SOME of the best swimmers, runners and athletes in the South West and Wales met at the 2012 Olympic Sailing Centre to take part in the SW Aquathlon (swim/run) championships.
Among them was 14-years-old Sam Jackson from Crediton. This was his first season in a triathlon event and in which he won the 15/16 age group, by swimming 750 metres, followed by a 5km run.
His time of 29 minutes 32 seconds gained him second overall for all age groups taking part, just 15 seconds behind the 18-years-old winner.
Sam, who lives at Tower Gardens and who is a pupils at QECC learned to swim at the Lords Meadow Leisure Centre. He began his athletic career with Crediton and District Swimming Club. He now trains with Exeter Swimming Club and is coached by Jon Randall, Liam Tancocks ex-coach. He is in his first year of transforming himself into a triathlete.
Said Sam: "I came out of the swim first, which I knew I had to do to have any chance. Before the race, I truly did not believe that I could win, as Simon Cooper, European Biathlon Champion, was also in the race in my age group.
"I have been training more on my running, recently which has significantly improved, as this race showed but I did not think by this much. I think I actually gained ground on Simon, who is a fantastic runner and triathlete and also swims at Exeter Swimming Club."
"Now I've won this first big race I'd like to win more. My next aim is to win a big triathlon. At the moment my cycling lets me down. However, I have a fantastic coaching team behind me; Dave Pressley at Exeter Tri. One of my academy coaches was Harry Wiltshire who gave me the start I needed, Greg Rorke my cycling coach and Pete Freedman of DriventoTri my mentor.
"Their knowledge and experience is incredibly important to me. In the next few months and years with a lot of effort I think I can start winning big events and hopefully represent my country, which is my dream."
Sam who is on the South West Triathlon team, will be representing the region in the Inter-Regional-Championships at Bryn Bach, Wales in September.