Pierre Dupuy and Carolin Meyer Claim Victory at Challenge Vieux Boucau 2026

The Challenge Vieux Boucau welcomed athletes to France’s wild south-western coast this weekend, amid sand dunes, seemingly endless beaches and a spectacular inland saltwater lake. Sheltered from the waves, the swim, fast and varied bike course, and run through pine forests created an ideal setting for the triathletes.

Held in this lively seaside resort, where surf culture meets triathlon, the event once again sold out, with more than 3,200 participants across the different formats.

© Challenge Family

© Challenge Family

© Challenge Family

© Challenge Family

One of the favourites for the L-distance race, Pierre Dupuy, who is based in Aix-en-Provence but hails from south-western France, had to work hard for the win. He exited the water first in 23:01, with Gaspard Tharreau right behind him, but Pierre Dupuy was quickly passed by Britain’s Joshua Lewis in the opening kilometres of the bike. Behind them, a group of eight chasers was led by Germany’s Maximilian Sperl.

© Challenge Family

© Challenge Family

Unwilling to settle for second, Dupuy paced himself over the 90 km bike leg and caught Lewis around the 60 km mark. But the duel was far from over. For the next 20 kilometres, the two men played cat and mouse, overtaking each other several times while respecting the rules and staying outside Challenge Family’s 20-metre drafting zone.

Dupuy’s frustration was clear to see. In the end, the Frenchman reached the second transition first, with a few seconds in hand, and headed out at the front for the final half-marathon.

He quickly opened a gap on Lewis, whose withdrawal early in the second lap confirmed his struggles. Dupuy then held a four-minute lead over fellow Frenchman Quentin Barreau, while another Frenchman, Enzo Bourdon, was a further 1:30 back in third.

From there, Dupuy only had to manage his advantage. Barreau did reduce the gap, but the leader had too much in hand.

In front of an enthusiastic French crowd, Dupuy claimed his second victory in a month, following his win at the Gérardmer XL triathlon. Quentin Barreau finished second after halving his initial deficit, while Enzo Bourdon completed an all-French podium.

I’m very happy with my race. I gave it everything on the bike and was very pleased with my run after that intense effort. I was strong on the run, and it was fantastic to win in front of my home crowd. The spectators were incredible and pushed me all the way to victory.

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In the women’s race, Britain’s Jasmine Holmes led out of the water in 26:53, with Frenchwomen Juliette Lucet and Eva Marsac right on her feet. Holmes was first onto the bike, but Juliette Lucet soon took control.

Behind them, Germany’s Carolin Meyer gradually worked her way through the field after exiting the water nearly two minutes behind the leaders. At the 40 km mark, the German moved into the lead. Together with Lucet, she gradually extended the gap over the chasers, taking turns at the front. In the closing kilometres, Lucet tried to shake Meyer but reached the second transition with only a five-second advantage.

Behind them, Frenchwomen Eloise de Luart and Sofia Aguayo battled for third through much of the bike leg. But Finland’s Minttu Hukka, ninth out of the water, produced an impressive comeback to take third at the end of the bike, 5:30 behind Lucet.

© Challenge Family

© Challenge Family

© Challenge Family

© Challenge Family

© Challenge Family

The race would therefore be decided over a thrilling final run. Juliette Lucet initially held off Carolin Meyer, maintaining a lead of around 10 seconds through the first of four laps.

But midway through the second lap, the two women were running shoulder to shoulder. Over the final two laps, Meyer took control and opened a gap before securing her first professional title in 4:07:19. Lucet finished second, 1:20 back, ahead of Finland’s Hukka in third.

It was a great race and everything went really well. I had a good swim in the second group, then caught Juliette on the bike. After that, it all came down to the run. The bike course was very fast and I really enjoyed it. When we were running side by side, I stayed focused on myself and kept my pace. I’m so happy it paid off.