Ironman Mossel Bay 2025: Victories and tragedies

The Isuzu Ironman 70.3 Mossel Bay on Sunday 16 November was a day filled with excitement, sportsmanship and enthusiastic support from spectators.

- Chelsea Pieterse

The first batch of swimmers in the water. Kristen Schut was the first female athlete over the finish line. Photo: Torcia Media

(Photo: Torcia Media)

But it was also a day of tragedy. Two participants died after being extracted from the water during the swimming leg of the triathlon.

Spectators flocked to the Santos and De Bakke beach areas, many holding signs of support, others with cheeky messages cheering the athletes on.

The swimming portion of the triathlon started at Santos Beach just before 07:00 that morning, when the athletes took to the water to start stretch of a 1.9km.