CROSSGAR sisters Vicki and Sophie Truesdale have returned from the Multi Sport Age Group Championships held in Coimbra, Portugal, with great success.
Vicki secured a fifth place European Duathlon finish in her category and Sophie took an incredible gold medal in her class – a podium finish to make her the new European champion.
They are understandably delighted with their achievements and are very proud to have represented Ireland and their club, Down Triathlon. In all, Ireland had a very successful championships taking many medals across two weekends of racing.
The experience for them was incredible. Being alongside their Irish team members for the opening ceremony, the camaraderie within the team and the overwhelming support for Ireland in Portugal.
A lot of training was required for months beforehand but it is very hard to prepare for the temperatures faced in Portugal, and the hills.
The sisters race began at 10am with a 10K run, into transition and onto the bike for a 40K cycle out into the countryside around the beautiful and historic city of Coimbra.
The second transition was from bike, back into running shoes for another 5K run and down the iconic blue carpet to the finish line.
Vicki and Sophie are delighted with their times and their results in Portugal, but it doesn’t stop there.
They now have to focus on their entries throughout the summer and throughout Ireland with the build up to the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in the autumn in which they have also been selected to represent Ireland, this time in Malaga, Spain.
The triathlon will include a 1.5k open water swim, 40K cycle and 10K run.
This is an amateur competition and self funded. The sisters both work and training is undertaken around their full time jobs.
They are extremely grateful for all the support from their club, Down Triathlon and local businesses.
To assist with transporting their bicycles and equipment to the World Championships and ongoing training, they are hosting a fundraising shindig at The Lakeside Inn, Downpatrick, on July 5. Food and fun included.
If you wish to support these two young, local athletes and have a good night’s craic, please contact the Lakeside Inn to book in.