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Kerry Hickson

@kerryjhickson

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Triathlon / Aquabike
🏆 Aquabike World Champion
🏆Outlaw Full
🥇AG IM Cozumel
🏆 IM70.3 Bahrain
@teambottrill @huckson.trigear

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It's taken a while (YEARS!) and a LOOOOOT of work, but i'm finally back to swimming at a standard i haven't seen since the early 1990s!

And i defs wasn't banging swim sessions out alongside the MEGA bike training from coach @bottrillmatthew when i was 13 (in my swim prime before burning out and not swimming at all for 20+ years)! 💥💪

I ❤️❤️❤️ AQUABIKE!!!

@southwestswimcoaching PROGRESSSS YESSSS! 🧜‍♀️🙏💙

And only 38 days until the swim i've been most looking forward to all season... 3km in the lovely, warm, non-wetsuit Arabian Gulf at the Long Distance Aquabike World Championships- YALLA! 🎉🇦🇪✨

#justkeepswimming #allfortheswim #oldbutgold #aquabike #aquabikeworld by @kerryjhickson

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2 days ago

14 seconds is all it took - One of the closest Aquabike World Championship battles we’ve seen.

Saturday saw over 440 aquabikers from 29 countries take to the start line in Pontevedra for the Aquabike Standard Distance World Championships.

There appears to have been very little to complain about regarding the event itself, so let’s get into the racing.

Men’s race

Ivan RUBIO RUBIRA came out of the water first in 19:13, followed by Brit Ross HOSKING and eventual winner, Spaniard Victor GUTIERREZ GARCIA.

Victor competed the bike course in an incredible 55:59, the fastest split of the field, allowing him to take the win. Ross came in second, clocking a bike split of 56:09, meaning only 14 seconds separated the top two male finishers.

This was Victor’s aquabike debut, and Ross has only completed one event previously - quite the debut World Champs appearances.

Britain’s Sam HOLWILL came out of the water a couple of minutes behind the lead men, but with a 57:48 bike split, rode himself into 3rd place. He finished just 10 seconds ahead of Frank ERK who himself put down an incredible 56:03 bike split.

Women’s Race

Dominated by Kerry HICKSON. The Aquabike.World number 1 produced the fastest swim (21:04) and bike (1:02:39) splits in the women’s field to take the win in a convincing fashion.

In the swim, Kerry was closely followed by Hayley DAVIS who was just 1 second behind her, and Andrea DAMIANI.

Stephanie OECHSNER rode a 1:03:31 bike split to get herself into second place overall, and Andrea DAMIANI took third place.

More incredible performances

Andrea NIGHTINGALE took the title in the 65-69 AG, equalling the record for World Championship titles at 6, and the International Championship titles at 12.

Blair SAUNDERS won the 60-64 AG, equalling the men’s World Championship title record of 5.

Tommy NIELSEN took his 14th international medal, and Frank ERK his 8th international title - a male athlete record.

FIRST MEDALS

For Malta and Greece in Ryan MUSCAT and Christos GAREFIS.

OVERALL TABLE

GB dominate, followed by the US and Spain.

Full report link in bio.

#aquabike #aquabikeworld #swimbike #swimbikedone #worldagegroupchampionships taken in Pontevedra, Spain by @kerryjhickson

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16 days ago

WORLD CHAMPION!!!! 💫🏆✨

Fastest swim and bike of the day to take the overall win, first female at the World Triathlon Championship Finals for Standard Distance Aquabike. 💫

I dared to dream that i could achieve this, before i'm definitely too old, and for the last 13 months (since i qualified) @bottrillmatthew and i have worked relentlessly to nail EVERYTHING. I am so blessed that i get to work so closely with SUCH a LEGEND! ✨

I'm also so lucky to have goals that i love working towards, and to have so many people help me along the way. Special shout out to my nearest and dearest OBVS and to 4 people who have been instrumental:

@headfirstsportingmind for helping me turn my absolute c*nt of an inner voice into a Level 7 All Star cheerleader. 🎉

@southwestswimcoaching who has been with me every step of the way on my obsessive quest for textbook technique. 🧜‍♀️

My hero @sirilindley for showing me all of the tools and lighting the way- the number of times i ask myself what would Siri say- especially around races- is almost infinite! Thank you so much for EVERYTHING! ❤️

And OF COURSE, AS EVER, my PHENOMENAL coach @bottrillmatthew WEEE FUUUCCCKKKING DIIIIIID IT!! THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!! #DREAMTEAM 🤩

#aquabike #aquabikeworld #teamhuckson #teambottrill taken in Pontevedra, Spain by @kerryjhickson

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21 days ago

The 2026 World Standard Aquabike Championship is (nearly) here. 🌍 🏊 🚴

It was September 2023 when Pontevedra held the second ever World Standard Aquabike Championship, following the event’s debut in Abu Dhabi. Three years ago, 340 athletes took to the start line. This year, almost 500 athletes are on the start list.

