Choices a triumph for the ‘try-a-tri’

Amy Critchlow is the one constant within the new-look quartet and the two-times Island Games competitor has proven a valuable mentor for the island’s ever-increasing women’s triathlon depth.

It comes as testament to Critchlow’s coaching and a fruitful try-a-tri system that the other three picks – Emily Squire, Megan Chapple and Chantal Green – have recently blossomed into top local triathletes.

Squire has consistently come just behind the GB age-group competitor locally and was delighted to be selected following some uncertainty in the recent Rocquaine Triathlon qualifying event.

‘I’m really excited, I was slightly worried about whether I would get in because it’s such a strong team,’ she said.

‘The swim didn’t quite go to plan in the qualifying event but I’ve come consistently second to Amy all season, so it was good that it fell on my previous races and I’m glad it has done.

‘It’s great that we have a full squad of female triathletes now, I think before Gail King [and Nikki Neal] back in 2013 we didn’t have any women at all.’

Meanwhile, young Megan Chapple has regularly vied with Squire for podium places throughout the season and is also pleased to join the strong squad in Gibraltar.

The former specialist runner has little over a year in triathlon, first making impressions in novice events before breaking through this season with solid placings both on- and off-island.

And a superb performance at Rocquaine secured Chantal Green her Island Games triathlon debut after racing the half-marathon in Jersey 2015.

True to this, Green has a proven background as a runner but has improved her other disciplines dramatically in recent months.

‘It all started with the try-a-tri events three years ago, but I was doing running since then and I’ve only really been training for tri from April/May time this year,’ said Green.

‘The course actually suited me because I’m used to the hills, but it was unexpected and I’m absolutely over the moon.’

Past Island Games athlete Magda Murphy has been named in reserve as the women look to challenge their team silver from Gotland 2017.

Female team: Amy Critchlow, Emily Squire, Megan Chapple, Chantal Green. Reserve – Magda Murphy (nee Puzio).

Male team: Josh Lewis, Dan Galpin, James Travers, Aivis Kergalvis, David Mosley. Reserves – Ryan Martel (first), Dan Armsden (second). Junior development position – Josh Thornton.

Team manager - Sean Murphy

• More on the squad selection in Wednesday's Guernsey Press.