Julie Derron was never considered the top favorite for the Ironman World Championship in Kona, but she was certainly one of the dangerous outsiders. Whether she could have lived up to that role, we will now never know. The Swiss athlete has made the ‘difficult decision’ to withdraw from the race this Saturday due to health issues stemming from a crash in August.
“I am very disappointed as I was really looking forward to the experience and to racing the best women in the world”, said the Paris Olympic silver medalist and T100 winner. “But for now I will focus on getting healthy and will be cheering extra hard for my partner in crime (and sister, ed.) Nina Derron. She’ll do us both proud on the big island.”
Derron immediately stressed her motivation to return and race in Kona next year.