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.

Advertisement

‘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
TRI247 podcast
What is it really like to be a professional triathlete? NEW TRI247 x Challenge Family podcast takes you beyond the start lines this race season
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
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
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
latest News
Kristian Blummenfelt wins IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025 results: Blummenfelt defends title on drama-packed day
Magnus Ditlev run Challenge Roth 2024 Photo credit: Simon Fischer | Challenge Roth
Crazy scenes as Magnus Ditlev is shown a red card but runs on at IRONMAN Frankfurt
Jess Learmonth 703 Ironman Nice win 2025
IRONMAN 70.3 Nice 2025 results: Learmonth and Van Riel star in the south of France
Tjebbe Kaindl Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee 2025
Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee 2025 results: First middle-distance wins for Kaindl and Jansen
Kristian Blummenfelt Kristian Hogenhaug Casper Stornes IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
WATCH AGAIN: IRONMAN Frankfurt as Blummenfelt reels in Høgenhaug
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

Share to...