. When did you first start competing in triathlons?
Did the odd Weetbix triathlon as a kid and then my first triathlon was the Auckland Secondary Schools Triathlon Champs in Year 9 which I was happy to pick up a win.
· What’s one highlight of your triathlon journey so far that stands out to you?
Competing for NZ at the U19 Oceania Triathlon earlier this year.
· What’s your ‘day job’ of triathlon, and how do you balance it with your training and racing goals?
I’m Year 12 at school and work hard at my school work as well as fitting in training before and after school. It can be a challenge with quite a lot of sports travel over the past couple of years keeping up to date – I have to work hard at making sure I stay up to date.
· What do you consider the best thing about representing the TRI NZ Age-Group Team?
The opportunity to compete against the best at a world champs. Its awesome to experience big events and learn how to perform on the international stage.
· How did you feel when you got told you were going to represent TRI NZ Age-Group team?
I was really happy to be able to go to the World Champs as it was one of my goals for 2024.
· What is your favourite race that you’ve competed in?
Competing in the world school cross-country champs in Kenya this year was amazing. It’s the home of distance running and the opportunity to race against the best there was very cool.
· Do you have any specific goals for the future?
I want to keep racing and improving with the aim of going Pro in the future. I also want to get a Degree once I leave school, so this will be a balancing act for a few years.
· What’s your top tip for those who are new to Age-Group triathlon?
Just enjoy the experience and run fast!
· Can you share a funny or memorable moment from one of your races?
I managed to somehow take a wrong turn on the bike at the Oceania Race in Napier.
· Is there anyone who has inspired you to pursue triathlon? Are there athletes you admire and think, “Wow, you’re amazing”?
My dad has inspired me about doing triathlons. I admire my coach Ben Hamilton who has been really amazing to me. Hamish Carter being an AGS Old Boy and seeing his name on the sports honours board every time I enter the Old Boys Pavilion at school.
· Can you share a piece of wisdom that you’ve gained from your triathlon journey?
Don’t crash on the bike. Consistent training with good rest periods has been a key to my improvement.
I do both duathlons/triathlons and really enjoy them but have been more a runner & cyclist over the past few years, wanting to compete well at these sports and then put them together for the multisport events. The school athletics, cross-country and cycling teams have been amazing to me and I’ve been able to compete at the highest levels in these which has helped me a lot. I started working on my sea swimming last summer too and this helped my swimming improve significantly but still have a lot to learn. I know it will take me a few more triathlon/duathlon events before I am putting these races together properly but figure there is plenty of time for this. I wanted to have a really good base in the other sports.
