Search
shop

Nicola Spirig marks end to triathlon career with win

It was an emotional day for the Swiss legend as she capped an incredible final year in the sport
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing


Five-time Olympian Nicola Spirig ended her glittering triathlon career with a victory in Locarno on Sunday.

The Swiss superstar, 40, previously confirmed that she would retire after the 2022 season and that the race in her homeland would be her last as a professional.

Spirig, who eradicated any doubts over her Captains’ Pick for last month’s Collins Cup with an emphatic win in match #4, showcased her class once again as she triumphed in the Olympic distance event.

After crossing the line in 2:01:26, ‘Superfrau’ took to Instagram to thank her family, coach and supporters.

Fitting sign-off

Collins Cup 2022 Nicola Spirig photo credit Darren Wheeler and PTO
Nicola Spirig claims victory in Collins Cup match #4 last month [Photo credit: Darren Wheeler / PTO]

“It was a very emotional day with fantastic weather, amazing scenery of Locarno and such a nice atmosphere with everyone cheering and being a part of my last race, really made the day special, thank you so much,” she wrote.

“Happy to finish with a good performance and a win, and really appreciate my husband [Reto Hug] supporting me and my coach Brett [Sutton] coming to Locarno with his whole family, plus good friends enjoying the last triathlon with me.”

Spirig signs off as a seven-time European Champion, a two-time Olympic medallist, including gold at London 2012, and with over 20 World Triathlon titles to her name. Earlier this year, she broke the eight-hour barrier in a full-distance triathlon at the Sub8 project.

Although her triathlon journey is complete, Spirig has one more race on her agenda in 2022 – the Greifenseelauf half marathon in Zurich later this month.

Olly Green
Written by
Olly Green
Olly is is been the content lead for RUN247, is a regular contributor to TRI247 and keeps an eye out for content that appeals to both audiences including interviews with pro Heather Jackson.
Discover more
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
Alex Yee wins Super tri Toronto 2025
Supertri Toronto 2025 men’s results: Stunning triathlon return from Olympic champ Alex Yee
Jolien Vermeylen wins Supertri Toronto 2025
Supertri Toronto 2025 women’s results: Jolien Vermeylen stuns big guns for famous DEBUT win
Alex Yee supertri Neom 2024 win Photo credit: Darren Wheeler | supertri
WATCH AGAIN: Supertri Toronto 2025 as Brownlee Racing make a PERFECT start
Sam Long wins IRONMAN 703 Gulf Coast 2023 [Photo credit: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images for IRONMAN]
Sam Long opens up on US triathlon stars struggling in Europe after big move brought ‘complete mental breakdown’
lionel sanders wins oceanside 2024 [Photo credit: Donald Miralle / IRONMAN]
Lionel Sanders pinpoints the BIGGEST difference from Mark Allen era of triathlon
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...