KNUTSFORD Tri Club’s Lucy Scott secured a spot at two international competitions as a reward for winning a bronze medal at the national sprint championships.

She was third in her category, for girls aged between 15 and 19, at the British Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships in St Neots last weekend.

The race acted as a qualifier for age group teams that will represent Great Britain at the World Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships in Chicago later this year, and the European Championships in Lisbon in 2016.

“I was and still am totally over the moon with that result,” said the 18-year-old, a student at Sir John Deane’s College in Northwich.

“Getting on a British Triathlon podium and receiving that medal was a really special moment."

Scott emerged in 10th place from a 750m swim, in a chilly River Ouse, into the first transition.

During a 20km bike ride, she recorded the third fastest time in her age group - 44:03 - followed by a swift second transition into her running shoes.

She covered 5km in 19:08 to finish in 1:16.47 behind victor Rosie Weston and runner-up Rosie Lindsay.

“It wasn’t until I’d printed off my timing slip and waited for the results that I believed I’d come third,” added Scott.

“This race had great outcomes in many respects, and it takes the pressure off for Nottingham where I was aiming to quality.”

Nottingham Triathlon is scheduled for Saturday week, May 30.

And Scott continued her fine start to the season with victory in the Wilmslow Triathlon at the weekend.

She was the first female to finish, timing 1:20.12 to pip closest rival Katherine Bancroft.