News

Hewison and Stimpson bid for Oceania sprint triathlon honours

Published:

Katie Hewison and Jodie Stimpson continue their winter preparations in Australia by taking part in the Devonport OTU Sprint Triathlon Oceania Championships on Saturday.

Ahead of the international triathlon season getting fully underway in New Zealand in early April, the British duo has been training in Australia since early January.

Katie Hewison, former ITU Duathlon World Champion and member of British Triathlon’s Multisport Squad for 2013, will be looking to continue the run of form from last season that saw her clinch her first ITU Triathlon World Cup win in Cancun.

The 27 year old, originally from Chorley in Lancashire, made the decision last year to join coach Darren Smith’s international training group.

Katie said: “Already I’m getting excited for my first races of the season. 2013 has seen some significant changes to my training with a new coach, new training group and new training environment. 

“It has been quite a big decision to leave the programme I had set up for myself in Surrey and take away all my home comforts of my husband, family, and friends.

“I am now at the stage in my career where I really want to give everything my best shot and break through into the ITU World Championship circuit.  Darren is already making many technical changes to all three disciplines but most importantly for me in my swimming, and I’m already starting to see some good progress.”

Jodie Stimspon, a member of the UK Sport Lottery funded World-Class Podium Squad will take on the sprint distance event having ended last season on a high with fifth place at the Barfoot & Thompson World Triathlon Grand Final in New Zealand. She also won her first ITU Triathlon World Cup in Guatape in September.

Jodie said: “My winter has been spent out in Canberra with Darren Smith and the new squad. I have been getting my head down and training hard, just trying to be as consistent as possible with nothing interrupting the schedule.”

“This is weekend is my second little hit out after a small Aquathlon I did in Wooloongong were me and Gwen (Jorgensen) had some fun in a sprint finish. I am excited to see where things are and what needs working on over the next few weeks before Mooloolaba World Cup and the first World Triathlon Series race in the New Zealand (6 April).”

The British duo will face competition from a large contingent of Australian athletes, which includes Ashleigh Gentle and Charlotte McShane. Gwen Jorgensen (USA) will also be one to watch, along with Aileen Reid (nee Morrison) from Ireland.

Thanks to our Partners

Join Us

And enjoy insurance benefits, race licensing and more...