Frank, candid and inspiring, this is the remarkable story of how a Norfolk girl - a 'sporty kid, swimming, playing hockey, running, but never excelling and always more interested in the social side of the sports scene' - became a world champion Ironman - and remained a throughly nice person (perhaps lesser athletes and sports people should take note).
Chrissie Wellington is the world's No 1 female Ironman triathlete, a four times World Champion, having recently won her fourth title in October 2011 and the World Record holder. In 2009 she was voted ' Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year' and in 2010 was awarded the MBE. She is the undefeated champion of Triathlon, having won thirteen Ironman titles from thirteen races. She set a new World Record of 8 hours19:13 at Quelle Roth Germany in 2010, which slashed over 14 minutes from the previous record and where she was only beaten by six men. She went on to improve this time by another minute in the 2011 race. She also set a new world record for the fastest ever Ironman sanctioned event at Ironman South Africa in April 2011. Chrissie has displayed unprecedented levels of stamina, strength and competitiveness in becoming Ironman World Champion in only her second event at Ironman level. Her victory in Kona, Hawaii in 2007 finishing five minutes ahead of her nearest rival was described as the 'biggest upset in Ironman history' and 'a remarkable feat, deemed to be near impossible task for any athlete racing as a rookie at their first Ironman World Championships'. She defended her World title in Hawaii in 2008 and again in 2009. However a bout of severe sickness on the eve of the 2010 event meant she was unable to make the start line to defend her title. She bounced back in 2011 to retain her title in her most fiercely competitive race to date, which adds another fantastic chapter to her extraordinary sporting career.
'What amazes me about Chrissie Wellington is not that she wins, but by how much [...] Like Usain Bolt, Wellington has burst on to the scene and destroyed the opposition. Those within athletics said that Bolt was coming but Wellington came from nowhere and wins by a relatively greater margin.' -- James Cracknell
'What emerges from this book is the portrait of a thoroughly nice woman. Her exceptional qualities have led her to achievements that her readers can scarcely imagine. But she still remains touchingly connected to that 'ordinary girl from Norfolk'. It's a winning combination.' -- Jane Shilling Daily Mail
'...full of revelations, pages upon pages of inspiration and plenty of laughs. Wellington's frankness about her life and indelicacy about every aspect of the sport creates a compelling tome that no Chrissie fan or aspiring triathlete should be without.' Triathlon Plus
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About Chrissie Wellington
Chrissie Wellington is the world-record holder for ironman-distance triathlon. She is a four-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion, having won the World Championship consecutively in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and regaining it in 2011. She is noted for having won the World Championship less than a year after turning professional. She is also the first British athlete to hold the Ironman Triathlon World Championship, and remains undefeated over the Ironman distance. In addition to the Ironman titles, she was also the 2006 ITU Age Group World Champion and the 2008 ITU long-distance World Champion. See more on her website: www.chrissiewellington.org
