Nicole Leder Claims The Lotto Ironman Malaysia Title

Kevin Mackinnon interviews the women's champion from Langkawi last month

It was Lothar Leder who put it best on the hot February day in Langkawi. As race officials and photographers tried to push him into the finishing chute for a picture with his wife Nicole, who had just won Ironman Malaysia, he politely passed. "This day is all about Nicole," he said.

Despite her Ironman wins in Brazil, Korea and the Ironman distance race in Roth, Nicole Leder is often referred to as "Lothar's wife." That's what happens when you're married to one of Germany's most famous Ironman athletes and the first man to go under eight hours for an Ironman. In Malaysia, though, Lothar was right - his wife's patient race strategy got her to the line ahead of a stacked field. It really was her day.

“I never ever dreamed of winning in this stunning field,” the 35-year-old German said after her big win. “It’s really satisfying – I wanted to peak for Germany, but I’m already in good shape. With this win I can take it a bit easier.”

The win was anything but easy. Leder was quick to point out that the heat in Malaysia was extremely intense.

“It’s unbelievable heat on the run course,” she said. “The swim is OK – it’s hot as well. It’s hotter than Hawaii, the water. The bike course is pretty challenging … it’s always up and down so it’s hard to get a rhythm. The hardest thing is the run. We didn’t have any clouds, which made it worse.”

Despite the fact that she trailed the women’s leaders by almost 15 minutes starting the marathon, Leder remained calm as she worked her way through the field.

“It’s quite a normal thing for me, being behind after the bike,” she said. “I was comfortable with the gap after the bike behind Nina (Kraft) and Bella (Comerford). I was surprised to see Nina drop out – normally she never drops out – she’s really tough.”

“You have to be patient in this race, and I never gave up,” she continued. “I took it really easy in the beginning – it’s really early for us in the season. I had a lot of training in Germany in 10 degree weather, so I really held back on the bike.”

That patience paid off with an impressive win, and another chance to compete at the Ford Ironman World Championship in October.

“I’ve never had a good race in Hawaii – my best place is 10th place. I will go there – I’m very happy that I’ve qualified. First, though I have to concentrate on Ironman Germany – it’s a big race for our sponsors.”

Even before that, though, there’s the trip back home to see her daughter Mia, who served as inspiration during the toughest parts of the race in Langkawi.

“I think of her (Mia). It’s sometimes very hard for her when I’m training a lot or traveling for 10 or 14 days,” Leder said. “If I feel bad in a race I think of her and I say ‘Come on, you left her all the time for training, so grit your teeth and go through it.’”

It’s motivation that obviously worked. Leder’s impressive win in Malaysia makes her an early favorite to win the Frankfurter Sparkasse European Ironman Championship in Frankfurt this summer. Mia won’t have to watch mom on Ironman.com for that race – she’ll be close at hand to help motivate both of her parents.

You may contact Kevin Mackinnon at kmackinnon@ironman.com