Optima Racing Team

About Optima Racing

Optima is a London based Triathlon Club and is seen as one of the most successful triathlon clubs in the UK. Our club caters for all abilities from beginner to professional and all ages from 8 through to 88! Our head coach, James Beckinsale is BTA L3 qualified with over 20+ years triathlon coaching experience. James is also the London Region Academy Coach.

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Maddy’s first triathlon!

Race Stories

Maddy’s first triathlon!

Never in a million years did I think I would be able to compete in a triathlon. Yet, I sit…

Vesta’s first ironman – IM Gdynia 2021

Race Stories

Vesta’s first ironman – IM Gdynia 2021

2021 marked the first full Ironman event in Poland and with the swim, in the familiar Baltic waters, it had…

Christina’s take on Huntsman 70.3

Race Stories

Christina’s take on Huntsman 70.3

First 70.3 by Christina I booked the Huntsman 70.3 in New Forest early in the season to have something to…

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“Exactly one year ago, in October 2020, I woke u

“Exactly one year ago, in October 2020, I woke up one morning, looked at my partner and said ‘I want to do a triathlon!’ From there, I spoke to my Uncle and Aunty and they recommended the first thing to do was join a triathlon club… Cue Optima Racing Team. I remember, I was SO nervous to turn up to my first training session that I was almost sick in the car over Kew Bridge. What was I thinking?”…

Recently our very own @maddyrbaldwin completed her first ever triathlon🏊🏼‍♀️🚴🏼‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️

She has kindly put together a race report for us outlining both her journey to the race and the race itself, head to the link in our bio for the full report✅👏🏼💃🏼

Congratulations maddy!!!🥳🤩

#triathlon #firsttriathlon #racing #team #slb

It was a super sunday of racing this weekend, with

It was a super sunday of racing this weekend, with 6 of the team in action around the country🏊🏼‍♀️🚴🏼‍♂️🏃🏽‍♀️

Andy & @holliehindley took on the ROC Endurance Triathlon in Abersoch, Wales - an incredibly challenging and unique event from sea level to the top of Mount Snowdon and back again! The pair took on a 1.5km sea swim, 50km bike into the Snowdon Massif, 12km run up to the top of Mount Snowdon (6km ascent to the top & 6km back down!!!), a 50km return bike & finally a 1km run along Abersoch beach to finish (see Andy’s facials in pic 3 for a depiction of the race)😳🔥 Both absolutely smashed it finishing🥈 & 🥉in their AG’s respectively over 5+ hours of racing🥵⭐️

Also in duathlon action were 4 of the team over at Eton Dorney, with @loftfiro & @stu_ando taking on the Olympic distance event, finishing 🥇 & 🥈 in their AG’s💪🏼 and @james_beckinsale & @k0ndrasin finishing🥇 & 🥉 in their AG’s in the sprint distance event👊🏻

Overall it was an incredible weekend for the team, with every single racing athlete finishing on the podium in their age group🏆🔥😍💃🏼

#team #strong #podium #triathlon #winning #slb

A few weekends ago now, Vesta officially became an

A few weekends ago now, Vesta officially became an Ironman after completing her first full distance at Ironman Gdynia in Poland🇵🇱

After a storming swim🏊🏼‍♀️, a strong bike🚴🏼‍♀️ and solid marathon🏃🏽‍♀️, she finished with an incredible time of 12:03:51, earning herself 3rd in her age group only one spot away from Kona qualification🤩

Within the club we have all been in awe of the work vesta has put in leading up to this performance. Frequently up at the crack of dawn to get her long rides or runs in before work, she left no stone unturned and we are all so proud of her🥰

Head to the link in our bio to read her full race report📈👏🏼

@gilliancsanders has officially touched down in To

@gilliancsanders has officially touched down in Tokyo🇯🇵 settled into the Olympic village she’s ready to race on Tuesday (Monday evening @ 10:30 BST!)🙌🏼👊🏻

From everyone at Optima Racing Team we wish you the best of luck & can’t wait to watch you race at your third Olympics Gill💥🌟

