Meeting Greg Welch or I can't ride a horse

In 1991, while running at his local cross-country club, Chris met a bubbly character named Greg Welch. Chris had no idea that »Welchy«, as he was known, was one of Australia's greatest triathletes. Greg asked Chris, if he had ever considered triathlon as a sport after he stunned Welchy, one of triathlons' most accomplished runners, with his running ability. I can't ride a horse. answered Chris naively. Greg had to explain that horse riding was associated with the other 'athlon' not triathlon.
Encouraging Chris to borrow a bike he competed in his first triathlon in Wollongong, won it and from then on was hooked. Selected in the Australian Junior Team, Chris headed off to the Junior Triathlon World Championships held in Manchester and came fourth.

Lucky to be alive, graduating and  winning his first ITU World Cup race in Drummondville in 1996

On his return to Australia at the end of 1994, disaster struck. Out training on Boxing Day (26th December), Chris came off his bike on a steep descent at high speed after his front tyre blew out. Breaking his collar bone and injuring arms and legs and lucky to be alive, Chris realised he would be out of the sport for a while and decided to concentrate his efforts on completing his University degree, finally graduating in 1996.
A new, more serious Chris emerged to give the sport he loved a ..real go.. At the Paris triathlon, Chris found professional life tough with limited sponsors but after raising money through various fund raising events, Chris finally made it to the ITU World Cup race in Drummondville, Canada, were he went on to win. With that win under his belt, a wild card entry into the World Cup and enough money to get to other races, Chris ended the 1996 ITU season in the top ten.
Returning to Australia after a brilliant debut professional year, Chris decided to move from Sydney and base himself on the Gold Coast under the guidance of Col Stewart, father of 1991 World Champion, Miles Stewart. Under his guidance, Chris became fitter, more focused and a consistent podium athlete. However, in his preparation for the assault on the World Cup in Perth, Chris returned home to his roots, to concentrate on his weaker leg, the swim. Coached by Dick Caine, well accredited with past Olympic and swimming World Champions, the gamble paid dividends!

1997/98 Triathlon World Champion

On a brilliant Australian summers day in Perth, in front of his home crowd, Chris won and in doing so not only sealed the ITU World Cup Series ahead of Hamish Carter. He was also crowned the undisputed »1997/98 Triathlon World Champion« and the first ever male athlete to win »The Double«.
The years between Chris's World Championship win and the Sydney Olympics were like a roller coaster ride for the young World Champion. He became a familiar face in his home country of Australia and abroad and was featured in television commercials and major advertising campaigns for Corporate Giants, Energy Australia, Mizuno and Lever and Kitchen. Chris quickly learned exactly what the life of a professional athlete really entailed, and the responsibilities that are brought upon an athlete. It was a turbulent time for Chris as he represented the face of Australian Triathlon moving towards the Sydney Olympics. Although proud of his achievements, the overwhelming limelight and somewhat overnight succss required Chris to mature as a person at a very early age.
In the year leading up to Triathlons debut at the Sydney Olympics, Chris lost his mother Theresa to breast cancer. After starting the season with an impressive series of races including victory at the opening round of the World Cup series in Gamagori - Japan, Chris regained the World number 1 position. However, shortly afterward, he returned home to his worsening mother in hospital and on April 26, 1999 only 7 days after his impressive Gamagori win, his mother past away in St George hospital Sydney, surrounded by her family. Chris then chose to cancel the remainder of his international racing commitments and stayed at home with his family. He was placed on the Australian World Championship team and traveled to Montreal to compete. It was evident that a lack of racing left Chris off the podium in Montreal as he faded in the later stages of the run to finish 12th. It was a difficult time for Chris but he decided to return to his racing and pursue his dream of Olympic success, something that his mother would have encouraged.

Left off the Australian Olympic Team

After a devastating domestic season in 2000, culminating in a sprint finish for the Australian Triathlon title in Mooloolaba, where he was again runner up, Chris was controversially left off the Australian Olympic Team despite being the highest ranked Australian on the World rankings (number 3). He immediately packed up his belongings and left Australian shores, bewildered at national selectors decisions to leave him off his first Olympic Team. Disillusioned with Australian racing, Chris relocated to America where he remained undefeated for 18 months. With over 130 Professional race wins, World Championships titles, World Cup series wins and being ranked World number 1 for almost 2 years over the short course distance and never ranked outside the top 5 in the world for his entire short course career Macca cemented his reputation on the triathlon circuit as a big time performer.

Move to long course racing in 2002 and chasing even more dreams

Only the future will tell what is in store for Chris. His move to long course racing was much anticipated and his success has been dynamic. Since doing his first Ironman in 2002 Macca has won an amazing 10 Ironman races and has recently (2007) won the Ironman World Championships in Kona Hawaii. This was his life long dream and what inspired him to do Triathlon. He now has 3 sub 8-hour Ironman performances (PR 7:54:23) to his name and 15 major Half Ironman vistories in the last 4 years. His winning marathon time of 2:42 this past year in Hawaii was the 3rd fastest ever and the fastest on the new run course.
Macca is a very passionate man whose drive, determination and committment is inspiring. He has a huge fan base, a committed family and a focus and drive to succeed that is unwavering. He is committed to fullfilling his childhood dream of being the best athlete he can be.
»I have now achieved everything I have ever dreamed for in this sport by winning Ironman Hawaii. It just goes to show when you never stop believeing, never stop chasing your dreams -- anything is possible!  People love to tell you things are not possible and criticise commitment. I want to show my children that dreaming is great and by being brave and having the courage to pursue those dreams is what life is all about. Some people will always criticise you for this approach but that is because they lack the courage to chase and to dream. I will never stop believing and will encourage my children and others to live the same way. It has been fulfilling for me.«