New Zealand's Erin Baker was last night honoured as one of the first six inductees into the International Triathlon Hall of Fame, being named in Edmonton at the ITU World Championships from the list of 25 nominees released by the ITU a month ago.
Baker is regarded as a great pioneer of the sport, racing at a time when the sport was establishing itself around the world but especially in the United States. Baker was renowned as an athlete who would dominate all opposition over any distance and equally was known for her principled and outspoken stand on all manner of issues – from the sporting to political.
Originally coached by John Hellemans, Baker became self-coached as she continued always to push the boundaries of the sport, winning an ITU World Championship in 1989 and going on to win the Kona Ironman World Championship on two occasions (1987, 1990) and finishing runner-up on a further three occasions. Baker also won the World Duathlon Championships in 1991.
Baker won (along with Rick Wells in the men's) the demonstration event Triathlon at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games and ended her career with an incredible 104 wins from 121 triathlons entered, across all distances and in all parts of the world.
Baker was named "Triathlete of the decade" by American magazine Triathlete. The magazine commented on her success by saying, "We've stopped trying to figure Erin out, we just accept her as the best female triathlete that ever lived."
Baker was recognized in the 1993 New Year Honours, made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services as a triathlete.
Triathlon New Zealand President Garry Boon says Baker was a star that inspired thousands and helped pave the way for the sport.
"Triathlon in New Zealand has a proud and decorated history with contributions from many people in different areas. Few though can match the record that Erin fashioned in the sport across all distances and events, she was simply a fierce competitor with an amazing ability to swim bike and run like no one else then and perhaps since.
"It is thanks to people like Erin that the sport has evolved to the point it has today, globally and here in New Zealand. On behalf of the entire triathlon and sporting community here in New Zealand I extend my congratulations to Erin on her induction into the Hall of Fame, an honour richly deserved."
Inaugural ITU Triathlon Hall Of Fame
Elite Women
- Erin Baker (NZL) – ITU World Champion (1989), 3 x ITU World Cup wins
- Karen Smyers (USA) – 2 x ITU World Champion (1990, 1995), ITU Long Distance World Champion (1996), 7 ITU World Cup wins, ITU World Cup Series winner (1991)
- Emma Carney (AUS) – 2 x ITU World Champion (1994, 1997), 19 ITU World Cup wins, 3 x ITU World Cup Series winner (1995, 1996, 1997)
Elite Men
- Mark Allen (USA) – First ITU World Champion, Multiple ITU Long Distance and World Cup winner
- Simon Lessing (GBR) – 4 x ITU World Champion (1992, 1995, 1996, 1998), Long-Distance Triathlon World Champion (1995), 7 x ITU World Cup wins, Olympian
- Greg Welch (AUS) – ITU World Champion (1990). ITU World Cup Series winner (1991), ITU Duathlon World Champion (1993), ITU World Long Distance Champion (1996)
Lifetime Achievement
- Les McDonald (CAN) – ITU President (1989-2008), Triathlon Canada President (1984-1996), largely credited with adding triathlon to the Olympic Games.
