The beautiful, if tactically challenging, cobblestone roads of Stockholm were privy to not just the elite World Triathlon Series races, but the ITU Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships, as well. It was a weekend so eventful, two photographers headed to the northern European country to capture the excitement.

With just over a third of the votes, the most popular this week’s Photo of the Year competition was the beautiful shot capturing the elite women coming into transition in front of Stockholm’s historic buildings. The quality of the picture capturing the calm water and brooding grey skies elicits an almost surreal feeling, as if it’s a shot from a film.

Camera settings photographer Janos Schmidt used for the photo:
Camera: Nikon D3
Exposure: f5.6, 1/1600
ISO: 800
Lens: 24mm

The battle for second was slightly more hard fought, as a number of photos finished within a few percentage points of each other. But this week’s runner-up went to the photo of Radka Vodickova (CZE)  flashing a playful pose. Too exhausted to stand, but pleased with her race, she gives a thumbs-up and a smile that lets it all hang out. Tired, happy, fulfilled. That’s a good triathlon day.

Here are the camera settings photographer Delly Carr used to take the photo and what he had to say about it:
Camera: Nikon D4
Exposure: f 2.8, 1/500th
Lens: 24-70mm
ISO 800.

“I smile when I see this pic, for despite the fatigue of competition and breath catching collapse at the finish line, Radka Vodickova gives me the thumbs up, expessing her joy in saying that this is a good life.”

Final Result