World Champion inspires students

Saturday 04 May 2019

Great Britain's first World Ironman Champion, Chrissie Wellington, is in Guernsey as part of the Literary Festival and has been inspiring some local students.

Hundreds of secondary school pupils crowded into the Les Beaucamps school hall yesterday afternoon to hear Ms Wellington share her experiences and life lessons.

"I wanted to share my story, which I believe is quite unique in professional sport having come into it very late, and the key lessons I have learnt throughout my life," she said. "To follow your passion, to not be afraid to try new things, seize opportunities and also remember that we are so much more capable than we ever think we are and that we can defy our expectations of what is possible."

Ms Wellington graduated from the University of Birmingham and served as an adviser on international development policy for the UK government before realising her passion for triathlon. Five years later she became World Ironman Champion for the fourth time.

Pictured: Chrissie Wellington spoke to more than 300 secondary school students.

She is now an inspirational speaker and has written two books; 'To the Finish Line: A World Champion Triathlete's Guide to Your Perfect Race' and 'A Life Without Limits: A World Champion's Journey'.

"I found it inspiring," said 14-year-old La Mare de Carteret student Jamie Dean. "Just the fact that you can push yourself as hard as you can and get to what you want. She talks about how if you don't end up doing it, you will think about it in the long run and think 'If I did that I could have got further than I am now'. It pushes you to do more in that sort of field and push yourself to keep going until you reach your goal."

Pictured: Image from guernseyliteraryfestival.com.

The event was funded by the Ana Leaf Foundation and is being followed by an evening with Ms Wellington at St James this evening, sponsored by the Fort Group.

"Never look back and think 'What if?'," she added. "Take the plunge. Everyone was a beginner - world champion or otherwise we were all beginners once so don't be scare to take a chance. If you don't try you will never know what you love and you will never know what you are good at. Seize every opportunity you have to try something new."

Tickets for this evening's event can be booked here.

Pictured top: Chrissie Wellington (image from guernseyliteraryfestival.com).