Ireland’s top ranked triathlete Aileen Reid, née Aileen Morrison, will be changing more than just her surname for 2013 and beyond. Reid, who recently married on the island on Waiheke just off the coast of New Zealand will also be changing coaches.
Reid was identified and, since 2007, coached by High Performance Director Chris Jones. She has enjoyed her most successful season yet, achieving a ranking of 7th in the world, London 2012 Olympic qualification, a 2nd place finish at the Madrid World Triathlon Series along with numerous podium finishes at World and Continental Cup level.
In a post-Olympic year Reid and Triathlon Ireland’s High Performance team recognised the need to keep training fresh.
“I’ve spoken at length with Chris [Jones] and the High Performance team and we feel a change in the training environment is a good thing,” said Reid. “Coach Darren Smith has a group of internationally recognised triathletes and I’m looking forward to the challenge of training with them.”
She added, “I really enjoy training in Northern Ireland with Lisburn City swim club and Maryland Wheelers but I will now have the opportunity to train in Australia with the girls I will be racing against as well.
“I hope to bring back some of the lessons I’ve learnt to Northern Ireland before I finish my career.”
Triathlon Ireland, in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council and Sport NI, will continue its support of Reid with her preparations for the 2013 season. Reid will be competing in the World Triathlon Series, which culminates in the Grand Final in London in early September 2013.
High Performance Director Chris Jones and Aileen Reid see this as an exciting opportunity to continue the progression of one of Ireland’s top athletes.
“I feel strongly that Aileen is at a stage in her career where she needs to be exposed to a higher level training group,” said Jones. “Darren Smith has a number of top triathletes and Aileen will benefit greatly from training with this group.”
