International Triathlon Union

Athlete Biography

I started swimming for my local club Oldbury Swimming Club when I was just
4 years old. It was here where my dad - Ian - taught me how to swim my first width!

From that day on it was clear that sport was for me, as I would love winning from an early age. I even loved swimming up an age group to be racing with and against the older girls.

My uncle Derek (who when I was younger I called Auntie Derek) first introduced me to the sport of triathlon when I was just 8 years old. It didn’t take long for him and my dad to realise I had potential. My training at that age was mainly on a Tuesday evening where I remember cycling around Langley Leisure Centre several times, then straight into the pool for 2 hours swim training, before finally running home with my dad. Quite an intense training day for an 8 year old!

I was entered into the Milk Series, which was held at Appleby, near to the Lake District, when I was 9 years old and ended up winning my first triathlon. At this age I wasn’t too worried about whether my glasses were taped to my helmet or my equipment was in the correct place, all I wanted to do was make my dad proud (naturally the competitor in me came out even at 9 years old!)

That was where and how this whole journey started …… under the guidance of my dad and Auntie, sorry I now mean Uncle Derek, my Triathlon seed had been planted.

Athlete Sponsors: TYR, PowerBar, Cervelo, Zipp, Oakley, Louis Garneau,

Athlete Language: English

Athlete Tri Entry Year: 1997

Athlete Hobbies: Being with my family and friends

Athlete Sports Hero: Chrissie Wellington and Lisa Norden

Athlete Proudest Moment: 2nd overall in WTS series 2013

Athlete Coach: Darren Smith