October 4, 2009
This iron lady is not for turning
Sportswoman of the Year finalist Chrissie Wellington is aiming for a third straight victory in the Ironman Triathlon
John Goodbody
Chrissie Wellington describes herself as a “Duracell Bunny”. This is scarcely surprising, for she competes in that most arduous of physical endeavours, the Ironman Triathlon. Next Saturday, she aims to win her third successive world title in Hawaii, where the sport was invented amidst the sun, surf and entrancing scenery of the Pacific Islands.
Wellington has a reputation for invincibility in the Mecca of the sport, ever since her stunningly unexpected breakthrough at the 2007 world championships. Many years of training and competitive racing are normally required for success over the three disciplines of swimming, cycling and running. Although Wellington is 32, she has not had a long career in any of the sports, competing in a sprint triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike ride, 5km run) for the first time in 2004. “I would never have predicted what has subsequently happened,” she says. “I never thought even in a million years that I would do the Ironman, let alone become world champion. I would have thought myself crazy.” However, her athletic ability and zealous intensity have helped propel her onto the short list for The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year award.
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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/related_reports/sportswomen_of_the_year/article6860239.ece
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