Even though there was just a minute turn around after the challenging first event, Sean Wylie (19) decided on the spur of a moment to tackle the next event – and ended up winning that too!
A promising triathlete who claimed the U20 British Standard Triathlon and the English Aquathlon titles this year, the talented Tynedale teenager excelled in Kielder Reservoir during the Vital Events-organised races.
He said: “I have no triathlons left this season and swimming has always been my strength, so I wanted to enter something a bit different to end the season.
“The Kielder Water Swim looked good fun and a bit of a challenge as the furthest I have swam during triathlons is 1.5k, and I felt good after completing the 3.8k.
“The mile race was just about to start and there was a challenge on to try to beat Olympic swimmer Grant Turner, so I thought I would jump in and give it a go!
“I got to the front and I could feel somebody right on my feet and, although my arms were aching and I couldn’t push on, he was struggling to keep up as I managed to keep at a high enough pace.
“It was a great end to a good year where my big races have gone well, and it will be hard moving up an age category next year but I will be putting in the winter training to make sure I can make that next step.”
There was further success for Tynedale-based athletes as a day of swimming was followed by a standard and middle distance triathlon the following day, Wylam-based Steph Scott finishing runner-up in the women’s race in her first standard event.
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