Winners announced at first ever Global Triathlon Awards

World Ironman champion Gustav Iden and Commonwealth, World and Olympic champion Dame Flora Duffy were among the winners at a star-studded night at the Palais de la Mediterranee in Nice, France, for the inaugural Global Triathlon Awards (GTAs) on Friday 20 January.

The GTAs brought together the very best in triathlon, from current and former world champion athletes (including our No.1 male triathlete of all time Mark Allen) from across triathlon distances and eras, as well as leaders in the sport and cutting-edge brands and media, to celebrate and recognise outstanding contributions across the industry.

GTA partnered with Super League Triathlon, World Triathlon, Professional Triathlete’s Organisation, France’s Department 06 and Ekoi for the inaugural 2023 event.

Which athletes won at the Global Triathlon Awards?

A glittering ceremony hosted by Will McCloy and endurance sports legend Paula Radcliffe, saw Iden and Duffy walk away with the top athlete awards – Male and Female Athlete of the Year.

“I made a deal with Kristian (Blummenfelt) that no matter who won we would applaud,” said Iden after the ceremony, “so I looked over to Kristian and saw he was disappointed but still applauded so that was so good and it is so good to be appreciated by your peers. I think I am a worthy winner but so would the other nominees have been.”

Dame Flora Duffy said: “I am really proud to have won and definitely surprised because the women I was up against had incredible performances last year.

“The GTAs was so fun. I have never been to an evening like this for triathlon, never got dressed up or seen everyone so dressed up that I had to do a few double takes. It was a very special night and may this continue to happen year after year.”

Although both were unable to attend on the night, 2022 Ironman world champion Chelsea Sodaro took the Rookie of the Year Award, and Nicola Spirig was awarded the The Lifetime Kudos – Pro Triathlete gong.

All but the Kudos Awards were nominated by the public, with an expert judging panel of industry experts then whittling down the shortlist and picking the final winners. For 2023, the panel included Jordan Blanco, Stephane Diagana, Emma-Kate Lidbury, Tim Don and Chelsea Burns.

Other top tri name guests in attendance included Anne Haug, Ashleigh Gentle, Georgia Taylor-Brown, Taylor Spivey, Leo Bergere, Vincent Luis, Cassandre Beaugrand, Pierre Le Corre, Dorian Coninx, Leonie Periault, Connor Bentley, Kate Waugh and Sam Laidlow.

The 2023 Global Triathlon Award winners

Best Male Triathlete (Sponsored by Super League Triathlon): Gustav Iden
Best Female Triathlete (Sponsored by PTO): Dame Flora Duffy
Rookie of the Year (Sponsored by World Triathlon): Chelsea Sodaro
Outstanding Contributor (Sponsored by EKOI): Talbot Cox
The Lifetime Kudos – Contributor: Bob Babbitt
The Lifetime Kudos – Pro Triathlete (Sponsored by Department 06): Nicola Spirig
Best Swim Product: FORM Smart Swim Goggles
Best Bike Product: Zwift Hub
Best Run Product: LEVER System
Outstanding Nutrition Product: Maurten Hydrogel
Outstanding Tech Product (Sponsored by Department 06): Supersapiens

Top image credit: Activimages

Liz Barrett 220 Deputy Editor

About

220 deputy editor Liz Barrett started work on the magazine in 2007 as staff writer. Since then, she’s reported live from almost every major triathlon across the globe, including the Ironman World Championships, 70.3 Worlds, six ITU Worlds, Challenge Roth, the 2014 and 2022 Commonwealths, the London and Paris Olympics and the Rio Paralympics, to name but a few. Name a pro and chances are she’ll have interviewed them, so, unsurprisingly, she’s our go-to pro-athlete expert on the team. When not covering races, you’ll find her whipping words into finely-crafted shape for both the magazine and website.