Swim Squad Awards 2024: Breakthrough Performance of the Year
This award is all about performances from athletes that perhaps we didn’t expect at the beginning of the year or about performances that have taken athletes to another level, to build on next year.
Matt Flood
Matt has gone from entering races for the challenge of completing them, to entering races to win them … in a very short space of time. Some incredible performances from Matt this year.
“Matt has gone from zero to hero this year. He’s got his head down, trained hard & improved all three disciplines massively. He’s consistently performed and has been podiuming at the shorter distance tris. You’d think he’s been doing triathlon for years.”
“Matt Flood improving all year with swimming and collecting podiums along the way.”
“Matthew flood, first big year of tri and repeatedly pushing for podiums, smashing out pbs in the pool, just needs to learn to count now 😉”
Richie, Ironman Barcelona
Richie learned how to swim front crawl, conquered his fear of choppy water, navigated his training through the waves of considerable personal stress and emerged with his Ironman Barcelona finisher medal.
“Breakthrough performance for me has to be Richie Heeson’s 13.13.14 😬😬”
Kate, Brutal Half
Kate wanted to challenge herself this year – and challenge herself she did!
Completing the incredibly difficult Brutal Half – and in a much faster time than she imagined. A super performance that will be a springboard to even bigger challenges in 2025.
Carmel, Ironman Bolton 70.3
Carmel has gone from non-swimmer to Ironman 70.3 athlete in less than a year. A performance that has opened up a whole new world of triathlon adventure for her. Did I hear Ironman in 2025? Yes I did!
Tash, The Outlaw
“This was Tash’s big race of the year. Something she had trained hard for. Then, at the last minute, the swim was cancelled, and the race wasn’t what she had trained for. However, she dug deep, cracked on and got to that finish line with a smile (or was it a grimace? 😊) on her face. She showed true courage that day. This is just the start of her long-distance triathlon journey.”
Jan
2024 was the year Jan spread her wings, embracing running and Swimrun … with considerable success!
“Now I know Jan has always been a very well-established athlete in the water, someone I look up to, has hints tips and great general advice, so nothing ground-breaking there, she has always been solid in that respect. The breakthrough performance comes from Jan adding running to her racing event calendar. This year she has entered many swim run and other running events. Her running success has been superb, whilst maintaining that core swimming focus, especially when you think of the number events completed. One to rival Matt R on that front.”
Elliot
“I have been alongside Elliot at some of his events this year and have seen the challenges, nerves and doubts he’s faced. He has worked relentlessly to improve and in my opinion everything shone through at the River Mersey swim – an iconic moment that evidenced his performance, self-belief and confidence.”
Game-Changer!
These athletes have taken their belief and self-confidence to another level following these performances this year. The definition of game-changer. And we’re all delighted for them.
Swim Squad Awards 2024: Breakthrough Performance of the Year
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