Last Thursday week I had the chance to race in the GE Canary Wharf
Triathlon an Elite Series race alongside the likes of the ‘Don’ , Richard Stannard and a host of
other top class professional triathletes from the UK, USA, Australia and South
Africa. It was certainly a big jump up from what I am used to and so I was
really nervous but I did know a few of the others racing such as fellow HPU club
mate Alex Mcibben and Eastern Region academy colleagues Alice Sharpe and Georgia Schwienieng along with
fellow Swim club member James Davis, who was equally as nervous as I was, but had no need to be as it proved
but having them around me helped to make me feel more at ease and helped to ensure I enjoyed such a great event.
Our heat was delayed following a bike accident in the girls
race and that did not help the nerves, but the fight in the early stages of the
swim quickly settled me down . James had a stormer and led us all round
including the Elite guys and although I was just about middle of the pack andgot
out on to the bike quickly I got isolated and with the race being cut short
due to the accident it turned out as just a pure super,super sprint event and
the pace as people fought to make the final was too hot for me to go with. Of the two heats I was ranked 43rd of
50 going in and finished 42nd, which I am not unhappy with at all.
This race was all about the experience for me as at 15 I was the youngest by at
least a couple of years and it has certainlygiven me the appetite for more and I hope I
can get a place next year in this particular race as the venue is superb with so
many people watching from the offices and bars around the Wharf providing
support the atmosphere was outstanding. Finally a big well done to both James and Alex who won through to
compete in their respective finals.
