Search
shop

Shipwreck survivor Els Visser inspired by Sam Long and Lionel Sanders’ swim battles

After finishing last in Singapore last year, Dutchwoman turns things around in stunning style.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Els Visser made the most of her wildcard chance, finishing third after a dramatic Singapore T100.

The Dutchwoman has now raced four times this season and made the podium in every one of them – but this was against by far the highest-quality field.

And it was all the more impressive as she had four minutes to make up after the swim.

She came through late on the run to overtake fellow wildcard Lucy Buckingham and move into third behind winner Ashleigh Gentle and runner-up Lucy Charles-Barclay.

Advertisement

From last to third

And speaking afterwards on the live broadcast, she revealed how she’d been motivated by the exploits of two of the highest-profile middle-distance men, Sam Long and Lionel Sanders.

She explained: “I think I surprised myself and I surprised all the others as well. And for me, it’s just kind of a dream to be on the podium with Ashleigh and Lucy. I never expected to finish on the podium.

“I finished last [of the 22 finishers] at the PTO European Open last year. And I was also last here in Singapore last year.

“But I keep working hard. And I know that my swim is not the strongest, but Sam Long and Lionel Sanders have been so inspirational to me because it really showed me that you can still do super well even if you swim s***.

“I’m not a good swimmer. I know, but I just accept it. I move on, I try to ride super hard and give it my all. So, yeah, I’m super proud.”

Visser of course famously survived a shipwreck before taking up triathlon so her “I’m not a good swimmer” quote is all relative.

Els Visser t100 Singapore 2024 run finish photo credit PTO
Els Visser bags a podium place in Singapore [Photo credit: PTO]

In the moment

She added: “My coach said just focus on yourself no matter the circumstances, the only thing you worry about is yourself, so that’s what I did.

“I came out of the water and I thought now just go to work, push hard on the bike, just be patient and I really made up some time to the other girls. I got closer and closer and in the last lap, my legs really started cramping.

“I didn’t know how I would feel on the run and it took me a while to find my rhythm but I really found the rhythm and just super happy I could overtake and stay in front.”

And chatting to TRI247’s Jenny Lucas-Hill, Visser revealed she enjoyed the nature of the bike course, saying: “It’s got a couple of really hard climbs where you have to come out of the saddle. With the heat, it makes it incredibly challenging.

“It was nice having the eight laps though, so you could really focus on each one and count down. That was my approach and I tried not to look too far ahead.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
tri-fit vortex tri suit review
TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance
Maja Stage Nielsen Kat Matthews Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas 2023 podium photo credit IRONMAN
PremiumRacing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
Cadomotus chronos aero triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
latest News
Alex Yee Cassandre Beaugrand gold medals supertri Boston photo credit supertri
WTCS French Riviera 2025: Date, start times and how to watch Yee and Beaugrand in races of the season so far
Georgia Taylor Brown T100 London 2025 bike
Olympic superstar GTB looking to learn from London at T100 French Riviera
Hayden Wilde wins T100 London 2025
T100 French Riviera 2025: Date, start time, who’s racing and how to watch live
Jeanne Lehair Georgia Taylor Brown Fanni Szalai Supertri Chicago
Supertri Chicago 2025 women’s results: Lehair holds off Olympic star Taylor-Brown
Alberto Gonzalez Garcia wins Supertri Chicago
Supertri Chicago 2025 men’s results: Speedy Gonzalez Garcia STUNS the big names
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...