We are excited to welcome to our BASE Family, Champion para-triathlete Lauren Parker, as our latest Brand Ambassador.
After already achieving the title of World Champion in Switzerland in 2019 we look forward to following her on her journey as she makes her way to the 2020 Paralympics Para-triathlon in Tokyo, Japan.
Here's a bit about Lauren:
An Australian elite Para-triathlete. Lauren went from a professional able-bodied triathlete to para-triathlete in just nine months, one of the fastest transitions to adapted sport.
Growing up as a junior elite swimmer she accomplished numerous state and national titles and competed at the Olympic Games swimming trials at the age of 14.
She began racing triathlon in 2009 and set her sights on the Ironman distance events in 2014. After placing 2nd at the 2015 Hawaiian Ironman World Championships in her age group, she turned professional.
However weeks before racing the 2017 Ironman Australia, and on her last training ride before the event, she had a freak accident, breaking her back and suffered spinal cord damage which left her instantly paralysed from the waist down.
In a split second her life changed dramatically, but not her spirit. After 6 months in hospital she started training for Para-Triathlon and within 11 months after her accident, qualified and won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Now, within 2 years, she has become the Para-Triathlon World Champion and is ranked number one contender for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Her journey hasn’t been easy with many compilations with her spinal cord, 24/7 nerve pain, and 5 spinal surgeries to date, she now has the goal of not only racing the para-triathlon in the Paralympics but also qualifying for the Para-Cycling, time-trial and road races, and the goal of bringing home that Paralympic Gold medal for Australia.
Career Highlights
2019
08/09/19 - ITU World Cup Banyoles, Spain - 1st Place
29/08/19 - ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Lausanne, Switzerland - 1st Place - World Champion
15-18/08/19 - ITU World Olympic Qualification Tokyo, Japan - 3rd Place
28/06/19 - ITU World Series Montreal, Canada - 4th Place
18-19/05/19 - ITU World Series Yokohama, Japan - 3rd Place
02/03/19 - ITU World Cup, Devonport AUS - 1st Place
24/02/19 - ITU Oceania Championships, Newcastle AUS - 1st Place
2018
NSW Para-Athlete Of the Year Award
Ian Thorpe OAM Outstanding Achievement Award
ITU World Championships - 3rd Place
Iseo ITU World Triathlon Series - 1st Place
Besancon ITU World Cup, France - 1st Place
Yokohama ITU World Triathlon Series - 2nd Place
Commonwealth Games Para-Triathlon - 3rd Place
Devonport ITU World Cup - 2nd Place
St. Kilda Triathlon & Commonwealth Games Qualifier - 2nd Place
Race Schedule
29/08/20 - Paralympics Para-triathlon, Tokyo, Japan
