BENFLEET teenager Kiera Tippett admits she surpassed her own expectations after she won a silver medal at the Aquathlon European Championships.

The 16-year-old ran and cycled a superb race in the 16-19 age category, which took place in Cologne, Germany, in what was her first international competition in the discipline.

Tippett finished only 11 seconds behind the more experienced German athlete Isabel Neese last weekend, in a time of 38m 06s after a superb second-half to the race saw her edge closer to the winner.

Tippett swam the distance in 15m 51s before a quick change over and a rapid run of 21m 22s – almost a minute quicker than the winner.

And although she was unable to take gold, the Team GB starlet was delighted with the way she performed ahead of a busy 12 months.

“I am so pleased,” she said. “Considering this was my first international event in the aquathlon it couldn’t have gone much better and I am still quite shocked.

“I ran in the youngest race, but there were still competitors much older than me and I was the youngest in the age group as well.

“I thought I was doing OK, but it was when I heard my mum screaming, ‘you are only eight seconds behind the leader,’ that I thought I would be in with a real shout. But as soon as I sped up so did she.”

“It was a nerve-wracking feeling watching them prepare for the race beforehand, but my coach (Perry Agass) said I would have to get used to it.

“We arrived a few days early and there was no one else here, so I was concerned we had gone to the wrong place at first!”

Tippett ran alongside the elite women in the race and said it was a great experience to compete alongside them, as well as watching the men who began five minutes earlier. The second-placed finish marks a successful start to a jam-packed year for Tippett who will be competing in the ITU World Triathlon Grand Finals in Chicago, USA, in September.

She will also be racing in the ETU Sprint Distance Triathlon European Championships, in Lisbon, Portugal, next May as well as the European Duathlon.

She says she will be doing a lot of training this summer, while trying to forget the GCSE results due out in six weeks time.

“Doing well in these championships has prepared me well for what is to come,” she said. “I know what I need to improve on now and I can get that focus before I go to America.

“I am enjoying it as well, which is important, while trying to forget about my GCSE results.

“I will be working on my open water swimming and I should be in a good place ahead of the World Championships.”

Tippett has also been boosted by the support of Southend firm Sovereign Play Equipment, which is helping fund her competitions as well as providing clothing for events.

She said: “Their help means a lot and I am really excited we are working together.