Isle of Wight athletes Jan Fletcher and Liz Dunlop battled extreme conditions in Cardiff to secure standout results in the first GB Age Group qualifier for the 2026 World Triathlon Championships.
Representing Wight Tri and supported by the Isle of Wight Talented Athlete Scheme, the experienced duo swapped sunshine for storms as they competed in the Cardiff Standard Distance Triathlon – a qualifier for Pontevedra, Spain.
After enjoying a sunny build-up on Saturday, race day arrived with fierce winds, choppy waters, and tough bike and run conditions. Despite this, both Jan and Liz delivered outstanding performances.
The event kicked off with a challenging sea swim. Jan completed the leg in 29:39, followed by Liz in 36:49. A lengthy run to transition didn’t slow them down, with both executing smooth and fast changes onto the bike.
On the 4-lap, non-drafting course around Cardiff Bay, Jan powered through in 1:12:57, while Liz completed the cycle section in 1:23:11.
The final segment – a 9km run straight into a strong headwind – tested every competitor. Jan clocked a fast 39:04, finishing the race in 2:24:35. She placed 4th in the 50–54 category, narrowly missing a podium spot by just 16 seconds, and came 22nd out of 167 women overall.
Liz pushed through to complete the event in 2:52:58, finishing 4th in the 65–69 category and 97th overall. Her upcoming transition to the 70–74 age group means she has now automatically qualified for the 2026 World Championships.
With several months of tough racing now complete, both athletes will take a short break before returning to training for future competitions.
Elsewhere, Laura Curwood delivered an inspiring performance at the Bowood House Triathlon on Saturday, finishing 4th among the female competitors in the Super Sprint category.
This year’s race held special significance for Laura, who had previously competed in the event as part of a relay team with her partner, Nick. In that earlier race, Laura tackled the bike leg while Nick handled the swim and run. That experience left a lasting impression – and a determination to return and complete the full race solo.
Following a 02:45 wake-up, Laura travelled to the Wiltshire venue to take on the challenge. She began with her first-ever non-wetsuit competitive swim, emerging from the water in 3rd place.
On the bike, Laura posted a significant improvement, cutting nine minutes off her previous Bowood time. But the biggest test came during the off-road run leg, which featured steep grassy inclines across the estate’s demanding terrain.
With her regular racing chair unsuited for the course, Laura opted for ‘The Beast’ – a sturdier, heavier chair built for tougher conditions. It earned its name as Laura and Nick, acting as her on-course support, powered up the hills together.
Despite the brutal course, Laura crossed the finish line with an overall time of 57:29, securing 4th place among all female finishers.
Laura said she loved taking part in the race, which combined personal goals, tough conditions and an unforgettable team effort.
