'Marathon River Queen' Chelsea makes waves in Europe

New Straits Times

7 hours ago

PETALING JAYA: Having made Malaysian sporting history, open water swimmer Chelsea Ning Lee has set her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 21-year-old became the first swimmer in the world to complete the Marathon River Swim Series, an epic three-part challenge across Europe, after winning the final and most punishing leg, the 30km UltraEbre Swim Marathon in Spain, on July 4.
The feat earned her the title of "Marathon River Queen", an honour bestowed upon those who successfully complete all three marquee open water events — the 33km Flow des Gabarriers in France, the 13km Thames Marathon in the United Kingdom, and the UltraEbre — within a five-year span.
Chelsea did it in three.
"I honestly didn't expect to win, just finishing the race was already a big achievement for me," said Chelsea.
"I mean, no sane person wakes up on a Sunday thinking, 'Let's go swim 30km!' So to cross the line first was just an added bonus."
The series was created to unite the global open water community through a shared celebration of endurance, camaraderie and nature.
It also represents a unique sporting trifecta — from the scenic Charente River in the Cognac region of France, to the bustling stretch of the River Thames in the UK, and finally, the expansive Ebro River winding through Catalonia, Spain.
Chelsea completed the Flow des Gabarriers in 2023, followed by the Thames Marathon last year, before capping her journey with a triumphant performance at the UltraEbre.
Along the way, she raced alongside swimmers from Japan, the Netherlands, Germany and beyond — building international friendships and proving she could match the best.
Her efforts are all the more commendable given that open water swimming remains a niche discipline in Malaysia, with little in the way of mainstream exposure or structured development.
But Chelsea is determined to change that narrative.
Now, she has turned her focus towards a new goal — qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the 10km marathon swim is contested.
"What started as just me watching the Olympics on TV has now become my dream, to compete in LA2028," said Chelsea.
"I may not know exactly where to begin, but I know one thing, I'm not backing down. All hard work pays off eventually, and that's all that matters."
While she is still navigating the demands of university life, Chelsea is already eyeing her next big test — an ultra-distance swim in Norway next year, expected to be the coldest she has ever faced. And beyond that, perhaps one day, the English Channel.
"I want to inspire more Malaysians to embrace the spirit of open water," she said.