Tenby’s Olly Simon has been competing in triathlons since his teenage years and is still showing he has what it takes to compete with the best into his veteran years, competing over different distances and having to navigate event cancellations due to covid he has strung four races in five weeks together to finish 2021 on a high.

The season started in June much later than usual with a half Ironman which was a little below par as it had been a long time without racing and he then moved on to the first race in the Welsh Super series at Pembrokeshire coast Triathlon, a regular at this event Olly came a close second after a battle with fellow local athlete Alex Matchett.

Olly said: “I really enjoy racing this challenging local event and the chance to compete with quality athletes, great event put on by Pembrokeshire Tri Club.”

Next up Olly turned his attention to the long distance and had entered Tallinn Ironman as it looked a good bet to go ahead. He led the race for 150km on the bike then started to fade and the rest of the race turned in to just finishing rather than competing.

“I managed to qualify for the world championships but didn’t get the performance I wanted, its all good experience,” he said.

After some recovery time and the disappointment of his A race he decided to enter some more races in September.

Bala Olympic was first as part of the super series he showed his experience and lead from start to finish to win overall and put himself in a solid position in the series.

Outlaw Bowood a week after was a half Ironman distance against some quality athletes and he put together a solid race with a podium and then had two weeks till Ironman 70.3 Bolton.

Bolton was a brutal course with lots of elevation and technical sections and Olly fought off local athletes on the run to win the overall race.

“It was great to get all the exposure for winning such a prestigious race and it was shame that was my last long distance race of the season,” he continued.

Last race of the season was Barry sprint Triathlon which was to try and clinch the Welsh super series title.

Conditions were tough with a choppy sea swim, rain and a cold strong wind but he battled it out with a 19 year old he has previously coached to win the overall title by less than a second.

“I had to get everything right that day as it came down to the wire.

“I wouldn’t usually race seven days apart and I haven’t really got the speed of these young guys so I hung in there and got the result in the end,” remarked Olly.

It was a great end to the season for Olly and he looks forward to what 2022 will bring.

Thanks goes to his sponsors - Mikes Bikes, Drainforce Ltd, Griffith’s and Daughters scaffolding and Aermech Ltd.