Jesper Svensson, India Lee take inaugural Challenge Vansbro
The Challenge organization sought a new Scandinavian venue and found Vansbro, Sweden to its liking. The inaugural half Iron distance attracted a small but quality field and Swedish star Jesper Svensson and Great Britain’s veteran India Lee stood atop the men’s and women’s podiums after the battles were done.
Women
The Coronavirus epidemic delayed the start for two years, and Lee controlled the women’s race from the start. Lee took a 2:38 lead in the swim on home country favorite Sara Svensk, maintained a 2:20 margin after the bike leg and increased her advantage over Svensk to 3:35 when she crossed the line in 4:04:12. Jenny Nae of Sweden took the final spot on the podium.
Vansbro proved an excellent 30-day haul for the Britisher who joined the pacing squad of Kat Matthews in the Sub8 Project, took 3rd at the Ironman 70.3 European Championships and wrapped up her streak with a Scandinavian win.
Men
Olympic distance regular and middle distance newcomer Gabriel Sandor of Sweden survived a bout of cramps and found himself comfortable on the podium after the race. But Swedish star Svensson found a place in the top three after the swim, then made his move on the bike, creating a near 5-minute lead on Sandor starting the run.
Ognjen Stojanovic of Serbia supercharged his run, moving up to second place at the line. But he fell 3:55 short of Svensson’s winning 3:38:22, while Sandor took third.
Challenge Vansbro
Vansbro, Sweden
July 3, 2022
S 1.2 mi. / B 56 mi. / R 13.1 mi.
Women
1. India Lee (GBR) 4:04:12
2. Sara Svensk (SWE) 4:07:41
3. Jenny Nae (SWE) 4:21:46
4. Shiva Leisner (DEN )4:22:15
5. Rebekah Forström (SWE) 4:40:24
Men
1. Jesper Svensson (SWE) TOT 3:38:22
2. Ognjen Stojanovi (SRB) 3:42:18
3. Gabriel Sandor (SWE) 3:43:37
4. Benjamin Mark Andersen (DEN) 3:48:00
5. Sebastian Norberg (SWE) 3:49:29
