LISBON - New world champion Vanessa Fernandes is determined to make triathlon history for Portugal and win the women's gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.
Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal poses for photographers during the medal ceremony of the Hamburg BG Triathlon World Championships ITU Elite Women Olympic-distance race in Hamburg September 1, 2007. Fernandes won the competition in one hour 53 minutes 27 seconds, Emma Snowsill of Australia placed second followed by Laura Bennet of the USA. [Agencies] |
After enjoying one of the most dominant seasons in the history of the sport, the 22-year-old said: "The gold medal is now one of my goals but my biggest goal of all is to make history for Portugal."
Fernandes suffered a black eye from a kick during the swimming leg of her win at the Portuguese championship on Sunday, but typically shrugged it off, saying: "It's normal, these things happen in triathlon."
The Olympic gold is one of the few titles missing from the Fernandes trophy cupboard after becoming world champion in Hamburg last month.
"It's strange because I don't have a lot of experience but things happened this way because of my hard work," she said.
Fernandes has 12 consecutive world cup victories to her credit and 19 overall, matching the career record of Australia's retired two-time world champion Emma Carney.
WORLD TITLE
Meanwhile as ever, there looms the second great Australian triathlete called Emma -- three-time world champion Emma Snowsill who Fernandes beat last month over the Olympic course in Beijing and in Hamburg for the world title two weeks earlier.
"Others will appear but at this time Emma is one of the most difficult girls to beat," the Portuguese said.
Fernandes is the daughter of a former cycling champion from a small town in Northern Portugal and was introduced to triathlon by her father, Venceslau, at the age of 14.
"I think he always believed in me and knew I could become what I am today. But success is only possible with a lot of hard work," said Fernandes, who trains up to six hours every day.
Her father remains an inspiration. "I call him before every race because he knows how I feel and how to calm me down before the race," she said.
Once Fernandes forgot to put on her shoes at the end of the bicycle leg so she ran halfway barefoot before borrowing a shoe from a team mate and completing the rest of the 5-km leg.
"This hilarious episode is very revealing of the will and determination that Vanessa has in reaching the finish line," said coach Sergio Santos.
Portuguese Olympic marathon winner Rosa Mota is one of her heroes. What Fernandes may not know is that she too has conquered Mota's heart and the hearts of her country's 10 million people.
"Vanessa is an excellent athlete, she has had a brilliant career and I wish her the greatest success in the Olympics," said Mota.
