A BEXHILL teacher is being supported by ATB Sales Ltd in her bid for glory at the European triathlon championships in Ireland next year.
Susannah Casebourne, 39, has been selected to ride for Team GB in her age category at the festival in Athlone in July.
She has been loaned a £3,000 Italian racing bike to train with and ride at the championships by bosses at ATB Sales Ltd in St Leonards who were impressed with her track record.
Superfit Susannah has been on the podium for her 35 – 39 years age group in every event she has entered since taking up the sport just last Summer.
And this after only two seasons competing in triathlon after years of watching her husband Simon compete.
Susannah said: “I am what you call a good age grouper and I’m very excited at the prospect of riding for the Great Britain team. I get very nervous about racing too so sometimes I do wonder what I am letting myself in for!”
Susannah, of Canteloupe Road, is a PE teacher at Charters Ancaster and the prep school is right behind her efforts to bring home a medal.
“The children think it’s great and the school have been very supportive. My husband is planning my training and he’s impressed with my results. I was very competitive as a child when I was a county-standard swimmer but in later years I have always enjoyed training rather than racing.
“Entering these triathlons has taken everything to a whole new level,” she added.
The triathlon format begins with a fast 1500m swim, followed by a tough 40k cycle ride and then a 10k run to the finish.
She found herself first out of the water every time she swam but lost ground on the cycling before catching the pack on the run in. But now her new bike – a Wilier Izoard – will boost her to even better results.
Ross Patterson at ATB Sales said: “Susannah will go into the championships with our full blooded, light-weight racing bike and will be even faster than she was in her previous outings.
“Her problem has been in the transition from the swim to the bike and with practise she will iron out those difficulties and be a real force to be reckoned with. We wish her all the best for Ireland. ”