When India Lee signed up for an Ironman triathlon last year, the aim was just to do enough to earn a spot on the T100 Triathlon World Tour and push back retirement.

A year on, she sits second in the overall standings going into the penultimate race of the season with a possible overall victory still on the cards.

The 30-year-old is in Las Vegas for this week’s latest stop on the tour, fresh from a third-place finish in Ibiza last month.

And given how close she was to calling it quits on her whole career, Lee is making the most of every opportunity.

She explained: “This time last year, if it hadn’t played out the way it did, it was probably quite unlikely that I would still be racing at this time of this year. 

"The fact that I got myself into the position I did and I’ve been able to capitalise on it, I’ve taken the opportunity. It meant a lot to me to be part of it and I didn’t want to waste that chance. I’m glad that it’s gone well.

“It’s a pretty cool position to be in. This time last year I was doing an Ironman just to get enough points to boost my ranking high enough to get a start on the tour. 

"So to be a year on and to be right in the thick of it at the pointy end of the season is really cool. I would have taken your arm off if you had said that to me a year ago.

“I wasn’t expecting it so I guess it’s been a bit of a surprise that everything has come together the way it has. Every sportsperson relies on a bit of luck and I’ve drawn some good hands this year.

“It’s been a decade of hard work to have a lucky year.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Lake Las Vegas, where the race is being held, is approximately 20 miles east of the famous main strip, with triathletes out on their bikes and running in the Nevada desert as they tune up for the race.

While conditions are currently blisteringly hot, the weather is expected to change in time for the race, much to Lee’s delight as she looks to take advantage of some good end-of-season form.

She added: “We’ll all appreciate it being a bit cooler than 30 degrees. I’m feeling pretty good. I’m excited to race, it should be a tough course and there are plenty of good people here.

“The plan for the year was to build up to these last few races because they are the ones that really matter, especially with the grand final coming up. I’m pleased, Ibiza showed that I’m rounding into some good form for this part of the year."