Crunch Time: Moments From the Norseman Ferry

Kevin Mackinnon

It is the longest ferry ride in triathlon. Athletes competing at the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon start their race day with a 2.4 mile ride on a ferry out to the race start for the point-to-point swim. The ferry leaves at 4 am for a 5 am race start.

As you can imagine, for the athletes getting ready to take on what is arguably the toughest triathlon in the world, it can be a nerve-racking journey – and that’s even before they have to jump into the cold water of the fjord for the swim back to Eidfjord.

Here are some photos from the morning trip by Kevin Mackinnon.

^{It’s time to go!}

^{Reigning champ Kristian Grue gets ready for another big day.}

^{Kona 2023 finisher Christelle Rocchi psyches up for the big day ahead.}

^{Roughly 20 minutes before the start the athletes have the option of getting wet under a cold shower to prepare for the water they’re about to jump into.}

We profiled Pernille Døsvik before the race (link below). She did end up getting a black shirt!

Nordic Skiing’s GOAT is at Norseman…to Support Pernille Døsvik

^{Time for the jump into the Fjord – the water started at about 15 degrees Celsius, but the temperature dropped dramatically for the final part of the swim.}

^{The last athlete into the water? Two-time Olympic gold medalist Alistair Brownlee!}

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Notable Replies

Triingtotrain says:

August 3, 2026

This looks epic!

I know the young guy in one of the photos above. Extremely talented athlete in my local area. He didn’t do any swim or bike training that I saw on Strava (but did a ton of mountain running). But is so talented he still ended up in the top 40 with a black shirt. Definitely an outlier. I’m sure everyone else spent much time doing the swim and bike training. If he had done that too, I bet he could have been in the top 10.

I had considered trying this back in my late 40sF. Wish I had. But that ship has sailed.
jhornebx says:

August 6, 2026

Kevin…any idea what sorta Scandinavian death metal Kristian Grue was listening to in his pic with the airpods!!! Would be curious to know…\m/

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