The Gear Behind the Glory: A Deep Dive into the Norwegian Sweep in Nice
In September 2025, the picturesque coastline of Nice witnessed triathlon history: a clean sweep of the podium at the IRONMAN World Championships by Norway’s finest: Casper Stornes, Gustav Iden, and Kristian Blummenfelt. But behind their world-class fitness and strategy lay another decisive factor: their gear.
From precision-engineered TriSuits to scientifically formulated nutrition, the pros left nothing to chance. At Sported, we’ve curated the very same performance products trusted by the world’s best, so whether you’re lining up for your next IRONMAN, targeting T100 Dubai or local Olympic distance event, you can access the same marginal gains that make a major difference.
TriSuits That Made the Podium
Surpas: Worn by Iden & Blummenfelt
Both Gustav Iden and Kristian Blummenfelt opted for Surpas Insane TriSuits, a high-performance line born from the design labs of Trimtex and engineered for elite racing. Surpas suits are crafted to deliver:
- Superior aerodynamics in the bike position
- Laser-cut ventilation zones for heat management
- Ultra-lightweight compression for muscle support and reduced fatigue
Blummenfelt, a long-time advocate of the Norwegian model of performance marginal gains, swears by kit that’s as performance-driven as his training, Surpas fits that bill precisely.
✅ Available at Sported: Explore Surpas TriSuits built for elite-level performance in UAE conditions.
Fusion: Casper Stornes’ Winning Choice
Stornes, who stormed to his first IRONMAN World Championship title, wore a Fusion Tempo! Pro TriSuit, a brand known for its Scandinavian design ethos and technical fabrics. Fusion suits are prized for:
- Balanced compression across all disciplines
- Minimal water absorption for quicker transitions
- Comfort-first chamois design for long-course endurance
For triathletes training in Dubai’s heat, Fusion delivers a race-day advantage rooted in comfort and consistency.
✅ Explore Fusion at Sported: Trusted by champions, designed for your goals.
Swimskins: The Unseen Essential
While specifics of each athlete’s swimskin weren’t publicly confirmed, it’s widely accepted that non-wetsuit legal races, like Nice, demand the use of high-quality swimskins for drag reduction and speed. At Sported, we stock race-legal swimskins from BlueSeventy, each engineered for:
- Hydrophobic fabric technology
- Low-profile zipper and seam construction
- Optimised buoyancy and fit
Choosing the right swimskin can shave seconds, or even minutes, off your swim time and set the tone for a strong race.
Fueling the Finish: Nutrition & Hydration Choices
Maurten: The Official Nutrition of the IRONMAN World Championships
Two of the three Norwegian podium finishers have partnered with Maurten, the science-backed nutrition brand renowned for its hydrogel technology. As the official partner of IRONMAN, Maurten provided:
- Gel 100 & Gel 100 Caf 100 for energy and focus
- Solids to provide stable fuel without GI distress
- Drink Mix 320 for maximum carb absorption
Gustav Iden has publicly shared how Maurten fuels his training and racing, down to lab-tested carb absorption rates. If you’re serious about performance, fuelling like the pros is non-negotiable.
✅ Fuel up like the Norwegians with our full Maurten collection
Precision Fuel & Hydration: The New Standard on Course
For the 2025 IRONMAN World Championship, Precision Fuel & Hydration joined as the official on-course electrolyte and carb provider, marking a shift towards highly customisable fuelling strategies. Their range, PF 30 gels, drink mixes, and electrolyte tabs, are engineered for clarity, simplicity, and performance. What sets Precision apart is its science-backed approach to sweat and sodium loss, helping athletes match their fluid and fuel intake to real physiological needs. For age-group triathletes racing in the UAE’s extreme conditions, getting your carbs, fluids, and sodium dialled in, just like the pros, is no longer a guesswork game.
✅ Now at Sported: Discover Precision Fuel & Hydration and personalise your nutrition strategy for peak performance.
Tririg Carbon Bottle Cage: Stornes’ Hydration Strategy
When it comes to aerodynamics and hydration, TriRig was the unanimous choice among the top three at the IRONMAN World Championships. Each athlete integrated TriRig components into their race setup to optimise performance across Nice’s demanding terrain.
- Casper Stornes relied on the minimalist yet secure KAPPA Cage for hydration, paired with the KAPPA Saddle Cage for seamless rear-mounted access.
- Gustav Iden went all-in with a high-performance setup including the ELEVATOR front mount, KAPPA Cage, BETA One hydration system, and BETA Saddle Bracket, an aero and hydration combo engineered for efficiency.
- Kristian Blummenfelt ran a streamlined rear system using the KAPPA Saddle Cage, favouring clean lines and accessible hydration.
Staying hydrated can make or break your race, TriRig ensures you stay on top of it.
✅ Available now: TriRig Hydration Systems
The Marginal Gains: Headbands, Shoes & More
Omius Headbands: Cooling in the Côte d’Azur
Visible on Stornes throughout the run, the Omius headband uses evaporative cooling paired with lightweight carbon inserts to:
- Reduce core temperature
- Improve focus and performance under heat stress
- Prevent sweat dripping into eyes or goggles
It’s a small detail, but one that helps age-groupers training in the UAE’s climate gain better performance and comfort.
✅ Beat the heat: Shop Omius Headgear
Why This Matters for You
The podium at the IRONMAN World Championships wasn’t just won by talent, it was earned through years of training, precision nutrition, and smart gear choices. What you wear, how you hydrate, and what you fuel with are performance tools you can control.
At Sported, we believe your gear should work as hard as you do. That’s why we only stock brands and products tested by triathletes, trusted by champions, and proven on the world stage.
Watching Stornes, Iden and Blummenfelt dominate on the Côte d’Azur was a clear reminder that excellence is intentional. At Sported, we’re proud to offer UAE triathletes access to the same gear trusted by the world’s best. If you’re serious about reaching your personal best, make sure your kit is as focused as your training.
👉 Explore our curated range of pro-level gear
Posted on 21st Sep 2025
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