Irish call-up

Irish call-up

29 May 2024

CROSSGAR sisters Vicki and Sophie Truesdale have a busy summer ahead of them.

They have now been selected to represent Ireland at the European and World Triathlon and Duathlon age group championships this year.

It’s an incredible achievement given that they only took up the sport just as the Covid lockdown was finishing three years ago.

Having used lockdown to progress their fitness, Vicki (28) and Sophie (24) joined the Down Triathlon Club in the spring of 2021 as part of a programme to promote and encourage people to start their triathlon journey. 

Coming from an equestrian background, competition is not new to them and neither is travelling the length and breadth of Ireland to compete.

Before starting their training through the club they had both done some running and open water swimming, but not at any competitive level and without coaching.

They also hadn’t cycled since their proficiency test in primary school.

Over the past three seasons Vicki and Sophie have competed throughout Ireland and achieved a number of podiums and age group wins in their respective categories, which have resulted in their selection for the Irish team.

The age group championships are an opportunity for amateur athletes to compete on the world stage. 

As this is a self-funded team and all training and racing is fitted around full-time work Vicki and Sophie have gratefully received support from a number of quarters, including local businesses and their club mates who organised a table quiz. There is also an upcoming fundraiser to be held at The Lakeside Inn, near Downpatrick.

The girls spent their school years initially at Drumaghlis Primary School, Glasswater Primary School and Down High School.

Vicki continued her studies at Queen’s University graduating in Biochemistry and now works as a chemical analyst at Norbrook Laboratories.

Sophie took a break from studies and has spent two years in Vancouver, Canada. She now works for a local firm. Her love of sport is influencing her choice of further studies with sports nutrition her way forward. 

In the last couple of years they have raced in the popular Hill and Dale series in the Mourne Mountains as part of their training.

With their championship races in Coimbra, Portugal, and Malaga, Spain, fast approaching, they are very excited to represent Ireland in the fast growing world of triathlon and will be honoured to be ambassadors of the Down Triathlon Club at European and World Championship levels.