SOUTH Zeal twins Laura and Sarah Gomersall, 15, are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Tavistock's Olympic bronze medallist Kate Allenby after achieving national success.
At the modern triathlon trials in Somerset Laura came first, securing her place at the top in Britain for her age group and her identical twin Sarah came fourth.
As a result, Laura will travel to Melilla in Spain on August 12 to represent the country in the European Championships, while her sister is team reserve.
The girls pulled out all the stops over the four strenuous days of trials against a strong field from all over the country, achieving personal bests in the shooting, running and swimming.
Both competitors are students at Okehampton College and keen members of the Mid Devon Pony Club Tetrathlon Team and only recently turned to modern triathlon due to foot and mouth restrictions within pony club competitions.
The Great Britain trial was only their third competition at this event making their success even more remarkable.
In order to compete at this level the twins have shown years of commitment to their sport by training every day, including swimming before and after school.
They are now keen to find sponsors to help with their training and equipment expenses.
Laura said watching Kate Allenby romp home to bronze medal victory in the modern pentathlon at the Sydney Olympics last year was a great inspiration.
She and her sister are hoping this latest achievement is the first step towards their ambition of representing Great Britain in the Olympics in modern pentathlon following on from Kate and gold medal winner Britain's Stephanie Cook.
'It was nine years between Kate winning the Great Britain triathlon trials and winning her Olympic medal so we are keeping our fingers crossed for the Peking Olympics in 2008,' said Laura.
The girls' first modern pentathlon event, which includes fencing and riding, is at the end of the month.
They would particularly like to thanks Pip and Patrick Bugg, team managers of the Mid Devon Pony Club Tetrathlon squad for their enthusiasm and support over the years, their swimming and running coaches and Okehampton Shooting Club.
If anyone wants to help the Gomersall sisters in their quest for sponsorship please call 01837 840633.