AN ALBASTON teenager has become the first competitor ever to win the under 14s national mountain boarding championship for a third consecutive year. Joel Treliving made history this week when his points accumulated throughout the year reaffirmed him as the nation?s number one. First overall in the racing event, Joel can now reach speeds of 35mph, making him the sixth fastest in the world. He was second overall in the freestyle and the only youngster to include a back flip in his series of jumps and tricks this year. The young competitor says he is ?quite chuffed? at the result but really it is the fun and adrenaline from the sport which he loves. Joel took up mountain boarding three years ago and practises at his home where he he created a challenging track in the sloping garden. Next year he will enter the under 18s category where things are set to get even tougher. A well known name on the circuit Joel has also been invited to take part in demonstration events, including one at the NEC in Birmingham. His father, Peter, who used to be an international racing cyclist and rode for England in the Milk Race in the 1960s, said Joel was getting very competitive and whatever he did now would stand him in good stead for the rest of his life, whether he wanted to be a solicitor or an airline pilot. ?He comes home from school and goes right out into the garden ? he really loves the sport and because he is very shy he?s not big headed about it,? he said.
