TAVISTOCK Swimming Club's James Anderson represented Great Britain in the European Cross Triathlon Championships held at Strobl in Austria earlier this month. 

Competing in the Elite junior category against athletes up to four years older than him, 15 year-old James achieved a superb sixth place. 

James left the water second after the 500 metre swim in Wolfgangsee Lake and dropped to sixth on his least strong discipline, the 11 kilometre mountain bike course.  Fast out of the second transition, James had a good three kilometre run to finish a strong sixth.

James attends St Boniface College in Plymouth where he has received great support and encouragement, including provision of a nutritionist following his selection for the GB team. 

His cycling training is with Tavistock Wheelers and he is now looking to strengthen this part of his racing for Cross Triathlon with some specialist mountain bike training.

James said that he had an absolutely amazing time representing his country for the first time at the European Championships: 'Following my first international experience I want to further develop my training and hopefully get a better mountain bike to improve my performance. 

'I am aiming to medal at next year's European Championships and to compete in Germany at the World Championships in August 2014.'