It may not have been the most competitive field on paper, but there was absolutely no doubt about India Lee’s form: the British triathlete delivered a commanding performance to take a resounding victory at Ironman Les Sables d’Olonne-Vendée, securing her ticket to the Ironman World Championship in Kona in the process.
Lee set the tone from the outset, exiting the water first with a swim time of 54:08. Though France’s Justine Guerard was hot on her heels at that point, the dynamic shifted dramatically on the bike. Guerard quickly lost contact, and from then on, Lee never looked back. With each passing kilometer, her lead grew steadily, and it soon became apparent that the race was hers to lose.
A small chase group formed behind, featuring the Netherlands’ Els Visser and Diede Diederiks, alongside Britain’s Simone Mitchell. Still, none could make a dent in Lee’s lead. By the time she reached T2, Lee had built an astonishing 17-minute buffer.
The marathon was a masterclass in control. Lee ran smart, steady, and unchallenged, maintaining her lead without any sign of strain. She crossed the finish line in an impressive 8:24:37, sealing a victory that was never in question.
Els Visser claimed second place in 8:44:35, while fellow Dutch athlete Diede Diederiks rounded out the podium with a 8:49:30.
