Chester-based BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin has qualified to represent Great Britain at the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Chicago in September.
The 46-year-old mum-of-two, who recently took part in the Deva Triathlon, will become part of the GB triathlon team after qualifying to take one of the slots available in her age group (45-49). She qualified at the Dambuster Triathlon based around Rutland Water a week after her Chester challenge.
She will compete in the standard distance event, with a 1500m swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run, in Chicago on Saturday, September 19.
Louise will race in a GB tri suit on the same course as Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee and Paratriathlon world champions Lauren Steadman and Alison Patrick. Alistair will be competing in the elite men’s race on the same day as Louise.
She tweeted:
She said: “I am absolutely over the moon to have qualified to represent Great Britain in my age-group in The World Triathlon Championships.
“I took up the sport two years ago and didn’t imagine for a second then, that, one day I would be able to represent my country internationally. I couldn’t have done it without the endless support of my family and friends and my loyal running partner, my dog Waffle.
“It has been hard work, great fun, lots of silly things have gone wrong along the way, and I always wish that I could go faster, but it has all been worth it. At 46, I feel immensely proud to be part of the team, and I am so excited to compete in Chicago in September.”
British Triathlon Age-Group Team Director Nicky Dick said: “Louise will join around 400 other British Age-Group athletes in Chicago in September. It’s a huge achievement for anyone to qualify and be amongst the best amateur triathletes in the world. I am sure that she will be made to feel very welcome by the rest of the team, and we’d like to congratulate her on qualification.”
Louise will now continue her triathlon training and has been invited to Loughborough University to meet the elite athletes and coaches to discuss her training plans. She will get top tips from both elite and para athletes, as well as discussing her diet with a nutritionist.
Her next challenge is closed road Tri Liverpool event on July 26.
