Erin Baker

Erin Baker MBE (born 23 May 1961 in Kaiapoi, New Zealand) is a New Zealand triathlete.

Baker is a well known, female athlete who for years dominated the Olympic distance and Ironman Triathlon circuit. She was known for her outstanding performances in triathlon disciplines and won many World Titles, World Championships and Iron Man titles.

Early life

As a young athlete, Erin proved to have ability. Upon the suggestion by her mother Mary, Erin began running competitively at age 15 and showed ability right from the start. “I remember the first day Erin competed in a cross-country race. I was waiting for her to come in thinking God, she won't be very pleased because she hasn’t done very well. In fact, I missed her crossing the finish line a quarter of an hour earlier, in first place” Palenski & Romanos, (2000), pg 83] This competitiveness and desire has been evident in Erin from an early age and her hunger, victory and ambition was a characteristic of her later success.

One of eight children her siblings include Phillipa Baker (New Zealand rower and 1991 Halberg award winner) and Kathy and Maureen who were both national titlists in swimming and aerobics, proving Erin comes from a very talented sporting family Romanos (2006)]

Competing

This remarkable kiwi athlete was originally coached by John Hellemans but controlled and developed her successful career by self training, “I was self-trained. I just trained as much as my body would handle, and that was a shit load. I trained and trained, and I trained more if I had time. I never got injured so I would often do more in case somebody else was training while I was resting” cite web
url=http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/interview/erinbaker.html|title=Interview by Dan Empfield |publisher=Slow Twitch|accessdate=2008-04-08 |date=1999-10-01] . This quote only highlights the sheer determination of the woman and the competitive desire to win at all costs, even if the costs were physical.

Baker was also well known for her feisty nature. Though this obviously helped her sporting career on a physical level, it held her back off the track and Baker was often the centre of controversy. In 1981 she was convicted of throwing explosive devices while protesting during the South African Rugby team tour of New Zealand. This act prevented her from entering the United States for several years, restricting her from competing in any American competitions Palenski & Romanos, (2000)] . Baker was also known for her protests at the Hawaii Ironman competitions when she rebelled against the notion of the winner of the men’s division receiving a car and the women’s division winner receiving nothing for her efforts. She voiced her opinions on numerous occasions and as a result was well known as a controversial athlete cite web
url=http://www.insidetriathlon.com/article/70004/smackdown-who-are–the-top-three-female-triathletes|title=SMACKDOWN!: Who Are the Top Three Female Triathletes of All Time?|publisher=Inside Triathlon|accessdate=2008-04-08 |date=2008-02-27]

Post triathlon career

Christchurch where she now resides with fellow triathlete and husband Scott Molina. Together she and Scott (nicknamed Skid) have two children; Miguel and Tandia.

With a remarkable career under her belt, she finished her triathlon stint in 1994 with an extraordinary record of 104 wins from 121 triathlons entered. (Romanos, 2006).

As well as being recognised by New Zealanders and athletes world-wide in the sport of triathlon, Erin Baker was also named “Triathlete of the decade” by American magazine Triathlete; a remarkable feat in itself. The magazine commented on Erin’s success by saying “We’ve stopped trying to figure Erin out, we just accept her as the best female triathlete that ever lived” (Palenski & Romanos, 2000). This is true recognition of a deserving athlete.

As a kiwi sporting legend it is remarkable this world renowned athlete has not been recognised more for her achievements, with information about Erin Baker hard to obtain. Erin Baker is a legend in her own right and deserves all recognition she can receive for her creditable achievements at a very high level. She is a female kiwi athlete we should all be proud to claim as our own.

Results

* 1984 entered and won her first ever triathlon in Sydney
* 1985 won the world middle distance championship in Nice, France
* 1986 New Zealand Ironman female winner (8.26.3)
* 1986 Won the world middle distance championship in Nice, France
* 1987 New Zealand Iron Man female winner (8.17.3)
* 1987 Winner of female division at Ford Ironman championships in Hawaii (shattered previous course record)
* 1987 Winner of the world short course title
* 1988 Won the world middle distance championship in Nice, France
* 1988 Winner of the world short course title
* 1988 Won World Championships (Olympic distance) in Canada
* 1988 Winner of the world short course title
* 1989 Named New Zealand Sportsperson of the year at Halberg awards
* 1990 Gold medallist at the Commonwealth games, Auckland in Triathlon.
* 1990 Winner of female division at Ford Ironman championships in Hawaii
* 1990 New Zealand Ironman female winner (9.38.3)
* 1991 Won the World Duathlon title
* 1994 New Zealand Ironman female winner (9.54.1)
* 1994 Retired as a professional athlete
* 1995 Inducted in the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame

* Winner of 9 Ironman titles

References

ources

* Romanos, J. (2006). New Zealand’s top 100 sports history-makers. Wellington: Trio Books Limited.

* Palenski, R. & Romanos, J. Champions. New Zealand sports greats of the 20th century. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett Publishers Limited.
* [http://www.insidetriathlon.com/article/70004/smackdown-who-are-the-top-three-female-triathletes-of-all SMACKDOWN!: Who Are the Top Three Female Triathletes of All Time?] - Inside Triathlon
* [http://vnews.ironmanlive.com/holdingcell/2001/april-2001/new-zealands-wonder-woman (Retrieved on March 16th 2008)]
* [http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/interview/erinbaker.html (Retrieved March 16th 2008)]

Links

* [http://vnews.ironmanlive.com/holdingcell/2001/april-2001/new-zealands-wonder-woman New Zealand's Wonder Woman]
* [http://www.ccc.govt.nz/elections/2004/candidateinformationbooklet2004.pdf 2004 Christchurch Election results]
* [http://www.powerupdates.com/clients/halberg/pages/a_article.asp?pid=0&cid=-630935410&aid=789227824 Halberg Award]