UIPM 2025 Biathle-Triathle and Laser Run World Championships: Sand, solidarity and success in Mossel Bay (RSA)
- Six days of spectacular beach racing unite multisport community
- Global stars and rising talents perform heroics across all age groups
- Inclusive festival sees Para athletes end season on a high
MOSSEL BAY: December 15, 2025 – A spectacular UIPM 2025 Biathle-Triathle and Laser Run World Championships enabled almost 1,000 athletes from around the world to enjoy six days of competition and celebration on the golden sands of the Western Cape.
This year’s championships marked the first time Biathle-Triathle and Laser Run crowns were contested in a single combined event, underlining UIPM’s commitment to growing multisport participation across ages and abilities.
It was one of the most inclusive competitions held in the history of UIPM Sports, with Para racing held across Biathle, Triathle and Laser Run attracting Para competitors from Egypt, France, Great Britain, Italy and South Africa.
South Africa will host the combined UIPM Biathle-Triathle and Laser Run World Championships again in 2028, in Cape Town. In October 2026 the merged competition will be hosted by Funchal, Portugal, while in 2027 it will be split between Bali, Indonesia (Biathle-Triathle) and Pune, India (Laser Run).
BIATHLE-TRIATHLE
From the opening day, the host nation lit up the competition with a dazzling display of performances. South Africa athletes dominated early action, claiming multiple gold medals, thrilling local supporters and showcasing the depth of talent in the region.
Across Youth, Junior, Senior and Masters categories, competitors embraced the sun-soaked course and delivered spirited, competitive racing from start to finish.
Star names and rising talents left their mark as the week progressed. Olympic pentathlete Alexandre Dallenbach of Switzerland and beach-sport specialist Lea Fernandez (FRA) stood out with exceptional versatility, each clinching gold in both Biathle and Triathle individual finals – a testament to their endurance, precision and tactical racing on land, water and through transitions.
Egypt dominated many of the youth categories while athletes from Australia, India and around Europe also scaled the top step of the podium, reflecting the global nature of the competition.
LASER RUN
As the focus shifted to the Laser Run World Championships, excitement soared. The Mixed Relay finals delivered thrilling drama, with Monaco and Lebanon joining the podium party and highlighting the growing competitiveness of Laser Run specialists.
The championships’ final day crowned champions across the full spectrum of age groups and disciplines, with standout victories for Julia Dale (MON) and Dallenbach (SUI) in the closing individual Laser Run races.
ATHLETE REACTION
Biathle, Triathle and Laser Run senior world champion Alexandre Dallenbach (SUI) said: “I’m happy to be triple world champion. It’s been an amazing week for me. I came here to put myself under the fire and finally settle that shooting. And it was a tough start, but I finally did it and I’m really, really happy.”
Laser Run senior world champion Julia Dale (MON) said: “It’s an absolute pleasure racing here. Every race brought a medal so I’m very, very happy and in the team we also had fantastic results – so we’re all very happy. Five races, five medals – all colours. Very happy with this result.”
Para athlete Rachel Massey (GBR) said: “It's been an amazing experience. I've never been to South Africa before, and it's beautiful. We've really enjoyed it, lots of friends, lots of smiles, and it's just been really good fun. That's what it's all about, meeting people and enjoying it and just being a part of it.”
Masters athlete Corne Lotz (RSA) said: “It was a tough and a long year. It's December now, and I had to go through the injuries, and I'm just relieved that it's finished now. My race is Monday. Was not great, but Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, up to today, all was gold. And I'm very happy and relieved. And I must say, it's a beautiful and a nice atmosphere. We really enjoyed it.”
Masters athlete Andra Novicka (LAT) added: “My week of competition at the World Championships included a 5th place in Biathle, a bronze medal in the Triathle and finally I was champion in Laser Run with a world title. The hardest part is the sea, very difficult and crazy, because I train in a pool. OK, very difficult, but it was a very nice competition, very nice organisation and super.”
PRESIDENTS’ REACTION
Rob Stull OLY, UIPM President, commented: “I would like to thank the South African Modern Pentathlon Association (SAMPA) for hosting an extraordinary festival of multisport on the beautiful sands of Mossel Bay. Frans van Niekerk and his team deserve huge credit for putting on a very special competition, as do all the staff and volunteers who contributed to a fantastic week on the Western Cape.
“The many hundreds of athletes who came here from 35 countries competed hard, made friends and made memories that will last a lifetime. These championships embodied our values of accessibility and community, bringing together all levels, abilities and age groups of athletes.
“South Africa has announced its return to the UIPM competition circuit in style in 2025, and I can’t wait for us all to come back here.”
Frans van Niekerk, SAMPA President, added: “We were very happy to host the UIPM 2025 Biathle-Triathle and Laser Run World Championships here in Mossel Bay, and it was good to see friendly faces and good competition throughout the week.”
FOLLOW THE ACTION
The UIPM 2025 Biathle-Triathle and Laser Run World Championships has now concluded, bringing the 2025 UIPM competition season to an end. Results are available at the UIPM website and via the UIPM Central app.
The UIPM 2026 season will begin with UIPM 2026 Pentathlon World Cup Cairo from April 8-12. In the meantime, follow UIPM / World Pentathlon on your favourite social media for off-season content:
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