A big welcome to Sam and Amy-Jo.

In their own words….

Sam and Amy-Jo have recently returned to the UK after 18 months living in Bondi, Australia. When not sunning themselves on the beach, they spent a fair bit of time training and racing with the BRAT club in Bondi although Sam was known for shunning them in favour of his own company! Both have raced over a variety of distances with varying degrees of success! Current triathlon goals are up for discussion once some semblance of form has returned.

Welcome to Carla who has decided to join the Viceroys for 2012, in her own words:

In summer of 2009 I took part in a relay race at Dorney Lake, with just the one discipline to complete (the run) I found myself eager to learn more. So that was it, signed up for my first Triathlon. Having only ever swam breaststroke at snail’s pace, I knew this would be the toughest discipline, it was a mental battle to get in the water. I immersed myself in books, magazines, personal training and with the support of my family and friends I completed my first Tri (June 2010) not only that I also managed to raise over £2000.00 for two beautiful children Abbie and Christopher both of which lost their lives to cancer (two charities were formed in their name!).

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A big welcome to Jacky who in her own words….

I have for many years been a very keen water skier, skiing on both boat and cable. I have water skied for Team GB in the cable team in slalom, trick and jump. Skiing in Open Nationals, Senior Europeans and World Championships. I am also a very enthusiastic snow skier having done this since childhood.

Just over 2 years ago I decided I needed a new challenge and took up road biking. I cycled Hampton Court to Paris in 2010 and 2011. 525km over 3 days.
Last year I did the tour of Flanders 140km over the pave and the 3 day Alpine Challenge in Annecy. I have joined Viceroys as a keen cyclist looking to improve fitness, get faster and stronger and meet some like minded people to train with. I am this year again doing Flanders at the end of March and climbing in the Alps later this year.

Will I ever do a triathlon, I don’t think so as unable to swim more than a bit of breast stroke, but maybe I would try a small duathlon.

Our latest member is Louisa Sawers, sister to John Sawers. Like John, Louisa is a GB Kayaker and excels at the K4 class over 500m, (not that John see’s that as a proper distance!). In 2010 Louisa came 4th in K4 500m and therefore qualified four spots for GB 2012 Olympics team. She has won medals at K4 500m including gold at the 3rd World Cup event and silver in the 2nd World Cup event in K4 500m

She has also been 5th & 7th at the European Championships. Naturally her Olympic dream is to win gold in the K4 class over 500m (then Mark our chairman, will have to get in a kayak as a bet!) What more motivation can one girl need 🙂 As our honorary member, the club will be supporting her all the way.

A big welcome to Helen who joins the pink machine, in her own words….

I’m 22, born and bred in Cornwall..moved to Surrey to go to uni at Royal Holloway (studied Geography). Was an avid horse rider when in the Westcountry, substituted this with rowing when went to uni. Raced nationally and internationally. Currently work for GB Rowing as a Talent ID coach for the Paralympic squad. Did a bit of dragon boat racing last year, and raced for the GB Premier Women at the World Championships in Tampa Bay, Florida last summer (4th, 4th 5th). Looking for a new sport after 5 years of rowing, so enjoying triathlon! Raced the London triathlon in 2010, and cycled from Edinburgh to London, and Brussels to London in 2011. LOVE cycling in the sun! Entered the Henley Half Ironman in Sept 2012, so looking forward to training with Viceroys to help me learn the tricks of the trade and go fast! Enjoy training, meeting new people, and having fun while on the move!

Welcome to Marc who in his own words…..

“A lifelong sports obsessive, with rugby union and Lake District roots, and now committed Triathlete. Love early mornings, brick, chlorine and my P2. Challenges this year include the Lanzarote Ironman in May, followed by shorter Windsor and London events. Am looking forward to broadening my outlook and pushing my boundaries with the Viceroys and to meeting everyone in due course.”

Alex played lots of volleyball in his younger days, including training with the England Juniors squad, but just not tall enough to make the team!  He was Introduced to triathlon at university, but didn’t actually start training and doing them regularly until 2008.  In terms of where he usually places in the field, his splits indicate that his strengths are running, followed by the bike, followed by a pitiful swim.  Running is the only discipline that he has competed outside of a triathlon:  With PBs to date of 5k 16:42 ( at Bushy park ), 10k 34:50 and HM 1:21:50 he is looking to get all these down this year.  He is mainly training for Olympic distance and would love to bring his bike time down to an hour or under and get his swimming down to under 21 but realistically under 22 would be great!

The question is – is Alex our lucky 50th member?

Tim Ferguson has ridden bikes forever, raced BMX’s at twelve, raced in Surrey League for about 5 years, done a few sportives, Etape du Dales, Ride of the Falling Leaves and a bunch of local ones.  Stopped riding due to injury, marriage and children.  Started swimming in 2010, with the intention of completing a few 1500m events.  Started running last year after an 11 year recovery period after Tough Guy 2000. This years plan is to compete in a few sprint triathlons a few swim events, several parkruns and a couple of sportives.  Then the following year some full length triathlons and after that retirement.

Alex Bessett has done several sprint triathlons and has already planned out his 2012 season with his main goal of smashing up the London Triathlon.  A long suffering friend of our original founder member Pete Kelsey, he can smell his opportunity to get one over his mate while Pete develops his Long John Silver impression on crutches due to injury.  Alex is keen on improving his swimming, biking and running abilities alongside the growing numbers of Viceroys members.

Claire Beisty finally, Claire has dipped in and out of triathlon over the last couple of seasons but have so far only entered swimming races, endurance life events.  Her biggest achievement being a 3 miler swimming event down the Thames. This years challenge is to do the Wild Swim Series 5 mile event and maybe have a go at a tri or two.  Looking forward to finding some training buddies in the area to get me back out on my bike.

Lisa comes from a water skiing dynasty and has done mainly triathlons and road races in the past.  Her highlight would be doing the Grim challenge on her birthday.  She is looking forward to 2012 as Lisa has set herself a number of goals which she would like to achieve. Welcome Mrs Chairman.