BECKENHAM triathlete Nick Kinsey finished first in the over-50 category of the Austria Ironman championships at Klagenfurt in Austria.

It was an emphatic success for Kinsey, who not only finished 12 minutes clear of his long-time German rival Tim Rolf, but also set a new British record time for a 50-year-old British Ironman.

He swam 2.4 miles in 60 minutes, biked 112 miles in 4hr55s, and ran a 3hr23s minute marathon to give him an overall time of 9hr26m.

As a result, Kinsey was the only UK athlete to qualify in this race for October’s world championships in Hawaii.

The challenge will be tougher still as the Australians and Americans have a few useful older triathletes, including the six-time Hawaii winner, Dave Scott.

However, Kinsey is still confident of making a podium finish.

He said: “If I can swim and bike like I did in Austria and then do a better run, perhaps nearer to three hours, then I have a good chance.

“Normally the run is my strongest discipline but in Austria I had some problems with my digestive system shutting down, possibly due to the extreme 30 degree heat and consuming too many sugary drinks.

“The German man was catching me at the half marathon stage.

“But I stopped briefly drank just water, ate a few pretzel’s and suddenly I came back from the brink and sprang into life again.

“In the last five kilometres I was running faster than at any point in the whole marathon. It was very satisfying.

“I sent a postcard to my running club Blackheath Harriers to let them know the good news as they have recently formed a Blackheath Triathlon Club, so I knew they were all following the race on the internet.”

To watch Kinsey take part in the world championships in Hawaii on October 10, visit ironmanlive.com