WESTBURY-BASED 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, Cheltenham.

Despite many of the near 20 team members taking part in only their first or second biathle (run/swim/run) event, the team emerged with with four age group titles and eight team members qualifying for the European Biathle Championships in Weiden, Germany at the end of July.

Elite Junior triathlete Caitlin Wosika set the tone in her early junior girls race, taking to the front, early in the first 1600m run.

With a quick transition she hit the pool with a two-second lead which she extended to five after a strong 200m swim.

Out on the second 1600m run on a slippery grass course, Wosika pushed again, crossing the line some 10 seconds ahead of her closest rival.

James Greenwell and Kypros Harrison led the Team Proto-col charge in the Master A (40-50yrs) race, with experienced pentathlete Greenwell dominating the race to take the title and first qualification slot, Harrison also qualifying.

In the Masters B (50-60yrs) race, triathlete Amanda Drabble came out on top in only her second biathle event.

Experienced Trowbridge-based triathlete Kenny Brown, who had only entered the event at the last minute in support of his granddaughter Esme, who was also racing for the team, surprised himself by winning the Master C (60-70yrs) race in his first ever biathle event and securing qualification.

Other European qualifiers included Will Smith (9-10yrs), Daniela Whiting (senior ladies)

Team proto-col head coach, Richard Smith, who also 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.

"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.”