Gina came from a swimming background, competing competitively to NZ national level until she was 17 years old. In 2005, after a seven year break from all sports, Gina took up triathlon as a way to get fit. She took to the sport immediately and after winning a few events decided to take the sport more seriously, and began a structured training programme. In 2006 Gina left her job as a high school mathematics teacher in order to focus on her sport, but has continued to work part-time as a violinist for the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. In March 2007 Gina competed in her first ironman (Ironman New Zealand) finishing in 5th place. After her first ironman experience, Gina knew this was the distance for her and now has 4 ironman victories and 3 iron distance victories to her name. In 2008 she posted sub 9 hour times on two occasions and now holds the record of fastest New Zealand women in the sport. On debut at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships in 2008 she finished in 8th place and will be looking to improve on this in future years.
Some Interesting Info about Gina
Age: 29
Born: New Zealand after parents immigrated from South Africa.
Height: 162cm
Weight: 51 kg
Education: BA Psychology, BMus Performance Violin, Grad dip of teaching and learning, ATCL
Favourate Food: Macaroni Cheese, salmon sushi.
Best Sporting Moment: Winning Ironman Wisconsin 2007, my first Ironman victory.
Worst Sporting Performance: Not finishing Ironman UK 2007 due to mechanical bike problems
Favourate thing to do besides training: Walking with Brett and our two dogs Lilly and Raro, and going to the beach for a bit of body surfing.
