VICTOR of the Crondall Triathlon for the past three years, endurance athlete Hélène Rossiter has qualified to compete in the World Ironman Championship held in Kona, Hawaii, in October 2017.

Hélène, 37, who has been competing in triathlons since 2004, qualified for this year’s World Championships when she was the first British woman to cross the line in the 2017 Austrian Ironman race, held in Klagenfurt on July 2, with a personal best time of 10 hours, 41 minutes and 18 seconds.

Ironman events start with a 2.4 mile (3.86 km) open-water swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride, topped off by a full 26.2 mile (42.16 km) marathon run.

Entry to the World Championships in Kona, the birthplace of triathlon, is by invitation only and features the best-of-the-best in the gruelling discipline. This year’s race will see about 1,500 competitors take part from across the world.

Hélène, who lives in Fleet, said: “This is a dream come true for me. I have been working towards the Austrian event for the past 12 months and have spent months on the road in my camper-van, training in the Alps and around Europe in preparation.

“I had hoped that I might qualify for the World Championships but the enormity of what I have achieved is only just beginning to sink in!”

Hélène has won the Crondall Triathlon for the past three years, setting a new course record in June 2017 of one hour, three minutes and 49 seconds. 

She has previously raced at all distances in triathlon and has represented Great Britain in her age group at European and World Triathlon Championships at middle and long distances.

In 2015, Hélène won the silver medal in the European Long Course Championship.

As well as training for the World Championship Hélène is working hard to secure sponsorship. 

“Being an amateur athlete means I have to find funding to cover the costs of flights to Hawaii and accommodation when I am there. The event receives a great deal of exposure around the globe and provides a great opportunity for businesses keen to see their logos appear at on the world stage,” she said.

Hélène also has a blog, WhereTheWheelsGo, in which she writes about her training and races, as well as a popular Facebook page, along with Twitter and Instagram accounts (@WhereWheelsGo).