Did a descent on the Stelvio in the snow. I heard afterward that people are being forcefully brought down by car. This could be handled more effectively. It feels a bit like the competition is being cancelled. It would be great if the finisher's t-shirt and other t-shirts could be made in a more sporty, high-performance style. Otherwise, nothing but praise for the beautiful course (well-marked) and the friendly, helpful volunteers. The ceremony is also fantastic.

There are adventures that change you. And then there are those that transcend you, that take you so far into hell that the return to life takes on a new flavor. The Icon Xtreme Triathlon in Livigno was one of those. The stage was set for a drama: 12-degree water that grips you, driving rain from the first pedal strokes, and this inhuman altitude for the "little Belgian" that I am. I was spared nothing. The 199km and 5000m of elevation gain, including the ascent of the Stelvio and its 48 hairpin turns, each one a battle. The descent, where the September snow surprised us, forcing us into a surreal break in a small church. And then, the grand finale. A marathon with 1670m of positive elevation gain, ending with a climb to 2900m. It was 11 p.m., and we were heading upstream on ski paths, in an inky black night, like "lost souls adrift." But if this path was terribly difficult, it is nothing compared to the bond it revealed. In the heart of the storm, I had a beacon. My team. Emilie and Guillaume. Every refueling, every piece of clothing handed out, every word of encouragement shouted into the wind was a thread that tied me to life. Their unconditional support and the desire to show my daughter that you must never give up gave me the strength to refuse to quit, to come back from the abyss. Today, thinking back on this madness, I know that the performance is anecdotal. What will remain engraved in me after 18 hours of effort is the power of this trio. This success is not mine, it is ours. And what if the ultimate goal of these insane challenges was simply to remind us of what is essential? For me, that will always be the love and unwavering friendship they gave me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

By far the toughest race I have ever participated in. This event is amazing and just for landscapes, you have to do it one time in your life. The swim is really cold, and for me, the buoys and lights are not enough to follow the course in good conditions but swim part is so cool when the night disappears slowly and the mountains the mountains are finally visible. The bike race is just WOOOOOOOW, as much for the eyes as for the legs. Don't check your Garmin or other computer, take a breath and enjoy the (long) ride. The race part is also cool. I prefer by far the part out of Livigno in nature section. The first half marathon is quite flat and if you have enough legs, you can easily run at your pace. In the second part of the race, forget about running, difficulty and fatigue are here... The last part is so steep, you want just one thing, finish the race and take a break at finish line. Really, this race is an event you have to do, for you. It's not only a race, it's a goal to prove yourself you can do it.