Search
shop

Contrasting emotions: Dubai reflections illustrate highs and lows of sport

Laura Philipp and Daniela Ryf both had plenty to be happy about after their head-to-head battle at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Saturday’s IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai was one of the first opportunities we’ve had to see some of the top contenders for big race wins this year – and notably the IRONMAN World Championship, St George in the first instance – go head-to-head.

While for some – Kristian Blummenfelt – it was a “crappy day from start to finish”, the Pro women’s podium walked away from Jumeirah Beach content with their days.

It was no surprise of course to see Laura Philipp and Daniela Ryf dominate by some margin. The primary question was who would come out on top and in this instance, it was Germany taking the title from Switzerland. With bigger targets to come, both Philipp and Ryf were more than happy with their performances.

Advertisement

Limits, what limits for Laura

Post-race, Philipp posted in her Instagram:

Wow! Speechless about my performance today at @im703middleeast Dubai🥇🏁
I came to test myself early in the season but didn’t expect to come away with the win and a new world best time of 3:53:03🤯
.
Big respect and shoutout to the amazing @danielaryf for pushing me above my limits today! 👊🏻

Thanks everyone for the amazing support out here and back home!❤️

Laura Philipp wins IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai 2022
Laura Philipp wins IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai 2022 (Photo Credit: James Mitchell / IRONMAN)

Healthy again

Second place is not one that Daniela Ryf often finds herself in. So much so, that it is only the second time in her long course career (Hawaii 2014 the first), that she has ever been on that second podium step.

Pre-race Daniela had spoken at the press conference about a difficult 2021 in which at times she had struggled with her health and not knowing what was going on. With that background, while she didn’t get to add a fifth win at the venue, there was plenty to be positive about.

Big respect for @laura_philipp_tri who was the more complete athlete today deciding the battle on the run finishing in the worlds best time over the 70.3 distance 👏🏼👏🏼

I am happy with my performance, i am finally feeling healthy again and have some power back on the bike. Leading a 2h 04‘ 24“ on 90k is a nice feedback that the indoor sessions and aero work are paying off. #hungryformore #trusttheprocess #keepbuilding

Daniela Ryf on the bike at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai 2022
Daniela Ryf on the bike at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai 2022 (Photo Credit: IRONMAN)

Hometown hero

The race will also provide incredible memories for third-placed Lottie Lucas, who was making her Pro debut on home soil.

“Standing on the podium next to 2 legends of the sport is a moment that I will never forget”

IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai 2022 Women's podium
IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai 2022 Women’s podium (Photo Credit: James Mitchell / IRONMAN)

False start for Frankie

Of course, sport can be a cruel mistress sometimes and for Great Britain’s Frankie Sanjana, her raced ended before it started. Literally.

Sanjana of course really found her racing feet in 2019, when after a few years frequenting the lower reaches of the top-10s in Pro racing, she made the sort of breakthrough that is always the result of years of effort. Winning IRONMAN 70.3 Les Sables d’Olonne, she then followed up with further podiums later in the season.

What should have been a springboard in confidence as well as performance, was soon followed by a (very) extended period of pain, tears and attempts to diagnose injuries that have prevented her even making a start line for well over a year, with just one 70.3 start since 2019.

Dubai should have been just that, with the joy of being able to race, at this early stage, being far more important than on course performance.

And then even that didn’t quite work:

So near and yet so far. I’ve never been this close to a race and had to make the decision not to start 💔

Been having a bit of stiffness / tightness in my hip for a couple of weeks; normally these little niggles fall away once the taper starts. This one has somehow got worse, and just walking / easy riding now hurts 😬

Flying home Sunday night, and very grateful to the doctors’ receptionist who deciphered my bawling down the phone to get me a Monday morning appointment 🙌

Frankie Sanjana IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai

Best wishes to Frankie, and we hope that this proves to be a short term blip and that she will be back on a race start line soon.

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Kristian Blummenfelt Kristian Hogenhaug Casper Stornes IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
Triathlon GOAT Mark Allen sends “great champions” message to red-hot superstar Kristian Blummenfelt
Zachary Josie bike
Age-group athlete with dwarfism says INCREDIBLE goal is “in his grasp” at Challenge Roth
Joe Skipper finished fifth at Challenge Roth 2023
Challenge Roth 2025: Triathlon star Joe Skipper comes back from the brink for another shot at iconic race
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth beer
Challenge Roth 2025: Laura Philipp backed to make triathlon history by crashing through magical time barrier
Challenge Roth press conference 2025
Challenge Roth 2025: Date, start times, how to watch live and who’s racing
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...