The current World Champion stormed to victory in the Frankfurt-based event – recording the second fastest time ever by a woman.

Despite suffering with a hamstring injury, Wellington's time of 8:51:25 came within 32 seconds of breaking Zimbabwean Paula Newby-Fraser's world record set in 1994.

"Being crowned European champion has to go down as one of the best and most memorable experiences of my life," said Wellington, who lived in Bury St Edmunds until she was 18.

"The German passion and enthusiasm for the sport is unrivalled and I revelled in the atmosphere."

After turning professional in February 2007, the former Thetford Dolphins Swimming Club member has failed to lose a single Ironman event.

The 31-year-old triumphed in her debut race in Korea in August last year, before shocking the world by winning her first-ever World Championship event in October.

Ironman is a step up from the Olympic sport triathlon – each discipline is tougher as athletes tackle a 2.4-mile swim, before a 112-mile bike race and 26.2-mile run.

"I have to train very hard to stay at the top but I really enjoy the challenge," she added.