Search
shop

From Olympic heartbreak to joy of first WTCS win as emotions flow for Jeanne Lehair

Jeanne Lehair and Beth Potter were all smiles after their one-two in a dramatic women's WTCS race in Yokohama
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Jeanne Lehair called it “an almost perfect race” after she powered to her first ever WTCS victory – and podium for that matter – in Yokohama.

The Luxembourg athlete endured a challenging 2024, suffering heartbreak at the Paris Olympics when a mechanical on the bike took her out of the race when in contention.

So no wonder the emotions were flowing after a brilliant display in the torrential rain in Japan.

‘I realised I was solo’

She was in a front group of three in the swim, continued the good work on the bike and then never looked back from the moment she burst into the lead at the start of the 10km run.

By then Olympic champion Cassandre Beaugrand had already slid out in the wet conditions but Paris third Beth Potter and WTCS Abu Dhabi winner Lisa Tertsch did their best to close the gap on Lehair, all to no avail.

Lehair crossed the line four seconds in front of Potter and said on the live broadcast: “There’s a lot of emotion.

“I had an almost perfect race. I swam at the front thanks to getting on the feet of Therese [Feuersinger]. I then felt really good on the bike. We were only two at the beginning, it was pretty dangerous, so I thought that I needed to stay up front to avoid crashes. And in the run I just felt great – I went to the front and realised that I was solo.

“I couldn’t really enjoy the moment though because I was thinking that this might be the only opportunity of my life to win a race [like this], so don’t mess up.

“My legs felt alright but my belly was killing me – I think it was so painful, that I was forgetting the legs. When I saw that Beth was coming, together with Lisa, I thought ‘oh my God, they might catch me’… but my legs were enough.

“I hope I will have other chances like that, but I will enjoy this one.”

Jeanne Lehair Beth Potter WTCS Yokohama 2025
Jeanne Lehair and Beth Potter at the finish line [Photo credit: World Triathlon]

‘I just needed another five seconds’

Potter meanwhile was happy with her performance in the circumstances, having got so close to the win on her first WTCS appearance of the season.

She said: “It was just hard. I’m quite a small person, and I struggle when I get cold, so the water was borderline for me, and then the air temperature was not super warm, so it took me quite a few laps on the bike to make me feel myself.

“But yeah, I’m happy with where it’s at. Last year was such a big year. The last three years have been really big and so to come here and still be competitive and nearly get the win, I think that’s not a bad opener.

“I just ran my own race to be honest and I think I paced it almost perfectly – I just needed another five seconds.”

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
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Danielle Lewis (USA) takes the win in Lake Placid.
WATCH LIVE NOW: IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 – can Lewis and Foley defend titles?
Ruth Astle
Triathlon star Ruth Astle says injury hell has her on the brink of QUITTING
Sam Long bike leg IRONMAN 703 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Sam Long on an ‘old school’ hire bike but happy to be back riding again in build up to Nice
Georgia Taylor Brown Santa Vall gravel race 2025 photo credit Santa Vall and Gravel Earth Series
Kate Waugh and Georgia Taylor-Brown among strong British line-up at T100 London
Triathlon superstar Hayden Wilde to make shock comeback at London T100
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.

£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

£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...