The UK’s leading rail freight operator is celebrating the news that one of its employees represented Team GB in the Age Group World Triathlon Championships in Rotterdam earlier this month.
Dr. Amy Pressland, 32, from York is International HR Projects Manager at DB Cargo UK, but is currently seconded to group partner Euro Cargo Rail SAS based in Paris, France.
Amy took part in the four day event in Rotterdam (14th-17th September). She achieved 27th place in her category – the 30-34 AG Female Sprint and competed against 56 other women.
At the event Amy completed a 750m swim, a 20km bike race and a 5km run. There were over 20 nationalities taking part in the competition.
At the time Amy completed her swim the water temperature was 16 degrees Celsius but that didn’t deter her. She explained:
“The swim was quite choppy but it’s my favourite discipline so I didn’t mind too much. I wanted to come in the top-30 at the World Championships; I came out of the water in 16th place (swimming is my strongest discipline) and finished the race in 27th overall. As it was my first World Championships I wanted to finish in the top half and was really pleased with my result. It was a tough race but I loved representing Team GB.”
Amy qualified for Team GB at an event in Redcar in July of this year. She came third in her category which gave her automatic qualification to the Age Group World Triathlon Championships.
“I’m competing in the European Age Group Triathlon Championships next August in Strathclyde and my aim is to finish in the top 20. The standard of the other competitors at the World Championships was really high and it was a lot to take in, but I’ll be better prepared when I put on my Team GB triathlon suit again next year.”
Amy’s been competing in Triathlons for seven years and has a gruelling training regime. She trains between 10-12 hours a week but she still manages to find time to complete all her work commitments.
Sandra Buchser, Head of HR at DB Cargo UK, said:
“This is an outstanding achievement for Amy and we as an organisation are proud to have her as part of our team. She is passionate about her sport and that dedication and commitment carries through to the role she has at DB Cargo UK.
“As an employer we encourage people to take part in activities outside of work as that’s what makes them unique and therefore an asset to our business and an inspiration to others.”
