The BBC presenter, a keen amateur triathlete who has represented Great Britain, will be packing her kit when she comes to the Island to take part in the Jersey Festival of Words.
After ‘talking the talk’ at the festival next Saturday, when she discusses the book Dare to Tri, her account of getting into triathlon, Mrs Minchin will ‘walk the walk’ the following morning. She has signed up to participate in one of the age group events that give amateurs the chance to compete on the same course as the world’s top triathletes.
‘This is my first time visiting Jersey and I am really looking forward to it,’ said Mrs Minchin. ‘I have done several age group sprint triathlons, but I haven’t taken part in the Enduro format – the fast transitions are going to be my biggest challenge.’
Jersey is hosting a leg of the global Super League Triathlon series for the third time, and preparations for the event are intensifying with a week to go.
Construction of the course at the Waterfront has started, and the first athletes were due to arrive today.
Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham, who attended the series’ launch event in London earlier this week, said that the athletes, family members, organisers, television crew and others involved with the event would total almost 1,000 people.
‘There’s great anticipation for Super League Triathlon,’ he said. ‘It’s a huge opportunity for Jersey to promote itself, showing off our sporting infrastructure and announcing that we are open for major events.’
Senator Farnham said he hoped Islanders would turn out in large numbers to support the event, either by taking part in the age group, corporate or children’s races, or supporting the professionals.
‘The whole event is set up to be really spectator-friendly – access is good, with free admission, and there are lots of points where spectators can get a really good view of the racing.’
Organisers have made some changes to the layout of the arena, with the running and cycling routes going past the fanzone, so that spectators can see the action without leaving the zone.
All vendors will be cashless, with wristbands available for spectators, who can then charge them with cash, with a facility to reclaim any unused credit after the event.
