Triathlete star not giving in on Britain aims

The Stourbridge-based triathlete, 37, is off to Cologne at the end of the month for the European Championships, hoping that he can qualify for the top event in the States, writes Lewis Cox.

It would not be his only recent success. Halesowen-born Gaskin also qualified from the recent Half Iron Man event in Staffordshire – his first event of that nature – and he qualified from his age group for the world finals in Zell am See-Kaprun, Austria.

The event consisted of a 1.2-mile swim,

a 13.2-mile marathon and a 56-mile bike ride.

He said: "I'm very good in the swimming section because my background was in swimming. I was close to qualifying for the Commonwealth Games in 1998 but I missed out.

"Then it was a case of putting swimming to the side, getting a job (he works as a policeman) and focusing on that.

"But I've got back into it and in the last three or four years I moved over to the triathlon. Which has been a blessing.

"Moving from pool swimming to open water swimming was a big challenge but I've adapted and my swimming advantage usually serves me well.

"I enjoy the running and even at my age feel like I'm in good shape. My competitive streak helps. You never lose that.

"But the money situation does get in the way, particularly with the bike. I have the most basic of models and it's not an excuse. It's just the way things have gone."

Gaskin is currently raising money to aid his ambitions and revealed how difficult the big competitions are.

"I'm trying to compete as often as I can at that level. It's not at the elite level of triathlon. It works at age ranges. I'm in the 35-39 group," he said.

"I'm good enough to compete well and achieve good positions. I've competed at GB level at the Police and Fire games that are held throughout the forces. Those competitions have been great. I've been fortunate to achieve a lot there.

"I always dreamed of the Olympics when I was a kid, unfortunately I never had the backing through funding. I really think I could've got there.

"If I can come away with a medal or a trophy from Germany having qualified for the worlds then that'll be brilliant and help my case in getting the support. It may have to be that I turn the World Championships in Chicago down if I don't get the backing, sadly.

"The Iron Man competitions are new. I didn't really know what to expect but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

"The swim helped. I was second-fastest of my age. I got a fantastic advantage and it took the eventual winners 24 miles to catch me on the bike! I finished in 16th with 2 hours 50 minutes, 10 minutes or so behind the top lads. To qualify for a world final in my first attempt at the event was great."

Despite his full-time role, regular training and young family, Gaskin still finds time to help local youngsters.

The father-of-one said: "I do voluntary helping at Halesowen Swimming Club. I'm not a coach but I enjoy helping teach them.

"I have small regrets," he added. "If I'd have taken to the triathlon when I was younger I have no doubts I could've done very well.

But I will keep going.

I want to continue to represent Great Britain for as long as I can."