Les triathlètes tarbais Jean-Christophe Holzerny et Nicolas Rigaux ont terminé à la 4e place, en équipe de deux, au Championnat de France de swimrun longue distance ce samedi 23 septembre, à Carcassonne.
Nouvelle discipline en pleine expansion, le swimrun a particulièrement réussi, le week-end dernier, aux deux triathlètes tarbais Jean-Christophe Holzerny et Nicolas Rigaux. Le binôme a, en effet, réalisé une très belle performance au championnat de France de la discipline en se hissant à la 4e place, derrière les ténors de ce dérivé du triathlon, dont le vice-champion du monde Tom Ralite.
Sur un parcours tracé dans et autour du lac de la Cavayère, à Carcassonne, une trentaine de binômes a pris le départ de cette épreuve qui consiste en un enchaînement de segments de natation et de course à pied, une vingtaine au total, pour un cumul de 4,8km de natation et de 25km de cours à pied, que les deux Tarbais du team Argon 18 ont bouclé en 3h05. Le tout en combinaison, avec chaussures, pull-boy, plaquettes et bonnet de bain tout le long. « On nage avec les chaussures et on court avec le pull-boy accroché à la cuisse », glisse Jean-Christophe, ravi de découvrir cette nouvelle formule si proche et pourtant très différent du duathlon.
From swimming to swimrun, and even triathlon
« I cannot reword »
« I cannot reword »
The goal was to run together.
« I introduced him to triathlon, he introduced me to swimrun. After a first race in Hossegor this summer, with another pair, I successfully teamed up with Nicolas in Carcassonne. He is an excellent partner, a strong swimmer and solid on foot, » enthuses Jean-Christophe Holzerny, equally moved. « The performance was secondary, the goal was to race together, » he emphasizes, praising both the athletic and human qualities of his young protégé, who is over 20 years his junior.
At 49 years old, Jean-Christophe has already proven himself in sports (which doesn’t stop him from having new projects!), but a promising sports career is on the horizon for Nicolas. At just 25 years old, and after an impressive record in swimming, he has become a firefighter officer in Essonne. He is already the vice champion of France in triathlon for firefighters (2022) and the vice champion of France in Swimrun for firefighters (2023).
Sport, a family affair for the Rigauxs.
And this season is not over yet. Indeed, on October 7th, Nicolas will participate in the T24 Xtrem Triathlon in Bormes-les-Mimosas, a 24-hour event, before competing in the swimrun world cup in Cannes and the Vieux-Boucau half-ironman. He will also take part in several trail races, including the SaintéLyon. Remaining loyal to his swimming club, he will also represent the TNC in the interclub competitions by diving into the water.
« The TNC has given me so much, both in terms of sports and personal growth, it’s the least I can do for my club, » he said. And at the same time, he will continue his training at the fire officer school in Aix-en-Provence this year. With the same enthusiasm and humility as in his sports practice. This mindset is shared by his entire family, with his parents being trail runners and his two brothers being rugby players.
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