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Vicky Holland: “I really want to go to Tokyo”

Vicky Holland at the Triathlon Show: London 2017

Great Britain’s Vicky Holland achieved a sporting dream in 2016 at the Rio Olympic Games, winning the Bronze medal, following a head-to-head sprint finish with her great friend and long-time training partner, Non Stanford.

We spoke to Vicky at the weekend while at the Triathlon Show: London 2017 at the ExCel Centre.

During the interview we cover:

  • Her Olympic memories, six months on.
  • The ‘surreal’ feeling of an Olympic podium.
  • The contrast between ‘supporting’ at the Olympics and being a medal winner.
  • Meeting the Queen!
  • Leaving Leeds and re-locating to Bath.
  • Being “selfish” as an athlete.
  • Why she has no interest until long distance… until the week before Kona!
  • Working with High5 Nutrition

Watch the video above to find out more about Vicky’s plans over the next Olympic cycle.

Vicky Holland at the Triathlon Show: London with her Rio 2016 Bronze medal

Danny Mills: from football to triathlon

Ex-England footballer talks triathlon and the Brownlee brothers

Former Leeds United footballer, Danny Mills, also played 19 times for England at senior level – which included every minute of England’s 2002 World Cup finals tournament in Korea / Japan.

Having retired from football with injury at 32 years of age, following a long period of rehabilitation, Danny has taken on a series os sporting challenges. These have included running several marathons, even completing the Brighton Marathon as a wheelchair racer to raise awareness and money for charity.

Danny Mills and triathlon…

Danny discovered triathlon over the past couple of years and has since completing two Ironman 70.3 races… with a full-distance still on his radar.

On Friday (3rd February) Danny did a great job of hosting a Q&A with the Brownlee brothers (you can watch that in full HERE), at the five year HUUB anniversary event, and shortly after that I spoke to Danny to find out more about his passion for the sport, respect for the Brownlee brothers and find out about his own triathlon goals for 2017.

Danny Mills at IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire 2016
Danny Mills at IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire 2016

The Brownlee brothers: in-depth Q&A

The Brownlee brothers talk wetsuits, race plans, Olympics, SPOTY, Leeds United and more

Last Friday at the Engine Shed in Derby, the Brownlee brothers (www.thebrownleebrothers.com) were the star attractions at a packed event hosted by wetsuit brand HUUB to celebrate their fifth anniversary.

Having trusted the brand with their signature four years ago – at a time when the product was little more than an idea of the kitchen table of Dean Jackson – that decision has been vindicated, with another four year contract just signed, keeping them with the brand until 2020.

Danny Mills hosts…

The Q&A was very well hosted by former England and Leeds United footballer, Danny Mills. Now a keen triathlete himself with an Ironman on his radar, Danny covered a lot of areas with the Olympic Gold and Silver medallists.

Find out more about…

  • Why they first signed with a brand that barely had a product to offer them at that time
  • How racing will change for Jonathan, with Alistair not being at many of the WTS events this year
  • Why Alistair is not ruling out going for a third Gold in Tokyo
  • Jonathan’s views on the potential of the Olympics being a Sprint distance race
  • Why finishing second at SPOTY means “I’ve got a worse personality than Andy Murray”…
  • …and why winning SPOTY might not have been a good thing, “not sure I wanted to make a speech!”
  • Their passion for Leeds and Yorkshire
  • Why Jonathan is still “uncomfortable” about the events of Cozumel
  • Their “bucket list” races

And the biggest laugh of the day…

Jonathan on Alistair: “I work with Alistair, and he earns more than me…”

Alistair to Jonathan: “Yeah, but I do a slightly better job, don’t I?!”

The Brownlee brothers on stage with Danny Mills
The Brownlee brothers on stage with Danny Mills

Looking for sponsorship? Watch and learn!

HUUB founder Dean Jackson talks athlete sponsorship

“Build a relationship, become a friend… don’t just come with your hands out”

HUUB founder Dean Jackson has been involved in the triathlon industry for several decades now, across a range of blue chip brands even before he launched HUUB (www.huubdesign.com).

HUUB have just signed the Brownlee brothers to another four year contract – but Dean also support athletes of all levels from first-timers, not just those on the Olympic podium.

“Will you sponsor me?”

Having been on the end of thousands of “Will you sponsor me?” letters, emails and more, how do you stand out?

Before you start a “Dear Dean” request – be it to HUUB or any other brands – take some tips from Dean on making the right sort of approach with some simple advice from this video.

Mark Livesey: the Sub-9 hour veteran

British Age-Group athlete Mark Livesey is getting faster with age, achieving his goal of a Sub-9 hour IRONMAN in 2016. We spoke to him to find out more.

Lucy Gossage: don’t write me off yet!

