Search
shop

DQs put Vicky Holland back on podium after she battles Raynaud’s in chilly Chile

'The fire is burning. Let’s see what 2024 brings!"
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

It may not have been the way she wanted to notch a first podium place since 2020, but third place at the World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mar on Sunday was a significant stepping stone for Olympic medallist and former World Champion Vicky Holland.

It was just a fourth race back for the Brit after giving birth to her first child nine months ago and writing in detail on social media, she gave her reaction to the dramatic events which unfolded as Katie Zaferes and three others – the leading quartet at the time – were disqualfied for taking a wrong turn midway through the run.

The DQs didn’t come until after the race but they meant that third-over-the-line Gwen Jorgensen was awarded the win, while Gina Sereno in sixth and Holland in seventh joined her on the podium.

‘I guess rules are rules’

Holland said on Instagram: “Where to start. Probably at the end, because context is everything. I was seventh across the line but four of the girls in front of me were disqualified for cutting the course, so I was promoted to third.

“Truthfully it was a minor infringement that maybe gained them a couple of seconds. I fully believe it was unintentional and I really feel bad for those girls, but I guess rules are rules. It’s a weird way to win a medal and honestly, doesn’t feel good. Podiums are absolutely what I shoot for, but getting them under these circumstances feels weird and definitely doesn’t bring joy. There are just no winners in today’s scenario.”

Vicky Holland third place World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mar 2023 Photo credit: World Triathlon / Wagner Araujo
[Photo credit: World Triathlon / Wagner Araujo]

Holland had performed superbly in difficult circumstances during the race, explaining: “With that said, there’s lot to say about my race. After swimming anything between poorly and terribly the first three races, today I led the swim. LED. THE. SWIM 🤯 I can’t overstate how happy I am with that! I swam alongside @djenyferarnold and was second up the beach as we headed to transition.”

Transition challenges

But it was at that point that the 37-year-old faced a significant additional challenge.

She explained: “This is where my problems began. I have Raynauds so I lose feeling in my fingers and toes in cold conditions. Sometimes it doesn’t even have to be cold and I lose feeling. The water temperature here was 14C and I just couldn’t get my wetsuit off. I barely managed my swim cap, eventually getting it off with the heels of my hands!

I wasted so much time stood in transition watching everyone blow by me as I tried not to panic and find some sort of dexterity in my hands. 

“Finally I was on my way and having lost the front pack, did everything I could to try to minimise the damage. T2 was also poor – this time because I couldn’t feel my feet so trying to get them into shoes took a couple of goes. I ran ok, nothing amazing, crossing the line seventh.

“Overall I’m delighted with my swim today, gutted that something I can’t control cost me the front pack and I’m a bit flat and empty with the podium result. I guess I’ll take some time to process it all but perhaps most positively, I got a cuddly toy to take back to my baby girl 🩷

“2023 has been a short but fun season. 4 races, 4 continents, a big variation in results, but the fire is burning. Let’s see what 2024 brings!”

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
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
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Chicago 2024 photo credit supertri
Georgia Taylor-Brown on enjoying her busy “year off” and wanting “to go out on a bit of a high”
challenge roth race ranger
Challenge Roth publish RaceRanger anti-drafting data from both pro races in a first for triathlon
Sam Laidlow celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
IRONMAN Leeds 2025: Date, start time and how to follow live
Anne Haug wins Challenge Roth 2024 [Photo credit: Simon Fischer | Challenge Roth]
Triathlon legend and current world record holder Anne Haug announces her retirement
Lovseth Perterer Sanchez IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
Rising Norwegian star underlines Kona claims and says that’s now the big goal
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...