The race over the Xonrupt course in northeast France has a reputation for being the most gruelling of its kind on the world circuit.
Beginning with a 1500m swim, it then encompasses an 1800m climb on a 34km mountain-bike leg, followed by a 700m vertical rise on the 10km run to the finish.
After a mass start of almost 2000 competitors, Currie emerged from the water in second place behind Ben Allen (Australia).
''My goal was to minimise the damage on him and I think I exited the water only about 30sec behind,'' Currie said of having a good start in just his second race on the European circuit.
For Currie, the swim stage proved a walk in the park for what was to come.
He began the mountain-bike section with an energy-sapping 30min climb, during which Currie found himself battling world No 2 Asa Shaw (Britain).
But digging deep and drawing on reserve energy, the Coast to Coast champion was able to pull away from the Brit, only to then be caught by world Xterra champion Ruben Ruzafa (Spain).
''We raced together for about an hour, putting passes on each other and hurting each other a lot, and then he blew me to pieces in the last few kilometres.
"It was a ridiculously tough day but I was really happy with my performance.''
Currie surrendered a 3min advantage to Ruzafa because of cramping in the final stages of the mountain-bike stage.
Overcoming his cramps in the early stages of the run, Currie quickly set about the task of reining in the world champion, but it was all too little too late.
The 3min deficit proved a bridge too far as Ruzafa broke the tape in 3hr 14min 41sec, to finish 59sec clear of Currie in second place, with over 3min back to third-placed Kris Coddens (Belgium), who completed the course in 3hr 18min 1sec.
''I have never, ever, raced so hard, with someone like that, who pushes me that intensely, but it was a good feeling to know I can make up so much time to Ruben on the run.''
Currie was looking forward to racing the world champion a third time next weekend in the Xterra Sweden.
