It’s not the most conventional sport for Pembrokeshire residents – but it’s one that Chris Gouldsmith excels in on the World stage.

The 31-year-old from Hayscastle has this year competed in both the World and European Winter Triathlon Championships – that entails running, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing.

In the World event in Romania, he represented Team GB and finished fifth in the 30-34 age group category, in what he described as an ‘amazing’ experience.

“The temperatures were changing all the time which made it very tough, for the skiing you had a mixture of slush and wet snow.

“And the atmospheric pressure and the altitude made breathing very difficult. But I loved every minute of it.”

Former Tasker Milward pupil Chris, who regularly heads to countries like Norway, Sweden, and France for skiing training, then took his form to Mt Etna, Italy, where he was crowned European champion in his category.

His success should perhaps come as no surprise as Chris is also a qualified coach who assists with developing various teams and individuals to reach National standard competitions in cross-country skiing and biathlon.

When training in the UK, he combines roller skiing, hill climbing, nordic walking and triathlon training to keep himself in supreme condition for events abroad – but all this has been achieved without receiving any funding from authorities.

Any individuals or companies who would like to help Chris with his excessive travel and training costs can contact him on goldie1chris2-@hotmail.co.uk.