Els Visser (NED)
Her life changed profoundly in 2014. While traveling in Indonesia, a boat she had taken with 24 other passengers sank in the middle of the night. Clinging for life in the wreckage, Els swam 8 hours to a nearby island where she was finally rescued by a passing boat the next day. This harrowing experience prompted her to live her life to the fullest.
She wanted to be an Ironman and raced her first one in 2017. She finished first of all age groupers. With an open mind, a “never look back” attitude, and untapped potential, she entered the pro triathlon ranks. A year later she became an Ironman Champion, and in 2019 she made her debut in Kona. For the coming years her focus remains on sport and she wants to become the best athlete she can be.
Challenge Wanaka will be a special race for Els. While being shipwrecked she swam for 8 hours, and did this together with Gaylene, a woman from Nelson. After the race in Wanaka she will travel there and this will be the first time that they reunite again. It’s going to be a trip to not forget and this race will be part of that.
“I’m going to make a very special trip to New Zealand. To top it off and make it unforgettable, this race has to be part of it. I am blessed to be able to race it!”