TEAM Proto-Col Multisport’s season got off to a flying start at the GB Modern Pentathlon Biathle European Championship Qualifying event at Sandford Lido in Cheltenham earlier this month.

Nine members of the Wiltshire club qualified to compete at the European Biathle Championships in Madeira at the end of June.

Will Smith (9-10yrs), Daisy Davies (junior girls), James Gordon (youth boys), Daniela Whiting (senior ladies), Joe Griffiths (senior men), Amanda Drabble (Masters B Ladies 50-60yrs), James Greenwell (Master A 40-50yrs), Kypros Harrison and Richard Smith (Master B 50-60yrs) will all be heading to Portugal this summer.

With many of the Team Proto-Col contingent taking part in only their first or second biathle event at Cheltenham, this was very much billed as a high-level event to gain racing experience in.

However, team members raised their performance across all age groups to come away with three age group titles alongside their Euros qualification.

The youngest team member, Will Smith, set the tone for in the U11 age group, taking an early lead on the first before producing a superb swim. By the time he crossed the line, Smith had built an emphatic lead to finish some 100m ahead of the field.

In the junior girls’ event, elite triathlete Davies dominated from the start to take a classy win.

Greenwell and Harrison led the Team Proto-Col charge in the Master A (40-50yrs) and Masters B (50-60yrs) men’s race, with Greenwell dominating to take the title and first qualification slot.

In the Masters B (50-60yrs) ladies race, Drabble took on a competitive field and finished second.

Team Proto-col head coach, Richard Smith, who also competed and qualified for the European Championships, said: “We set up Team Proto-Col to develop an inspirational and high-quality community multisport programme that caters for all age groups and abilities; is family orientated and helps individuals grow in self-confidence and develop their potential.

“Competition is only a small part of what we are doing, but the results and fantastic team spirit shown at this event, demonstrate that the programme is already having a significant impact”

Team Proto-col Multisport have coached training sessions throughout the week in Trowbridge, Westbury and at Dauntseys School.

The club has both a junior and senior Section and offer an introductory free trial to potential new members. Contact head coach Richard Smith on 07768 552653 for more information.