The Coaches
HEAD COACH
JAMES BECKINSALE, MSC, BTA L3
James has been coaching/training people for endurance for over 16 years. In 2000 he founded Optima Racing Team with athlete’s performance in mind. His objective was to create and environment where athletes could reach their potential through a structured coaching system. This vision has been realised having coached novice age group triathletes to medal at World, European and in Ironman competition. James has been coaching triathlon now for just over 10 years and has made coaching his vocation with his main long term goal “to be 75 years old with grey hair still coaching athletes!”
Over the past couple of years James has taken children as young as 13 and developed them to a junior elite level over a 3 year period. As an integral member of the initiation of the London region committee James is committed to developing the level of coaching and of talent identification in his role as Talent ID coach for London and more recently in his role as the London Academy Head Coach. Read more…
ASSISTANT COACHES
EMMA BECKINSALE, BTA L1, TRAINEE BTA L2
Emma has been assistant coach to Optima Junior Racing Team for the last 4 years. Previously a marketing executive in the pharmaceutical industry and coaching part time, Emma has recently made the decision to dedicate herself full time to her coaching as Assistant Coach, Optima Racing Team. In her role Emma is primarily responsible for developing the Tristart and Tristar age groups.
Emma has been coaching Triathlon for 4 years, is a BTA Level 1 qualified coached and is currently doing her Level 2. She continues to develop herself as a coach working closely and being mentored by James Beckinsale and through her self-funded CPD. Her passion lies with coaching children from all backgrounds through the ranks with an emphasis on enjoyment of the sport. Read more…
KAREN AXELSDOTTIR, BTA L1
Karen has been a member of Optima Racing Team for 2 years and assistant coach for the last year. Karen has been coaching triathlon for the last year, is BTA Level 1 qualified and has been a qualified personal trainer (American Council on Exercise, Level 3) for the last 4 years, training clients in both strength and endurance and taking boot camp sessions. Karen is passionate about the sport of triathlon; a sport that has given her so much joy in every way. Karen finds nothing more rewarding than “turning a group of complete strangers, into athletes and into friends, all facing challenges and reaching goals they could never have imagined”. Read more…