#olympics #tokyo2020 #team #triathlon #race #gotime

Wow, what a tough final few races for @gilliancsan

Wow, what a tough final few races for @gilliancsanders, right down to the wire for Olympic selection. But it’s offical, SHE’S DONE IT, qualification for her 3rd Olympic Games✅🤩 now for the last few weeks of hard work & prep💥

Well done Gill!!!!!🙌🏼⭐️🥳

#team #slb #olympics #tokyo2020 #triathlon #southafrica #3rdolympics #welldone

A few weeks ago @christina_kracht took to the road

A few weeks ago @christina_kracht took to the roads of the New Forest in her 70.3 debut at the Huntsman Triathlon💥⭐️

Head to the link in our bio to read how she got on💪🏼

#slb #team #racing #70.3 #hunstmantriathlon #debut

⭐️MEET THE TEAM: IT & MARKETING MANAGER, VESTA

⭐️MEET THE TEAM: IT & MARKETING MANAGER, VESTA ZEMAITE⭐️

For our final committee member today we are introducing our lovely IT & marketing manager Vesta Zemaite! Get to know Vesta below⬇️

How long have you been doing triathlon & how did you get into the sport?

I signed up for my first triathlon in 2013. I couldn’t swim, I didn’t have a bike and I could not run more than couple of km; so I thought that was a big enough challenge! I finished the race and I loved it. I did a couple of more short races before my first 70.3 in 2017, which took me over 7 hrs to complete (!).

When did you join Optima Racing Team & what is your favourite thing about the club?

I joined Optima in winter 2018. I love the fact that we are all individualistic, while at the same time, we are a proper team; meaning, everyone supports one another without being too intrusive or cocky! We have people from a first timer to an Olympian, training together in one environment with no ego attached, which I think is rather special.

What achievement in triathlon are you most proud of?

I think I am mostly proud of, what may seem as, the little things; such as nailing a hard run session on a frosty rainy track while the rest of the team are on camp in the sunny Spain; going out for a long bike ride with the team in the most rainy, windy and awful day; turning up for every early morning swim in the past 3 years despite finding myself on brink of losing motivation a number of times, and, most recently, getting myself on the bike while fighting the hypothermia having come out of a freezing lake swim!

What are your goals for this upcoming race season?

To complete my first Ironman in Gdynia, Poland.

What is a fun fact about yourself that other people might not know?

I was part of a 2 girl ‘rock band’ while in high school. We created our own songs and played at a few school events - I hope I never find those recordings!

⭐️MEET THE TEAM: SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER, JESS WE

⭐️MEET THE TEAM: SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER, JESS WENLOCK⭐️

Up next is our social media manager Jess Wenlock! Jess runs our social media accounts, get to know her (me😆) below⬇️

How long have you been doing triathlon & how did you get into the sport?

I have been doing triathlon since around the age of 10! I first got into the sport when a school friend of mine asked if I wanted to try the Thames turbo junior aquathlon🏊🏼‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️

When did you join Optima Racing Team & what is your favourite thing about the club?

I joined the club back in 2016 when I wanted to race more seriously. I absolutely love the people in the club, the team environment is second to none and I have made some of my best friends there!

What achievement in triathlon are you most proud of?

Probably a top 10 finish in the British super series back in the day and a few endurance bike rides I have done.

What are your goals for this upcoming race season?

I’m currently recovering from a badly broken ankle back in January so this summer I just want to get myself back to some relative fitness and have fun.

What is a fun fact about yourself that other people might not know?

In 2014 I summited Mount Kilimanjaro🗻

⭐️MEET THE TEAM: COMMITTEE MEMBER, CHRISTINA K

⭐️MEET THE TEAM: COMMITTEE MEMBER, CHRISTINA KRACHTOUDI⭐️

Up next we have our wonderful committee member Christina Krachtoudi. Get to know Christina below⬇️

How long have you been doing triathlon & how did you get into the sport?

I started in fall 2019 basically from zero on the swim and road cycling 😊 I had heard an interview with Chrissie Wellington on a running podcast about a year before, then I read her book, and the rest was history!

When did you join Optima Racing Team & what is your favourite thing about the club?

I joined Optima pretty much at that time so kind of went all in! Training in a team environment has helped me improve far more than I would have done alone. The support and encouragement of my coach and teammates has been incredible, you really can’t fail if you have the right attitude. And we have lot of fun doing what we love together👯‍♂️

What achievement in triathlon are you most proud of?

