We at TORQ are very pleased to start introducing some of our new members of the triathlon team for 2012. Our first announcement is for the very talented Danielle Stewart…

Picture: From the album “British Triathlon Annual Awards Dinner 2011” on British Triathlon’s Facebook page.

Here’s what Danielle has to say:

“So here I am writing my first article for the website as a new member of the TORQ Triathlon Team. I am really excited to be joining the team in 2012 and I am looking forward to seeing what the year brings. When James asked me to write a little about the events that happened after my 2011 season (to be explained later), I wasn’t really sure how to start the article. In the end I decided that the most appropriate thing to do would be to introduce myself.

I have been taking part in Triathlons and Duathlons since 2006/7 as a complete novice to the sport. It turned out that I quite enjoyed it and that I wasn’t too bad at it either. I quickly became hooked and have progressed from the novice who made every mistake in the book to the seasoned triathlete who made a chapter’s worth of mistakes, to winning World and European Age Group Medals at World Triathlon and Duathlon Championships.

Despite a number of setbacks (I am yet to meet a triathlete with perfect race preparations!), 2011 was my best year to date in terms of results. I won Gold at the European Age Group Triathlon Championships in Pontevdra, Gold at the European Duathlon Championships in Limerick and Gold at the World Duathlon Championships in Gijon, all in the 25-29 age group.

Although my race season finished in September, the season wasn’t forgotten immediately as I was very privileged to be nominated for a couple of sports awards. In October I became Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire’s Sports Woman of the Year 2011, which was an amazing feeling. In November I attended the British Triathlon Annual Awards Dinner, having no idea that I had been nominated for an award. I was very surprised to see my name on the nomination list for the Peter Homes Award with the likes of the amazing Chrissie Wellington and the GB Elite Relay Team. I was even more surprised (and a little embarrassed) to actually win the award; in fact I assumed there must have been a mistake for a moment!  The Peter Holmes Award is for “Inspirational Performance in International Competition”. I am very proud of what I achieved in 2011 and I hope to perform at least as well in 2012 with the support of TORQ.”

Congratulation’s to Danielle on her recent awards and welcome to the team. This year promises to be a great year for the team and our fantastic sponsors (we shall announce further details on the sponsors at a later date). However please follow the links for more information on some amazing kit. Here are the TORQ Tri Team’s 2012 sonsors:

www.wilier.it/en – Wilier Triestina; Triathlon Frames
www.ffwdwheels.com – FFWD; aero wheels
www.ritcheylogic.com – Ritchey; Aerobars, saddles and finishing kit
www.cycleops.com – CycleOps – PowerTap; Power meters
www.racezone3.com – Zone 3; wetsuits
www.limarhelmets.com/eng – Limar; helmets & glasses
www.lakecycling.co.uk – Lake; Cycling footwear
www.jagwireusa.com – Jagwire; cables
www.scott-sports.com – Scott; running footwear
www.shimano.com – Shimano; Groupsets
www.triathlonspecific.com/Sable/Sable.html – Sable Water Optics; Swim goggles
www.max-mediagroup.co.uk – Max Media; Team PR
www.amphibia-sport.com – Amphibia; transition bags
www.champ-sys.co.uk – ChampionSystems; Custom Trisuits and Cycle wear