A TAVISTOCK modern pentathlete headed out to Sydney this week to compete in the Junior World Championships.
Heather Fell, from Merrivale, Tavistock, sets off for Australia on September 18, in the eight-strong Great Britain team.
Heather's stay Down Under will be cut short as she has to return after ten days to resume her studies at Brunel University, where she is training to be a physiotherapist.
Heather is following in the steps of Tavistock's own Olympic silver medalist in the modern pentathlon, Kate Allenby, who helps Heather with her training at the national Pentathlon Centre in Bath.
Hather said she could not wait to go to Australia and was hoping to continue her run of good form this year. 'I've had a good year, but with the five events in the modern pentathlon, anything can happen. If everything goes to plan I could finish in the top ten, so fingers crossed, it will go well,' she said.
Heather, 19, said after completing her studies, she might decide to train full-time, and attempt to emulate Kate Allenby's success. 'The Olympics are definetly one of my long-term goals,' said Heather.
Heather's mother Doreen said: 'We are very proud. It's quite something to be selected for your country. We are chuffed to bits.'
Heather is currently ranked fifth in the UK, the highest of any junior modern pentathlete. Heather will continue to be eligible to complete at junior level until she is 21.
Modern pentathlon combines the disciplines of swimming, riding, running, fencing and shooting.
Heather has been a member of the Spooners and West Dartmoor Pony Club since she was eight years old.
Heather recently won the individual title at the Pony Club's Tetrathlon Championships at Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire.