Tristan's Story

Why I took up triathlon:
I wanted a new challenge. I was fed up with early morning outings rowing and felt I was a relatively small fish in a big sea when it came to competing. In my first year of triathlon racing, I've had much better results.

Motivation for applying for the academy:
I have hopes of representing my country, I believe the academy will help me achieve this goal.

Favourite discipline and why:
Running. I've always been quite nippy on the road even from a young age. I don't see the point of getting the bus or a taxi home when you can run instead. I also don't find it too difficult making the transition from cycling to running.

Least favourite and why:
Swimming. My technique leaves a lot to be desired. OAPs and children alike overtake me in the pool!

Vice you're going to have to surrender:
Guniness

My sporting idol is:
Lance Armstrong

What do you aim to have achieved by the end of the season:
Compete at Age Group Olympic distance triathlon in the World Champs 2007

Close

Louis's Story

Why I took up triathlon:
I wanted to keep up sport after leaving university & starting a job, and was attracted by the challenge & healthy ethic of triathlon. It's a sport that's really taking off in the UK - it's great to have so many races going on and so much talent up at the top end.

Motivation for applying for the academy:
It's an awesome opportunity to fuel my ambitions in the sport. I'd had a great time at London and finished faster than I'd expected so the academy sounded like the ideal next step forward.

Favourite discipline and why:
The bike stretch at London gave me a real taste for cycling – flying through the Limehouse link at 60km/hr was unreal! That said, one of things I love about triathlon is being able to vary my training between the disciplines.

Least favourite and why:
I'm not very well organised, so I'll go with the transitions on this one!

Vice you're going to have to surrender:
That's far too dangerous a question to answer!

My sporting idol is:
In the triathlon world I admire Tim Don for being a great racer & character. But my inspiration to get into endurance sports came much closer to home, from my bro Zein.

What do you aim to have achieved by the end of the season:
My main goal is to be under 2hrs at London this year. Still quite a way to go, but that's what the academy is for! Looking at how well the guys last year did, I'd like to be pushing for a place at the Worlds. I'm also keen to join a club, take part in many more races and most importantly to keep enjoying it all.

Close

Katharine's Story

Why I took up triathlon:
I have tri friends and it seemed like fun. I swam and ran when I was younger and had recently been cycling a lot. So I enjoy all 3 disciplines and liked the idea of the challenge of combining them.

Motivation for applying for the academy:
Never in my wildest dreams when I sent off my form did I think I'd be lucky enough to get in, so thought I had nothing to lose.

Favourite discipline and why:
Either swim or bike – just love both.

Least favourite and why:
Run: it's last and you feel very heavy and slow when you've just hopped off the bike, especially in comparison to the speed on the bike!

Vice you're going to have to surrender:
Going out late and being disorganised.

My sporting idol is:
I think I have 3: Kelly Holmes because of her sheer determination through all her years of injury; the rower Tim Foster for the same reason and incredible technical talent; and another rower, Steve Redgrave, for obvious reasons. Unbeatable and inspiring dedication and talent.

What do you aim to have achieved by the end of the season:
I would like to get as fit and as fast in all 3 disciplines as I am able. I haven't let myself think too far ahead or too high, so am concentrating on my goal being improvement – and wherever that may take me.

Close

Jessica's Story

Why I took up triathlon:
I have always been a keen runner and competed at a national level at school. I moved to Australia in 2001 to live a sporty lifestyle. I became a volunteer lifesaver on Bondi beach where I learned to swim well in the surf and competed in the Australian Lifesaving Championships. When I returned to England I was told about the triathlon and it sounded like the perfect sporting challenge. I had never cycled competitively but knew I could do the other elements well so it made sense to give it a go and I loved the London triathlon I did in 2006.

Motivation for applying for the academy:
I recently discovered triathlon and having come 2nd in my age group in my first triathlon (London 2006) I was keen to do more and see how far I could get. The academy offered me the perfect opportunity to reach my potential as I have always wondered what I could achieve with professional coaching. Now that I'm in, and am finding out more about it day by day, I am seriously excited and look forward to a gruelling year of pain and (hopefully) gain!

Favourite discipline and why:
Swim – it's first so less painful!

Least favourite and why:
Run – it's last and hurts a lot!

Vice you're going to have to surrender:
sleep, big nights out!

My sporting idol is:
Paula Radcliffe

What do you aim to have achieved by the end of the season:
To cut my time by 10-15 minutes, compete at European or world championships (fingers and toes crossed)

Close