With a swim in the tidal Lérez River and hilly (and most likely busy) out-and-back bike course, the route is sure to be an interesting one.

Weather looks promising for Saturday - 26°C and a light wind - but heavy thunderstorms and rain on Sunday. We’ll keep our fingers crossed the rain doesn’t come sooner than expected.

On to the pre-race favourites.

All top 5 men in the current Aquabike World Ranking will be competing in Pontevedra. Tommy NIELSEN finished 3rd - exactly 2 minutes behind the winner, after serving a 2 minute penalty - in Banyoles. The winner of that race, Paul VANOTTI is also competing.

Last year’s world long distance winner - crowned on these streets - Igor FRANKO and long-time rankings leader Frank ERK are also likely to be near the front.

There are several names you may not be so familiar with looking to get on the podium, the likes of Irishman Martin MIZGAJSKI and Brit Ross HOSKING. These men will be making their international debut, but have had strong national performances, as have American Tiago DEPAULA SOUZA and Canadian William THRIFT.

Who’ll win? Don’t know. But we’re pretty sure it will be a close men’s race.

The women’s race is likely to be shaped by the Brits and, somewhat surprisingly, Canadians, according to our pre-race analysis. Kerry HICKSON has a comfortable lead in the rankings, and will be making her international debut.

American Stephanie OECHSNER has won all the championship events she has entered, so will be a tough woman to beat.

Canada’s leading contender is Andrea DAMIANI, followed by the likes of Alicia SLADE. Back to the Brits, and expect to see Hayley DAVIS, Victoria ROTHWELL, Catherine SEN, Ella CARTER and Pascale WEHR all in contention.

Link to full race preview in bio. taken in Pontevedra, Spain by @kerryjhickson

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25 days ago

5km swim races = one of my favourite discoveries of 2026! And so smiling because i managed to squeeze in one more this season... it was last minute, the final session of a meaty training block, the day after a @bottrillmatthew special bike session, but still SO. MUCH. FUN! and a PB- yippeee! 💫

And now it's time to freshen up and get to Pontevedra for my first Aquabike World Champs race on Saturday- woo hoo! 🥳

As ever, thanks so much to caoch @bottrillmatthew for his support and enthusiasm! 🙏⭐️

And @southwestswimcoaching - for helping me to swim straight and sight/ turn like i might actually have a clue in open water! 💥😂

#openwaterswimming #swimming #justkeepswimming #teamhuckson #teambottrill taken in Dorney Lake by @kerryjhickson

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a month ago

#TimeTrialTuesday might have missed a turn, costing me the race, but at least i found the photographer. 💁‍♀️😂

📸 @two26_photography

Also... this bike 😍❤️🥰

📸 @two26_photography by @kerryjhickson

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a month ago

First ever UOF for me at the New Forest Middle Distance Aquabike today.

(Unknowingly) missed a turn on the bike. Lesson learnt about choosing well organised races and still many positives- nailed my swim, best i've ever sighted, and first out the water by FIVE MINUTES (a big record for me)! @southwestswimcoaching - BAM! 💥🙏

And i didn't get taken out by the numerous horses, donkeys, cars, and various other obstacles making it feel like a win just to get back to T2 in one piece! And with 87km completed we still got the training stimulus that was planned- thank you coach @bottrillmatthew for another good day building towards the big races - BAM! 💥😁

#aquabike #aquabikeworld #allfortheswim #teambottrill taken in Moyles Court New Forest by @kerryjhickson

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a month ago

Almost 3 years ago, I remember walking round the park near uni and putting on an episode of my favourite podcast - Be Battle Ready Podcast, hosted @thetriathloncoach .

It’s a podcast I had grown to love during my placement year in Northern Ireland, and one which I came across at just the right time in my life. The messages around longevity and having healthy, sustainable relationship with exercise were exactly what I needed to hear during the initial stages of my recovery from disordered eating and exercise.

