How many World Champions does Frome have? At least two!

Frome's very own Petra Wiltshire did it again - for the third time! In the second week of September Pee became World Champion in the Brazil World Masters Championship for downhill racing. Has Frome suddenly become the cycling mecca of the South West?

The 2010 World Masters Championships were staged this year in Balneario Camboriu, Brazil, 1000km south of Rio on the south east coast of Brazil. This win gives her an astounding ‘hat trick’ of rainbow jerseys – three championships wins on three continents in three categories over the years.

I thought I spotted Petra at the Cobble Wobble, the 'event of the month' in Frome in September. She said to me "I did manage to catch the cobble wobble - great fun it was too!! Next year I will do it!! I am not living in Frome now, mainly based in Switzerland but pass through Frome regularly as mum and family are there. I will be in the area for sure at the end of October for a few weeks."

Of the race itself, just before she won she gave her views on the track,  "The track is one of the most physical I have ridden, just no let up. Everything is on you in a flash. One small mistake is costly as you need to carry lots of speed all the time to clear boulders and jumps. There seems to be a crazy amount of pedalling too. I managed to clear the big finish jump after gentle persuasion from Neil Wilson. He promised it was a doddle and I managed it three times. I will not admit I enjoy it but its the biggest thing I have ever jumped!"

“I got into mountain biking after injury forced me out of hockey playing, and pretty quickly came to love downhill. I’ve raced since 1995 and am not ready to stop! Downhill riding gives you a great sense of freedom and the excitement of getting faster with each attempt at a track. I am one of the lucky few who does a job they love that combines a sport they love!”

Petra's racing career spans 20 years, and she is one of Europe’s leading enduro-downhill racers. A three-time World Masters Champion and European Masters Champion, she splits her time between the UK and Switzerland where she works as a ski and cycling guide.

Results from the race in her category (Women 40 - 50) were;

Petra Wiltshire (UK)                                           3.02.38

Gilmara Leiner (Brazil)                                     +0.24.70

Vanessa Cecilia Vallarin Kneer (Chile)            +0.31.12

For an amazing video of the course see here & more videos of the Championship can be seen here.

You can read Pee's blog here.

Well Done Petra!