Success for triathletes at the University of Stirling
Isla Hedley and Millie Breese crowned champions in major events
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The National Triathlon Centre based at the University of Stirling has enjoyed a successful few weeks – with its athletes winning major titles and confirming their place at the European Championships.
Isla Hedley won the Under-23 category of the World Triathlon Cross Championships and Millie Breese was crowned champion of the third event on the British Super Series calendar.
Their success came as Breese and Alex Robin were selected for the Europe Triathlon Sprint and Relay Championships, which will take place in Spain next week.
Marc Austin, Lead Coach of the National Triathlon Centre, a partnership between the University and Triathlon Scotland, said: “It has been a fantastic few weeks for the National Triathlon Centre, at the University of Stirling.
“Isla put on a fantastic performance in what was a gruelling two-and-a-half-hour race to win at the World Triathlon Cross Championships. It’s great to see the strength she showed over that duration for such a young athlete – she should be very proud of this achievement.
“Millie also did incredibly well with her win in the British Super Series – finishing more than 30 seconds ahead of second-placed Jasmine Cooper.
“And for Millie and Alex to both be confirmed for the European Championships in the Under-23 and Junior categories is brilliant. At this age and stage, it’s the highest level they can compete at. For both athletes, they had to deal with setbacks during their winter training block, so it’s great to see their hard work, commitment and patience pay off. We wish them all the best in Spain.”
Isla Hedley
At the World Triathlon Cross Championships, held in Pontevedra, Spain, Isla’s phenomenal performance in the Under-23 category saw her complete a 1,000-metre swim, 28.7km bike ride, and a 7.6km run in 2:23:05. In 27°C heat, she finished ahead of Laura Gillard (Australia, 02:23:34) and Mia Padmanabhan (Great Britain, 02:27:35) to take top spot on the podium.
Sports scholar Isla, 19, who is going into her second year studying a BA (Hons) French at Stirling, said: “This event was one of my target races for this season. It is my first year as an under-23 but I had done well at the XTERRA events early in the season, so I had my sights set on winning.
“To actually achieve the win was extremely tough though – I was battling with the girl in second place nearly all the way to the line. It is a result that I am very proud of and definitely ranks as one of my best races to date.”
Isla, from St Andrews, has a short break from competitions before travelling to the Czech Republic for the European Cross Triathlon Championships and the XTERRA European Championships, both in August.
Millie Breese
The third event of the British Super Series took place at Bristol Harbour – with Millie winning the Women’s category. Millie was joint leader after the swim, however, by the end of the bike leg, she had fallen behind Katie Rodda, Ellie White and Jessica Turnbull – but remained part of the nine-strong leading group. She then recorded the fastest run of the day to reclaim her place at the front – and took the win, finishing 30 seconds ahead of Jasmine Cooper in second.
Millie said: “I’m really proud to take my first senior win at the Bristol event of the British Super Series, it’s a big step forward for me. It reflects the consistency I’ve built this year training with the National Triathlon Centre. Things are definitely moving in the right direction, and I’m feeling confident heading into the European Championships.”
European selection
The Europe Triathlon Sprint and Relay Championships will take place in Melilla, Spain, on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July. Both representing Great Britain, Millie – who is going into second year studying a BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science – will compete in the Under-23 category and Alex in the Junior Men.
At Stirling, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
Core sports include football, golf, tennis, swimming, triathlon, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.
Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling.