As the reigning Ironman World Champion on French soil (Kona was won by Patrick Lange in 2024, ed.), Sam Laidlow knows better than most what it takes to deliver a career-defining performance on the Côte d’Azur. Two years ago, the 26-year-old made history in Nice, becoming the first man to win the title outside of the United States and etching his name into triathlon folklore.
Now, with the World Championship returning to the French Riviera on September 14, Laidlow arrives not only as the defending champion but also as one of the form athletes in the sport. Victories at Challenge Roth and Ironman Leeds this summer have re-established him as the man to beat, following a rocky start to the season hampered by illness and injury.
More than just physical preparation
Laidlow has never shied away from the physical demands of Long Distance racing, but this year he appears equally invested in the mental side of the sport. His recent social media posts have given fans a glimpse into the mindset he’s bringing into Nice – one that blends confidence, gratitude, and perspective.
On Instagram, he asked: “The process. What do you tell yourself before a race?” before sharing a list of reminders he’ll be carrying into the IM World Championship:
- “Trust my own abilities, I’ve done it before. And I can do it again.”
- “Whatever the outcome of this race, good or bad, it doesn’t define my career.”
- “Being on the startline is a true privilege. I’ll never take that for granted.”
- “As Jan (Frodeno) once told me, it’s just another race… show up healthy, fit and ready to f*ck things up.”
Mind over matter
With his body responding well and fitness clearly peaking, Laidlow sees the mental game as the next frontier in his pursuit of back-to-back world titles. If he can combine the sharpness of his recent performances with the calm focus he is cultivating, a second victory in his adopted home country could very well be within reach.