HARRY Palmer is out to prove a point when he slips on a Great Britain race suit and jumps into the fray at next year’s European Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships in Geneva.

The 17-year-old, from Chittoe, will be jetting off to Geneva in July 2015 for his first taste of international age group competition in the U20 category.

Palmer, a member of Devizes Swimming Club and Chippenham Wheelers cycling club, attempted to clinch European qualification at May’s Nottingham Triathlon but a fourth-placed finish in his age group proved insufficient.

But his performance did eventually secure him a spot on the plane for the Euros and the teenager, who is a student at Prior Park College in Bath, is looking to prove that he deserved to be there all along.

“I went to the qualifier in Nottingham but didn’t do too well and ended up finishing fourth,” said Palmer, who trains under coach Phil Kibble, who is based in New Zealand, near Calne.

“I thought that was it and I was determined to try really hard to qualify next year.

“I went to the Brownlee Brothers Triathlon, which was in Leeds, in September, and did really well there.

“Then I got an email saying that someone had pulled out and I had got in for the Euros.

“It kind of feels like cheating a bit so I want to go there and prove a point. I don’t know why, but it just feels odd.

“It’s really exciting to be going. I’ve only been doing triathlon for about a year.

“My mum and brother got into it and my dad said why don’t I give it a go?

“I used to do cross country and train at Team Bath and I’ve always done a lot of swimming and cycling.

“Getting used to the transitions is quite hard. At the Nottingham one, I unclipped my helmet to try and save time and you’re not allowed to do that before you rack up your bike. That didn’t go down well.”

One of the most exciting aspects for Palmer of his European Championship bow will be getting his hands on his GB colours.

He added: “A lot of the kit was sold out online so we’re just waiting for it to all come back in stock – it’s going to be great.”

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