Kate Waugh knows how to make an impact. On her T100 Triathlon World Tour debut in Singapore in April, she won in emphatic style, beating the rest of the field over the 100km distance (2km swim, 80km cycle, 18km run) by more than six minutes.
The British triathlete has finished on the podium in five more races this year, including another win in Wollongong, Australia, and leads the women’s standings heading into the final race of the series in Qatar on Friday.
Here Waugh, who finished 15th in the triathlon at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, talks travel adventures, TV favourites and her treasured blanket.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
This happened fairly recently. In Paris last year, when I was there for the Olympics, I crashed a Lime bike while wearing my full Team GB kit… A load of people tried to help me up and were asking what event I was in. I didn’t tell them and hid my name pass because I didn’t want them to know I rode a bike for a living.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Probably something from The Incredibles, Elastigirl or Frozone. Or teleportation would be pretty cool; travelling with a bike is my least favourite thing about triathlon.
What is the best compliment you have ever received?
Probably whenever someone tells me they were inspired to get into sport or exercise from watching my races or meeting me. That’s pretty cool.
Describe yourself in three words.
Driven, hard-working, slightly chaotic.
What is the one rule you would like to change in your sport?
Take away paywalls. Sport should be free for people to watch and be inspired by.
If you could switch lives with anyone in the world for a day, who would it be and why?
Probably a big artist like Dua Lipa, just to see what it’s like to perform in front of thousands of people. She also looks like she enjoys her time around performing too.
What is the best concert you have been to?
I went to Oasis this summer – that was pretty damn good.
What is your worst habit?
Hmm… I’m not the best at being on time. I could definitely improve this.
What is your favourite childhood memory?
Playing on the beach with my sister and my beautiful dog. It could have been Northumberland [where Waugh grew up] or France – we always seemed to be at the beach and I loved it and still do.
What is your most prized possession?
I’ve got a green blanket I’ve had since I was a baby.
What is your dream three-course meal and dinner guests?
Starter: Burrata with tomatoes. Main: Steak, fries and a glass of red wine. Dessert: Sticky toffee pudding.
Guests… Oooh, so many to choose from. Probably some fun celebrities, the likes of Adele, Jennifer Lawrence; I love Emma Chamberlain. Then also my best friends to enjoy the moment with too.
What is your biggest non-sporting achievement?
I graduated from the University of Leeds earlier this year [with a degree in psychology].
If you could go on any reality TV show what would it be and why?
Hmm, probably Race Across The World. I would love to see the world in a different way instead of just for races.
What is your karaoke song?
With my sister, Rock DJ by Robbie Williams.
Do you prefer a night in or a night out?
Night out. I’m from the North East, so a night out in Newcastle is just the best.
What is your favourite WhatsApp group?
The one with my school friends. We’re a bunch of 26-year-old’s going through life, living all over the place now and we update each other on funny stories and life events.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Never be ashamed to be 100 per cent authentically you. The people in your circle will be the people that love you for exactly who you are.
What is the most ridiculous thing you have ever bought?
Too many things come to mind. I buy a lot of clothes but you can never have too many clothes, right?
If you had a time machine, would you go back in time or go to the future?
Back in time, to tell 14-year-old me that all those early starts and cold mornings would be worth it. I would also tell her to relax, enjoy every day and everything is going to be fine.
What has been your favourite holiday?
So far… I took a year out and travelled to New Zealand and Australia. I learnt so much and met so many great people.
Do you have any hidden talents or a party trick?
I’m pretty good at handstands. I used to do gymnastics when I was a kid and that’s one skill I managed to hold on to.
What is the best book you have ever read?
Educated by Tara Westover – an incredible memoir that tells a story of finding inner strength and walking away from things that limit you.
And what is your favourite TV show?
I love the comfort shows: Friends and Sex and the City are my personal favourites.
Watch the final race of the T100 series live on TNT Sports or PTO+ from 7am (BST time) December 12. For more info visit: www.t100triathlon.com