The European Ironman 70.3 Championships took place back in early July, yet months later the results have once again been rewritten. Initially, Lena Meissner was declared the winner. After a protest from Caroline Pohle, the title shifted to Meissner’s teammate and compatriot. But now, following Meissner’s own appeal, the decision has been reversed once more – and the crown returns to the original champion.
The chain of protests stems from a dramatic finish. With the race on the line, Meissner and Pohle charged shoulder to shoulder toward the finish chute, delivering what looked like a spectacular sprint showdown. Meissner crossed first, both athletes recording the same official time. Since triathlon doesn’t use photo-finish technology, Ironman officials were tasked with determining the winner.
Almost immediately, however, Pohle lodged a protest, claiming Meissner had impeded or blocked her during the final sprint, preventing her from overtaking. The jury sided with Pohle, awarding her the win – and with it, the European Championship title. The decision brought her victory, but also a wave of online backlash.
Meissner refused to let the matter rest. Within the three-day appeal window, she filed her own protest. The Swedish Triathlon Federation’s technical committee took up the case and their verdict was unequivocal: Ironman’s jury had committed two legal errors. First, a protest against a referee’s judgment call should not have been accepted unless there was evidence of bias or bad faith. Second, the sanction they imposed was not permitted under Ironman’s official rules.
As a result, Meissner has now been reinstated as the rightful European Ironman 70.3 Champion – closing a months-long saga that has left many questioning officiating standards at the sport’s highest level.