Completing my first 70.3 with a huge smile last weekend has to be it! Although I have to mention I am really proud of being able to swim in lakes now as I had a childhood fear of dark water which I’ve now conquered💪🏼

What are your goals for this upcoming race season?

I have a long season planned ahead with two more 70.3s, in Austria and back home in Greece. I love exploring beautiful places combined with racing. Finishing these with a smile and improving some areas would be fantastic!

What is a fun fact about yourself that other people might not know?

I have actually been interviewed on UK national TV on an episode of ‘Monster Ships’, a documentary featuring one of the vessels I worked on when offshore in 2019🚢

⭐️MEET THE TEAM: CLUB SECRETARY, EWAN MITCHELL

⭐️MEET THE TEAM: CLUB SECRETARY, EWAN MITCHELL⭐️

Today it’s the turn of our club secretary Ewan Mitchell! Ewan keeps us all in order by ensuring things are organised in the committee and by providing some witty humour. Get to know Ewan below⬇️

How long have you been doing triathlon & how did you get into the sport?

I started in 2015 as there were a few guys from work doing one and it looked fun. I have been hooked ever since. First tri was Thorpe Park and the 1500m swim took me 39 mins, I was exhausted at the end and couldn’t tell which way was up.

When did you join Optima Racing Team & what is your favourite thing about the club?

I joined in late 2019 / early 2020. I love the team spirit and group training. Nothing better than completing a hard session with a good group. You get a massive sense of achievement after especially when its cold and wet out.

What achievement in triathlon are you most proud of?

I have qualified for the 70.3 Ironman AG world champs in New Zealand. It was supposed to be in 2020 but now I have it to look forward to in 2022.

What are your goals for this upcoming race season?

I would really like to go below 4:30 for a 70.3 and maybe see if I can get on a age group podium for a race.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that someone might not know.

I played the flute at school (badly!), not an instrument that people would naturally associate with me!

⭐️MEET THE TEAM: SAFEGUARDING OFFICER, STEVE M

⭐️MEET THE TEAM: SAFEGUARDING OFFICER, STEVE MCCANN⭐️

Today we are introducing our safeguarding officer Steve McCann! Steve’s role involves ensuring everyone at the club is looked after. Get to know Steve below⬇️

How long have you been doing triathlon & how did you get into the sport?

I started in late 2015, having seen an event in the distance while out cycling. I was heading to my 50th birthday, and it looked like fun.

When did you join Optima Racing Team & what’s your favourite thing about the club?

I went for a trial, met some friendly people who looked much fitter than me...and the timetable suited me!

What achievement in triathlon are you most proud of?

Completing my first, and currently only, long course event at Challenge Roth is the obvious one. But really, it’s when I turn out in the rain when I don’t feel like doing it.

What are your goals for this upcoming race season?

Two halves and a full!

What is a fun fact about yourself that other people might not know?

I am trained in handling multi pitch helicopter handling sites! Never actually did it, and the qual expired about 30 years ago...

⭐️MEET THE TEAM: MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY, HOLLIE

⭐️MEET THE TEAM: MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY, HOLLIE HINDLEY⭐️

Today we are introducing our membership secretary and the second member of the Hindley family within the committee, Hollie Hindley! Get to know Hollie below⬇️

How long have you been doing triathlon & how did you get into the sport?

Since I was around 14, I started around 2011. I first got into the sport with an Optima Racing Team summer camp!

When did you join Optima Racing Team & what is your favourite thing about the club?

I joined Optima a little while after that summer camp in 2011/12. My favourite thing about Optima is the fun we have when training together.

What achievement in triathlon are you most proud of?

I am most proud of running a 50k ultra and multi-day bike rides I have done, like London to Lands End.

What are your goals for this upcoming race season?

This summer my goal is to enjoy racing and work towards a longer adventure type race at the end of the season.

What is a fun fact about yourself that other people might not know?

I have broken my wrist 3 times, once when cycling!

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Optima Racing is proud to work with a number of organisations who continue to support us.

To find out about our sponsorship opportunities please contact our club secretary.