I will start by talking you guys through my race so you can imagine the race through my eyes.

I was given number four which was great for me because I could pick either the far right or left of the beach start and not get stuck in the middle of the field, with the washing machine madness that always happens. Hollie Avil was number two and she went to the far right so I decided to follow her and in-between us was the girl who beat me at the European Championships, Saponova.

I knew the swim was going to be fast as team-mate Vicki Holland was also racing and she is a great swimmer. My initial thoughts were right as the swim was extremely fast. I got a great start, but did have to battle for the first swim lap, but I managed to fight my way through. Coming to the half way point – where we had to get out onto the beach and run around a buoy – I was in a good position but a gap was starting to form with a few girls in front of me – with Vicki leading.

I looked up and saw Holland and Avil and thought: “They’re there!”

I dived back in and got straight onto Hollie’s feet and I was up on the back of the lead pack and this is where we got a break – which grew throughout the race.

I started to feel stronger as the swim went on and crept my way to a better position to exit the water and enter transition in fourth just behind Vicki.

A quick transition and onto the bike with another five girls which included Hollie and Vicki, Spence from NZL and Findley from CAN.

The group worked really well and every lap we were putting time into the chasing pack, which included European Champion Saponova. We exited transition with a small lead of about 20 seconds or so, and by the half way point the time had gone up to over a minute. By the eighth lap the gap was over 2 ½ minutes – so the medals were coming from the six leading girls.

I had a good T2 and went onto the run in third place, but went straight to the front. A group including myself, Hollie, Vicki and Findlay formed on the run and this is where looking back on the race – I think I got my tactics wrong.

I sat behind Findlay and waited instead of going out hard but lesson learnt!

So this group of four stayed together for the first 2 ½ laps and then going up the small incline I surged. I surged to get a gap and go for it but Hollie responded and came with me. With Vicki and Findlay unable to stay with me – it was down to me and Hollie to battle it out for Gold and Silver.

The pace stayed high with neither of us wanting to give up the title, and then with just under 2km to go Hollie surged and I couldn’t respond. The gap grew and Hollie won by around 25 seconds.

I’m happy with how I raced and I know I couldn’t have done anything else, Hollie was the best girl on the day so well done to her.

I also want to say well done to all the GB team – from the Elites to the Age Groupers – who raced on the Gold Coast. Everyone raced their hardest and put it all on the line and a special thank you to all of the people who supported me all around the course during my race – you made a huge amount of noise and it really spurred me on!

I’m spending some time now with my mum, dad, sister and brother-in-law, who all came out to watch me race. My support crew were great as they always are!

The next few days will consist of not much training and some good family time before getting back into training ready for my next adventure in America. I will be travelling with Michelle and Stuart to race in LA and Dallas in two non drafting races.

Thanks again for everyone’s support out on the Gold Coast , and be sure to check out how I fare in the non drafting races out in the the States.