In the episode I listened to that time walking around the park, Simon was speaking to a pro triathlete, coach and mum of 4, @natlawrencecoach . She spoke so openly about her journey with disordered eating and RED-s - it was the first time I’d heard someone speak about those things publicly - and after a bit more googling, I knew after I graduated and started work, I wanted her as my coach.

I’ve now been coached my Nat for just over 2 years.

The bit I did not foresee was being invited onto the podcast myself. This is exactly what happened following the European Aquabike Championships last month.

It was an absolute privilege to speak to Simon, and I hope me sharing my story will help others, just as hearing Nat’s helped me.

We also discussed all things aquabike and my work writing for @aquabikeworld , and I mention some incredible aquabike athletes - @kerryjhickson @swim_bike_strun @neil.semmel @0livier_marceau .

If you’re struggling with disordered eating, exercise or RED-s, or are an aquabiker or thinking about giving it a go, I’d love for you to give the podcast a listen. 💚

Thank you so much for having me on the podcast Simon and Beth, it means a lot!

Supported by @easportingchamps

#triathlon #agegrouptriathlete #relativeenergydeficiencyinsport #swimbikerun #agegrouptriathlon by @kerryjhickson

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2 months ago

Dreamy day at Dorney 🏆

Finally got those 3 words i long to hear on race morning: non wetsuit swim- BAM! 🧜‍♀️🎉

And also got:
🥇 Overall (male and female)
✨ A standard distance aquabike PB (1h 20m)
💫 My best race pacing across swim and bike

And off the back of a couple tricky weeks and leading into World Champs feels extra special! ✨🎁✨

As ever, thanks SO much coach @bottrillmatthew for looking after me and continuing to make me faster! +15w & 2.2km/h faster on this course since May.💥🤩⭐️

And @southwestswimcoaching for all of your advice to make my swim feel smooooth! 🧜‍♀️🎉

#aquabike #aquabikeworld #teambottrill #teamhuckson #dorneylakeevents taken in Dorney Lake by @kerryjhickson

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2 months ago

Belvoir Castle Standard Distance Aquabike 🏆

Did the double with another overall 🥇 (male and female)

Doing the double in a race weekend that wasn't even planned until the Monday of race week and being KEEN and able to race back-to-back days is something i could NEVER have managed until this season (mentally, physically, or emotionally). As ever, and especially on this, huge thanks to coach @bottrillmatthew for his perspective and wisdom to help me find (1) the right mindset for racing ("no one cares and it doesn't matter" 😂), and (2) the right rhythm for stacking consistent quality training, which makes racing SO. MUCH. FUN!!! WHAT A GIFT! And WHAT A WEEKEND!

#aquabike #aquabikeworld #castleraceseries #teambottrill #teamhuckson taken in Belvoir Castle by @kerryjhickson

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3 months ago

Belvoir Castle 5km Swim 🏆

First 5km swim race, first overall (male and female), and i absolutely LOVED it! 🎉

Thank you @southwestswimcoaching - sighting and corkscrewing were key with 49 turns!

Thank you coach @bottrillmatthew - for patiently putting up with my random / last minute race schedule suggestions - very lucky and grateful to always have your support!

Thank you @castleraceseries - such a fun event, with such wonderful marshals! Especially the lap counters! 🤩

#swim #allfortheswim #swimming #teambottrill #teamhuckson taken in Belvoir Castle by @kerryjhickson

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3 months ago

Brilliant day at the British Championships 🎉

1st AG (male and female) and 2nd overall, and only 19 seconds behind the queen of horrible hilly courses @clairewellertri = a real gift to see how much mine and coach @bottrillmatthew hard work is paying off! And extra special as Claire has been a biking idol of mine for over a decade! 🤩

And a big mental win- this race was always going to be out of my comfort zone: cold, damp, hilly, windy courses are never gonna be my forte, so really happy that i managed to stay positive, confident... and upright!

Highlights
(1) Some new found confidence (and power) on climbs - thank you SO much @bottrillmatthew
(2) Finally a smooth swim, and making up places with fluent sighting & turning - thank you @southwestswimcoaching everything you said is true! 🙌😂
(3) Staying present and positive NO MATTER WHAT - had to really dig deep for this race, so channelled my hero and the best @sirilindley ❤️

#aquabike #aquabikeworld #triathlon #teambottrill #teamhuckson taken in Monikie Country Park by @kerryjhickson

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3 months ago