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Triathlete Amy Critchlow is aiming to take three minutes of her personal best time when she competes in the World Triathlon Championships next month.
The former Channel Islands female surfing champion took up triathlon two years ago and after representing Guernsey at the Island Games, has now qualified for Team GB.
The former Grammar School student, 37, is aiming to beat her personal best in the multi-sport discipline, but admits high temperatures and humidity will be a challenge during the triathlon championships being held on the Mexican island of Cozumel between September 11 and 18. She will be competing in the 35 to 39 age bracket in an Olympic distance race that takes in a 1,500-metre swim, a 40km bike ride and 10km run.
‘I’m quite a competitive person and triathlon just seemed to be something that would really challenge me because you need to train and perform well in the three disciplines - swim, cycle and run. Triathlon really tests both your physical and mental strength and requires a lot of commitment to a training program, which also appeals to me. My background is swimming and surfing and I’ve always enjoyed endurance events. My first triathlon was a couple of years ago and I got hooked after my first local novice event,’ said Amy, who works part-time at the States of Guernsey Policy and Resources committee.
‘I competed in the Island Games in 2015, and qualified for the world championships at a race in Southport, near Liverpool, earlier this year. My personal best is two hours and 18 minutes and I’d like to get two hours and 15 minutes in Mexico, and place as high as I can in my age-group rankings. I have recently qualified for the Island Games next year in Gotland, Sweden, which will be my main focus in next year's racing calendar.’
Amy, who is also studying for a diploma in sports massage therapy, acknowledged there was a considerable cost to competing in triathlons, especially larger off-island events. She has now received funding from ZEDRA, which is an independent, global specialist in trust, fiduciary, corporate and fund services, alongside her sponsorship from Try-A-Tri with Get Fit Guernsey.
‘ZEDRA’S support has taken off that financial pressure and allowed me to concentrate on training and racing. ZEDRA and Get Fit Guernsey have shown a lot of confidence in me so I want to make them proud,’ she said.
Elaine Graham, a director of ZEDRA Trust (Guernsey), said it was important for local companies to sponsor athletes who dedicate themselves to a sport.
‘I met Amy through Try-a-Tri, which supports and encourages islanders to challenge themselves and have a go at a triathlon, and have been so impressed by her commitment and determination. ZEDRA’s brand is centred on aiming high and there is no doubt that Amy has done that which is why we want to support her. She is a superb sporting ambassador for Guernsey and a real inspiration as she has gone from being a novice to representing Great Britain in just two years,’ she said
