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Despite DQ, Sam Laidlow given validation at Ironman Vitoria-Gasteiz so he can race in Kona

After finishing the race in Spain despite his disqualification, reigning world champion given validation spot for Kona

Photo by: Kevin Mackinnon

As the reigning world champion, France’s Sam Laidlow (pictured above winning in Nice last year) will receive a five year champion exemption to the Ironman World Championship. He does, however, have to validate his starting spot at the race. Here’s what that means, according to the Ironman rules:

“Validation Race” means racing competitively (as determined by Ironman in Ironman’s sole discretion) and finishing at least one (1) Qualifying Ironman (excluding the 2023 Ironman World Championship) OR two (2) Qualifying Ironman 70.3 (excluding the 2023 Ironman 70.3 World Championship) events that offers Pro qualifying slots during the 2024 Ironman Qualifying Year. (Period ending August 19, 2024, for Ironman events and period ending June 30, 2024, for Ironman 70.3 events).

You’ll likely notice the “racing competitively” component to the definition. That was put in place to ensure pro athletes didn’t just validate their slots by going and finishing a race (for example, walking the marathon).

World champ DQ’d, record-setting bike split … and lots more drama at Ironman Vitoria-Gasteiz!

 

T100 contract

In the crazy world of pro triathlon we live in right now, Laidlow has signed a contract with the Professional Triathletes Organisation to compete at the T100 World Triathlon Series. That doesn’t give him a lot of room to nail that validation slot – he had just one race on his schedule to do that, Ironman Vitoria-Gasteiz last weekend.

After failing to stop at the penalty tent after he was given a drafting penalty, Laidlow was disqualified at the event in Spain. Laidlow chose to complete the race and appeal the penalty. It’s uncertain why Laidlow was even given that option – a drafting penalty is not an appealable offence, but nonetheless, he did finish the race.

Ironman has made it official now – Laidlow has validated his spot for Kona.

Here’s the statement from Ironman:

At Sunday’s Ironman Vitoria-Gasteiz triathlon, Sam Laidlow was disqualified for failing to serve a drafting penalty but, in line with the Ironman Competition Rules, chose to continue the race and exercise his right to protest after his finish. Sam raced competitively until the end and was the second professional male to cross the finish line.  Sam proceeded to follow the protest process on site, but the competition jury upheld the disqualification, meaning Sam was not eligible for Ironman Pro Series points or prize money.  

Sam Laidlow’s completion of the Ironman Vitoria-Gasteiz triathlon meets Ironman’s written 2024 policy on the Ironman World Championship validation, which stipulates that an athlete must race competitively and finish an Ironman triathlon (or two Ironman 70.3 triathlon races) within the qualifying period.  

Sam followed the onsite protest process, acted professionally throughout, and most importantly, showed respect to the process and his fellow competitors, all of which is in the spirit of the sport and reflective of Sam’s professionalism. Sam’s completion of the event matches the fulfilment of other validation eligible athletes and the spirit of the policy extended accordingly.

We look forward to welcoming him back to Kona for the 2024 edition of the VinFast Ironman World Championship.