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Sarnian triathlete Joshua Lewis has been given a wildcard entry into next month's Super League Triathlon in Jersey.
The international event attracts competitors from across the world, with a friendly rivalry included now as Jersey's Ollie Turner has also been given a wildcard entry.
Ollie competed in Super League Triathlon season 2018/2019, recording his highest ever finish in the season finale at Singapore in February this year, while Joshua, fresh from his gold medal at the Island Games in July, will be competing for the first time in the Men’s Pro field.
Joshua is, however, already familiar with the format having been part of the Ravenscroft Corporate team since Super League Triathlon came to Jersey in 2017.
"It came as a complete shock. I have wanted to do Super League for a while, but I hadn’t been quite able to make the Qualifiers and I thought my chance was gone, so I was delighted when I got the news," he said.
"It’s an unbelievable opportunity to race basically all of the best athletes in the world. I know it is taking place in Jersey, but I still hope the Channel Islanders will cheer for me as well as Ollie.
"I’ve watched Super League since its inception and it’s such an intense style of racing. This will be an incredible learning experience for me and a great chance to test myself against the very best competition. I hope to be competitive and I think I can be in certain areas, but I am already off practicing things like transitions as these guys are so fast so that’s something I need to get better at."
The inter-island rivalry will remain in force even though Joshua says he and Ollie are friends.
"Ollie and I are very supportive of each other, but of course there is that competitiveness.
"Everyone is a competitor when you step on to that start line. You don’t really think of friendships when you’ve got oxygen deprivation! You are just battling for yourself and we will be going out there to beat each other any way we can."
Ollie, who is an RBC Brand Ambassador, and Joshua, a Ravenscroft Brand Ambassador, are both are keen to notch up a win and fly the respective flags for their Islands.
"I can’t wait," said Ollie. "Last year racing Super League in Jersey was probably the best experience I’ve ever had in triathlon. It’s so special to compete in a home race with family and friends and even people that you don’t know cheering you on. Like Josh, I am now living in Cardiff and am training with the national Welsh team. This is one of the best British Triathlon squads in the UK, so I’m really happy.
"When I first got to Cardiff, I knew Josh a little bit already because he was the top triathlete in Guernsey. With the Jersey rivalry I had always thought I need to keep an eye on this guy, however, there has never been any bad blood between us. We are Jersey and Guernsey, but we hit it off and he made my first year at University so much easier and I can’t thank him enough. However, he did beat me at the Island Games, and so now Super League is a chance to get my revenge!"
Michael Dhulst, CEO added:
"The wildcards give Super League Triathlon a great opportunity to offer deserving athletes a chance to take part. We are always keen to support local or young athletes and are delighted to welcome back Ollie and, for the first time, Joshua to the team of athletes competing in the professional field in Jersey."
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