Two Burnham-On-Sea girls are set to compete at the European Biathle Championships in Portugal later this week as part of the Great Britain team.
Biathle is an event where competitiors are required to run, swim and then run again continuously over a set course against other competitors of a similar age.
Elizabeth Tolley, Anya Snowball, Catherine Tolley are flying to Lisbon, Portugal today (Tuesday) in preparation for the finals this coming weekend.
Anya Snowball of St Andrews’s School has broken into the strong under-10s British team after trying the sport for the first time last year. This will be her first international appearance, following closely on from her success last weekend in Bristol where she secured first place in the South West series of triathlon (swim bike run) events for her age group, winning all four events so far in the competition.
Catherine Tolley of King Alfred School just missed out on selection for the British team to travel to the European championships in Portugal this year, but has continued her international commitment, having been part of the British team that achieved notable successes at both the Italian and German National Championships earlier this year.
And for Libby Tolley, also of King Alfred School, this will be her third European experience in an international vest this year. Having won races in both Italy and Germany she will be representing Britain for the second time at a European Championship level. She currently leads the British series and world tour biathle competitions.
The girl’s families and supporters in Burnham have wished them well. Mark Cox-Conklin of Burnham Swim and Sports Academy said: “We are super pleased to have been a small part of the overall preparation for these girls at the European Championships as part of the Great British team.”
“What an achievement for them. The Academy is extremely proud of how they have developed their skills here with the support of our dedicated team of staff. We will be cheering them on next Sunday and look forward to hearing about how they got on when they get back.”
Pictured: Top, Elizabeth Tolley, Anya Snowball and Catherine Tolley with Mark and Sara Cox-Conklin of the Academy, both of whom have won International vests in the past in Biathle; and above with their Burnham swim coach Andy Holt outstide the Swim & Sports Academy
