Benfleet triathlete Nigel Kimpton has just returned home from a successful work out in Madeira - gaining top place in the United Kingdom team.

The 40-year-old finished seventh out of 100 athletes in the gruelling European Triathlon Championships, which consisted of a 1500 metre swim, 25 mile bike ride and 10 kilometre run.

However, the veteran, racing in the over-40s competition, did enough to finish ahead of all his fellow UK athletes as he narrowly missed out on the overall top spot.

"It's a great achievement to beat all the over athletes from your own country, even if I didn't win the whole competition," said Nigel, who runs Benfleet Physio.

"With a mile or two to go I was looking good for a top five finish, but I fell away at the end.

"Although, I'm not too disappointed and I'm now looking forward to doing even better at the World Championships in Canada this September."

However, Nigel, who has also taken part in World Championships held in New Zealand and Switzerland, might never have tasted triathlon success if he hadn't needed an operation on his feet.

"I used to be heavily involved in track competition, but I had to give it up after wear and tear led to a trip to hospital for surgery on my feet," added Nigel, who has been a triathlete for eight-years.

"When I hit the comeback trail from my operation I took up swimming and cycling to regain my fitness.

"It was from there that I turned my attentions to competing in triathlons."

Nigel, who trains twice a day, is hoping his next adventure abroad will see him pick up some silverware.

"Even though I was the top UK triathlete in Madeira I didn't win anything, although I did get a good sun tan," he joked.

"But I'm working hard preparing for my next big event in Canada and hopefully I can go one better over there."

Star all-rounder - Nigel Kimpton

Picture: ANDY PALMER

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.