Representing your country is a lifelong dream for many sportsmen and women.
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Grenfell mother and daughter Jane Ryder and Sarah Armstrong will realise that dream in September when they don the green and gold at the International Triathlon Union World Championships at Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Members of the Cowra Triathlon Club Jane and Sarah will join fellow members David and Bronwyn Porter, Leah Weeden, Trish Foxall and Andrew Fisher in the Australian team for the world titles.
All qualified for the world titles after competing in a series of qualifying races throughout Australia over the past six months.
Andrew and Sarah finished the qualifying series with podium finishes, Sarah finishing second in a qualifying event in Canberra and Andrew third in an event in Adelaide.
Between them the seven competed in events at Canberra, Kurnell, Adelaide and Melbourne to qualify for the world titles.
Speaking of their selection Sarah Armstrong said it was special for her and mum Jane to be able to compete in an Australian team.
“That’s my focus, to be able to do it together.
“I guess it’s not usual for parents and children to qualify together in the same year, doing the same sport,” Sarah said.
Both mother and daughter are relative newcomers to the sport being members of the Cowra Triathlon Club for the past two seasons, often travelling from Grenfell to Cowra on a Friday evening for club nights.
“When I first did one I thought swim, ride, run, no way,” Jane said of the sport.
“But then I did the first one and I thought I can’t wait for the next one.
“Sarah made me try out (for the Australian team) and honestly I was sick for both the qualifying races I did in Canberra and Kurnell.
“I’ve loved every minute of it, it’s been great,” Jane said.
Sarah finished second and sixth in her two qualifying events but says she was happier with her sixth placing Kurnell than she was the Canberra podium finish.
“It was a much stronger race,” Sarah said.
Sarah and Jane also thanked their coach Dan Benton.
Dan runs the Barnyard training group out of Orange and has provided the girls with his expert guidance and assistance over the past 12 months.
All seven will take on the Sprint distance at the world titles which involves a 750 metre swim, a 20km bike ride and a 5km run.
