On a hot Saturday afternoon in Aldershot three 12-year-old triathletes from North-wood - Sky Draper, Sophie Edwardson and Lewis Hawkins - proved that they are among the best in the country.

All three of the youngsters attend Holy Trinity Church, Northwood, and are coached by Kevin Draper, the church's Youth Minister.

The British Triathlon Junior Inter-Regional Championships (IRC's) are held every year at the end of August and this year they were held at the Army Garrison Sports Centre in Aldershot and contested by 22 of the country's top junior triathletes.

Edwardson and Hawkins had qualified to represent the London region at Tristar Two level - those born in 1996 and 1997; Draper had qualified to represent the London region at Tristar Three level - those born in 1994 and 1995.

Tristar Twos do a 200m swim followed by a 6.4k bike ride and a 1.8k run. Edwardson did well to finish 10th, given that she was the last girl to exit the water, and finished in 27:09.

Hawkins had a great race to finish second amongst the boys, despite his bicycle chain coming off at one time. He still recorded the sixth fastest bike ride and, with the second fastest run, finished in 24:36.

Tristar Threes do a 300m swim followed by an 8k bike ride and a 2.5k run. This is Sky Draper's first year at this level and she is one of the youngest in the age group. Nevertheless, it took a girl born 21 months earlier to beat her.

Sky had an excellent swim and bike ride, at the end of which she was in first place. She lost valuable seconds, however, in transition from the bike to the run, but she still finished in 31:16 for second place.

Overall, these youngsters helped the London region to finish in fifth place of all the regions.