Bianca Bogen and Lasse Nygaard Priester secured a stunning double win for Germany at Sunday’s IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping – taking the European Championship titles in the process.
Nygaard Priester’s victory saw him secure his fourth podium in as many races so far this season, although this was his first success, having finished second at both 70.3 Valencia and T100 San Francisco and third at 70.3 Pays d’Aix.
Taking the tape four minutes and 38 seconds ahead of his compatriot, Fabian Kraft, he was then six minutes and 14 seconds in front of third-placed Harry Palmer (GBR) in what was a relatively straightforward win.
German’s dominate with double success in Sweden
Nygaard Priester had set off for the half-marathon alongside Sweden’s Robert Kallin, with Kraft back in third, trailing by 1:18. However, with the eventual winner powering away and Kraft surging away, the Swede faded out of contention.
Finishing in a time of 3:33:50, he was able to ease through the final stages and celebrate yet another 2026 podium success.
American Marc Dubrick had been first out of the water as he completed the 1,900m swim in a time of 22:43. He was followed by a large group of 11 athletes, which included Fabian Meeusen (SUI), Cedric Osterholt (GER), Priester, Jannick Schaufler (GER), Johannes Vogel (GER), Kraft, Gabriel Sandor (SWE), and Neilan Kempmann (GER).
On the bike, it was Priester, Kallin and Kraft who made their move, with Kallin finishing first with a time of 01:56:44, Priester around a minute back, and Kraft alongside his fellow German.
Bogen, however, was forced to battle all the way to the finish line as she edged home by just 37 seconds ahead of France’s Marjolaine Pierre, who had stuck with the German for pretty much the entirety of the run.
Lena Meissner had been alongside them, but she dropped off the pace and fell away, allowing Denmark’s Anastacia Damm Nielsen to finish in third.
Bogen crossed the finish line in a time of 01:20:53, with Pierre coming in at 01:21:32 and Nielsen on 01:22:33.
Bogen had come out of the water in a leading pack of three athletes, which also included German Lena Meissner and Anna Harbo Maarupgaard Pedersen of Denmark.
IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping results
MEN
| Pos | Athlete | Swim | Bike | Run | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lasse Nygaard Priester | 23:15 | 1:57:30 | 1:09:31 | 3:33:50 |
| 2 | Fabian Kraft | 23:18 | 1:58:43 | 1:12:51 | 3:38:29 |
| 3 | Harry Palmer | 23:25 | 2:00:49 | 1:11:48 | 3:40:05 |
| 4 | Robert Kallin | 23:23 | 1:56:44 | 1:16:46 | 3:41:19 |
| 5 | Johannes Vogel | 23:16 | 2:00:36 | 1:15:28 | 3:42:57 |
WOMEN
| Position | Athlete | Swim | Bike | Run | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bianca Bogen | 25:13 | 2:16:40 | 1:20:53 | 4:06:51 |
| 2 | Marjolaine Pierré | 26:09 | 2:15:20 | 1:21:32 | 4:07:28 |
| 3 | Anastacia Damm Nielsen | 28:02 | 2:14:47 | 1:22:33 | 4:10:11 |
| 4 | Anna Bergsten | 28:13 | 2:14:13 | 1:23:07 | 4:10:47 |
| 5 | Anne-Sophie Pierre | 29:37 | 2:14:59 | 1:23:10 | 4:12:21 |
