Sydney reservist takes on the world
Volume 11, No. 43, May 18, 2006
By Capt Adrian Dolahenty

World beater: Pte Cris Ashcroft, 7 Fd Regt, is set to take on the world following a strong finish in a World Championship qualifying event in the US. Photo by Bill Cunneen.

A SYDNEY-based Army reservist will combine hours of gruelling training with her reserve-service commitments in an attempt to take on the best in the world in her field.

Pte Cris Ashcroft, 7 Fd Regt, is juggling work and training in preparation to take on the world after a recent strong finish in another US event.

The 39-year-old triathlete needed a top-10-female finish in the Oceanside Ironman in California in late March to qualify for the big race in November - the Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Tampa Bay, Florida.

An eighth place in her age group in the 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride and a 21km run was more than enough to secure her spot.

The clerk with 7 Fd Regt's 28 Bty at Dee Why on Sydney's northern beaches said she was happy with the Californian result and was now focused on the big event in Florida.

She trains twice a day and will compete in other lead-up races in Australia and overseas before the world event - including a triathlon in Hawaii in June - but still can't believe she has made it into the big race.

"I don't think it has hit me yet," Pte Ashcroft said.

"The Oceanside conditions didn't help - it was quite a tough race - but it was a great experience."
She still plans on parading at her unit on top of an intense training regime.

"The combination of the Army Reserve and my training regime works well," she said.

"The people at the unit are great - very supportive."

More than 1800 athletes will compete for a $100,000 purse in Florida, with the top professional and age-group winners automatically qualifying for entry in next year's event, which will be held in Hawaii.