Search
shop

US triathlon star an early injury casualty of BRUTAL Nice bike course at IRONMAN World Championship

Rachel Zilinskas suffers a broken collarbone after a desperately unfortunate fall 10km into the bike section at the IMWC.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

The challenging bike course in Nice saw two early casualties at the women’s IRONMAN World Championship.

In stark contrast to its alternate home of Kona in Hawaii, the 180km bike section on the French Riviera features significant climbs to hillside villages and technical descents.

But the first exit came just 200 metres after T1 as German superstar Anne Haug, one of two former winners, was undone by a flat tyre – more details on that here.

Advertisement

Fast start

And there was also a desperately unlucky end to Rachel Zilinskas‘ race.

The American athlete was the winner of IRONMAN Mont Tremblant last year and fourth at IRONMAN Lake Placid in July.

Rachel Zilinskas IRONMAN Lake Placid 2024 run photo credit Patrick McDermott/Getty Images for IRONMAN
Rachel Zilinskas at IRONMAN Lake Placid 2024 [Photo credit: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images for IRONMAN]

And she had been in the lead group on the swim but her efforts to make sure she stuck with that front pack would end up costing her dear.

‘Broken collarbone, broken heart’

Writing on her Instagram page while the bike section was still in progress, she posted a picture of herself in an arm / shoulder support but with a thumbs up.

Explaining what had happened, she said: “Not the @ironmantri world championship update I wanted to share. Broken collarbone, broken heart 💔❤️‍🩹

“After a chaotic swim, I didn’t get the chance to fasten my shoes until after 10K into the bike.

“I bent down to secure the strap, hit a rock or a bump in the road that I didn’t see, and went down hard on my left side.

“I tried to keep going, but I could feel my clavicle moving around and the pain was immense. My first bike crash and my first DNF.”

Such a sad end to her IMWC bid and we wish her well with the recovery.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
TRI247 podcast
What is it really like to be a professional triathlete? NEW TRI247 x Challenge Family podcast takes you beyond the start lines this race season
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!)
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
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
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
latest News
Frederic Funk finish line Challenge Samarkand 2023 photo credit Challenge Family
Challenge Roth 2025: German star goes into the unknown in iconic triathlon showdown
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
‘It’s going to be an absolute firecracker’ says Cam Wurf after booking IRONMAN World Champs spot
Maya Kingma Karlovy Vary win 2024
Two-time Olympic triathlete joins top pro cycling team – and is set to race in Giro d’Italia
Oliver Conway World Triathlon Cuo win Saidia 2025
Breakthrough World Cup win – and Brownlee Racing spot – in memorable week for British youngster
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders moving again but taking it step by step in injury battle
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...