Lizzie Orchard continues to surprise stacked Pro Cross Tri fields

Lizzie Orchard is rapidly climbing the Pro ranks in Cross Tri this year. Having already placed 6th in the ITU Oceania Cross Tri Champs  (in Thredbo NSW, the newly announced location of the ITU Cross Tri World Champs 2016), she stepped up to 2nd in Xterra Rotorua and 5th at Xterra Asia Pacific Champs on back to back weekends, then 2nd in Xterra Malaysia just two weeks later.

'I've really surprised myself in the last few months. Finishing 1st kiwi home at Xterra Rotorua has always been on my bucket list so that was great to do, then the Asia Pacific Champs was really positive, coming in ahead of people like Caroline Steffen (two time ITU World Long Course Tri Champ) and being within 30 seconds of Flora Duffy (Standard Tri Olympian) on the run leg'.

Lizzie was ITU World Amateur Cross Tri Champion in 2012, but considers 2nd place in Malaysia her best result yet, behind multiple World Adventure racing Champion, Myriam Guillot. 'Myriam and I kept swapping positions on the bike leg. She was so strong on the steep hill section of the run and we both managed to pass everyone in front of us. I pulled back some time during the last 5km and finished just under 2 minutes back'. A host of other big names filled the top 10, with race organisers commenting on the size and strength of the women’s fields this year.

The Malaysian race also doubled as the Grand Finale of the Xterra Asian Tour, consisting of events in Japan, Philippines, Saipan, Guam, Australia, and Malaysia.  Best three results count towards the Championship title, with the Finale having double points. Lizzie placed a sensational 5th overall this year, having only raced in two events. 'I loved Malaysia and I'm convinced I want to compete in more of the Asian Tour 2016' she says. 'I know I perform my best in hot climates, and what better excuse is there to go and explore amazing countries! I've particularly wanted to visit the Philippines for a long time now, as it's where many of my past work colleagues are from'.

At the end of last year Lizzie stopped full time work and made the jump to part time to pursue her sporting passion further. Although, now with two part time jobs totalling 30 hours a week, free time is still a foreign concept. 'I'm really lucky that both offices have been flexible this year so I can get to more races'. Next on the cards are some of the Xterra European Tour races, before the Xterra World Champs in Hawaii in November. This year Lizzie is aiming to crack the top 10 there, but on current form, who knows what surprises lie ahead?








Follow Lizzie at: www.lizzieorchard.wordpress.com