Tri and you will succeed

Leah Kilmister in action on her European tour. Photo: Supplied

Taupō’s Leah Kilmister has completed an incredible 11-week trip to Europe, culminating in the World Triathlon Age Group Championships in Pontevedra, Spain.  

Competing across three countries, Leah took on eight races, achieving some outstanding results and gaining valuable international experience. 

The journey began in England, where she competed in three events before heading to the Netherlands for two more races.  

The final leg of the trip saw her represent New Zealand at the World Triathlon Age Group Championships in Spain, competing in three events over four days. 

Her European campaign got off to a fantastic start with a first-place finish in her 16-19 age group at the London T100 Sprint Distance event.  

Her next race was at Mallory Park, the UK qualifying event for the European Championships, where she secured an impressive fourth place in her age group. 

Leah rounded out the English leg of her journey at Dorney Lake, Eton College, finishing second in her age group in a large and competitive field. 

In the Netherlands, her first event was in Ouderkerk for the Dutch Triathlon Series, where she finished first in her age group and was the second female overall. 

In Eindhoven she won another age group victory and first place overall in the women’s field. 

The final and most challenging leg of Leah’s journey was the World Triathlon Age Group Championships in Pontevedra, Spain.  

Representing New Zealand, she competed in three events over four days, taking on some of the best age-group athletes from around the world. 

Her campaign began in the female 16–19 years Sprint Distance event where she finished ninth. 

The second event was the Olympic Distance, a distance she had never raced before, where she finished fourth. She completed the race on a road bike rather than the preferred time-trial bike, making the result even more impressive. 

Leah’s final event was the mixed-team sprint relay, racing alongside her New Zealand teammates. The team finished eighth overall.