CHRISSIE WELLINGTON

Chrissie Wellington is an English triathlete who is the current IronMan Triathlon World Champion and world record holder for ironman-distance triathlon races. She is noted for having won the World Championship less than a year after turning professional, an achievement which has been described as "a remarkable feat, deemed to be a near impossible task for any athlete racing as a rookie at their first Ironman World Championships.“

Before this Chrissie graduated with first-class honours in geography from Birmingham University in 1998. Chrissie travelled the world for two years, which she described as opening her eyes to the "many problems that exist in the world, but also to the opportunity for positive change". In 2000, she enrolled in an MA course in development studies at the University of Manchester, graduating with a Distinction.

In October 2001, she joined the UK government agency DEFRA in London to work on international development policy. At DEFRA, she was part of the team that negotiated for the UK at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and became involved in following up the UK government's commitments on water and sanitation. She also worked on post-conflict environmental reconstruction policy.

Since becoming a professional triathlete Chrissie has won 17 of the Triathlons that she has entered. This is a massive achievement for anyone, never mind someone who has only been a professional for 3 years.

Chrissie had a spectacular 2009 winning 3 of the 4 events she has entered.

In July 2009 Chrissie set a new world record at the Quelle Challenge, Germany. She set a world best time of 8:31:59, smashing the previous world record.

Chrissies rise to World Champion has been a swift one and her success is sure to continue for a long time to come. She is an extremely dedicated yet down to earth individual who possesses a great character and charm, qualities that make her an inspirational public speaker.