SUPREME Sara Northover flew the flag for Kidderminster and Stourport Triathlon Club this week by striking gold at the European Sprint Championships in Lisbon.

The fabulous 51-year-old who is a former World champion beat off British rivals Claire Bloom and Sharon Hall to prove top of the 50-54 age group.

She said: "I was first out of the water in the swimming, which is my strongest event, but I lost time in the transition to the bike because I spilt my kit, which you have to place in a box.

"Four or five competitors slipped past me, but I made up my leading position on the cycle ride and ran into the stadium ahead of the field with Claire Bloom who I managed to get 30 seconds clear of by the finish."

Sara has been competing in triathlons all over the world for the past 20 years and has three British titles to her credit.

She struck gold at the 2011 World Championships in Beijing and also has a Half Ironman national title to her credit as well.

Sara pulled out all the stops in Lisbon following a 750 metres swim, 20 kilometre cycle ride and five kilometre track run.

Sara said: "I didn't start competing in triathlons until my late 20's, my first event was back in 1992.

"I joined TRiKs because I was friends with Jackie and Mark Phillips who founded the club and I have competed all over the world since. I absolutely love it!

She sticks to a punishing training routine that involves 11 sessions per week that includes gym work, swimming, cycling and running.

Sara, who works as a receptionist, gets up at 6-15am to swim, runs in her lunch time and then concentrates on her cycling sessions at the weekend.

She also finds time to compete in cyclo-cross during the winter months and contested the Midland series where she competes for Kenilworth Wheelers.

And Sara is also planning to take part in a few cross country races as well.

She added: "I've only ever competed at triathlon in my age category. To be an elite athlete, you need to full times these days. But if I was a teenager now, I would definitely get into the sport!

Next on Sara's agenda is the swim-run European Aquathon Championships which take place later this month in France.

But she also hopes to help train up and coming triathletes in the future.