While Lucy Gossage will be returning to work, part-time, in 2017… rumours that she is retiring are far from the truth! I spoke to the Duracell Bunny…

David McNamee looks ahead to the big race

The top British Male athlete at Kona 12 months ago, finishing in 11th, David McNamee has high hopes of moving into the top-10 this year.

He spoke to Joanne Murphy (www.tritalkingsport.co.uk) earlier this week about the changes to his approach to the race this year, hoping to arrive fresh and much stronger on the bike.

Susie Cheetham – “I’m a better athlete than last year”

“I’m a better athlete than last year… I hope I can show it”

Could it be a big, BIG year for Great Britain’s Susie Cheetham? Sixth on her Kona debut twelve months ago, she is confident in her physical abilities and hopes to be able to show that on Saturday.

Joanne Murphy (www.tritalkingsport.co.uk) chatted to Susie this week following the Pro briefing. Check out her pre-race thoughts.

Lucy Gossage – “When life gives you lemons…make lemonade”

Joanne Murphy (www.tritakingsport.co.uk) talks to the Duracell Bunny, Lucy Gossage in Kona ahead of Saturday’s IRONMAN World Championship 2016.

What do you do when you break your clavicle eight weeks before the biggest race of the year? You can give up, or… you can fight back.

Matt Russell – “I like to race. A lot…”

Matt Russell (USA) is one of the most prolific racers around.

When he starts from Dig Me Beach on Saturday it will be just two weeks since he finished third at IRONMAN Chattanooga to Marino Vanhoenacker (BEL).

An unconventional approach, perhaps – but one that Matt has confidence in. He spoke this week to Joanne Murphy (www.tritalkingsport.co.uk) about his approach to the race.

Lionel Sanders is “angry” & ready to race

Lionel Sanders (CAN) is one of the most exciting long-distance triathletes in the world.

He’s already won five IRONMAN 70.3 races in 2016, using his devastating bike and run prowess to crush the opposition. 14th last year in his debut, he’s back in a much stronger frame of mind and should go a lot better this time around.

Joanne Murphy (www.tritalkingsport.co.uk) managed to get some time with him this week and find out what he learned from last year, and why Craig Alexander has inspired his own IRONMAN journey.

Harry Wiltshire – “If you get it right, it defines your career”

Two years ago Harry Wiltshire made it to Kona after one of the most amazing points chases we’ve ever seen – all while qualifying as a Barrister and with a broken back!

He crossed the line that year in nine hours exactly. 2016 has been his best long-distance season by far, with wins at IRONMAN Vichy and IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth, plus further podiums at IRONMAN 70.3 Dublin and IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire.

Joanne Murphy (www.tritalkingsport.co.uk) grabbed some time with Harry ahead of the Pro briefing.

Pre Kona chat with Jodie Swallow and James Cunnama

Having recently won the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championship for the second time in her career, Jodie Swallow most certainly has the skills to improve on her Kona-best of fourth two years ago.

Joanne Murphy (www.tritalkingsport.co.uk) grabbed a few moments with Jodie and her soon to be husband, James Cunnama (RSA), at the Pro briefing for Saturday’s IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii.

Lucy Charles – “I wanted to show who’s boss”

While she is not racing the IRONMAN World Championship herself this year, Lucy Charles has already made headlines in Hawaii this week.

Quite possibly the best female swimmer in the sport, Lucy likes to beat the men too, “show them who’s boss!”. And not just any men, the top Pro’s, including Andreas Boecherer, Tim Don, David McNamee, Eneko Llanos, Trevor Wurtele and many more were left in her wake when she won – overall – the Ho’ala IRONMAN Training Swim last weekend (FULL RESULTS).

Winner of the 18-24 category last year, Lucy is raced as a Pro during 2016, making the podium at IRONMAN Lanzarote.

In Kona primarily to support her fiance Reece Barclay (watch our interview with Reece HERE), Lucy spoke to Joanne Murphy (www.tritalkingsport.co.uk) about her plans to return to race, as a Pro, in 12 months time.

David Pearce also spoke to Lucy immediately after her swim last weekend too:

Reece Barclay – “I love every moment”

On his first appearance at the IRONMAN World Championships last year, Reece Barclay made the Age-Group podium, collecting the coveted Umeke for finishing in fifth place in the 20-24 category.

That will be a much tougher task to match this time around, in his first year in the 25-29 division.

Joanne Murphy  (www.tritalkingsport.co.uk) spoke to Reece ahead of Saturday’s race.

Lucy Charles – racing Pro in 2016

Former swimmer Lucy Charles switched to triathlon after missing out in the Olympic trials & finished a double IRONMAN world-champion in 2015.

Spencer Smith interview

Spencer Smith talked to Annie Emmerson about his career, new ventures and future race plans

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