Opinion
CyclingVale Jackie Fairweather
:focal(174x147:176x145)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2016/01/04/1764690-37291963-310-310.jpg)
Published 11/12/2015 at 16:28 GMT
Southern Spin joins the sport of triathlon in mourning the tragic loss of a world champion triathlete and a Hall of Fame human being…
Vale Jackie Fairweather
Image credit: Eurosport
The news noting the passing of former triathlon and duathlon world champion Jackie Fairweather hit Southern Spin, like many, with a shocking jolt of reality that now 24 hours later still has yet to fully sink in.
What was to be a typical Tuesday column, waxing lyrical on the prior weekend’s festivities in Noosa and Coolangatta, has given way to hours staring blankly at a laptop wondering just what to say.
The Internet, so often a source of angst and negativity, has been a sounding board of love and support as tribute after tribute continues to flow in for the 2012 Triathlon Australia Hall of Fame inductee:
“I seriously have no words… I will never forget you or the many wonderful times we had together…” – Belinda Granger
“So gutted and sad to hear of your turmoil… the triathlon world is worse off for your absence…” – Dr Michael Maroney OAM
“Sad news that one of Australia's greatest sportswomen Jackie (Gallagher) Fairweather passed away today. What an Aussie icon and inspiration she was to so many…” – Scott McGrory OAM
“Not only a hero for your athletic abilities, but your generosity to help many up-and-coming athletes to pave a way for themselves and the future of the sport is second to none…” – Emma Snowsill OAM
Details of Fairweather’s passing have been vague, but it has been reported that the 46-year-old tragically took her own life – this coming after Academy Award-winning actor, comedian and cycling enthusiast Robin Williams took his own life after suffering from a life-long battle with depression.
Triathlon Australia’s CEO Anne Gripper, also a personal friend of Fairweather and her husband Simon, released a statement on Tuesday.
“It has been a tough 24 hours for us all and our hearts and thoughts go out to Simon and the Gallagher and Fairweather families at this time,” said Gripper.
“She was a remarkable Australian who put her heart and soul into everything she ever did.”
As an athlete, Jackie was a legendary figure in the sport – winning the 1996 ITU Triathlon World Championship and the 1996 and 1999 ITU Duathlon World Championships. In fact, she was the first athlete to win both the triathlon and duathlon world titles in the same year.
In 2002, Fairweather (née Gallagher) switched to marathon running and won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England. She would later change her name after marrying Sydney Olympic archery gold medalist Simon Fairweather in 2004, with the couple recently celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary.
To list all of Fairweather’s athletic accomplishments would be overwhelming. Her palmarès stacks up with the world’s best, however it was something that fellow Hall-of-Famer, rival and friend Emma Carney says may not have been enough for Fairweather – the consummate perfectionist.
“Jackie was a perfectionist and I think perhaps she never really appreciated – or realised – all that she achieved,” Carney told the Canberra Times on Tuesday.
“I am devastated to hear the news of Jackie," she added.
"She was a fierce competitor, a teammate, a coach, a leader and later, a friend.
"I will cherish the battles I had with her.”
Southern Spin was fortunate to spend some time with Fairweather at the 2012 Hall of Fame induction in Sydney, along with fellow inductees Carney and Loretta Harrop. Most recently, Southern Spin enjoyed a Twitter exchange in mid-October with both Fairweather and Carney after asking who was Australia’s greatest female triathlete: three-time Ironman World Champion Mirinda Carfrae or Olympic gold medallist Emma Snowsill?
Carney was quick to remind Southern Spin that the Class of 2012 should be included in the mix when posing such a question, to which Southern Spin readily agreed. In typical Fairweather style, the Australian Institute of Sport’s first U23 triathlon coach tweeted she was honoured to be on the list, and that both Carfrae and Snowsill were two of her original AIS “kids” in 2001, accompanied with the hashtag “I take credit.”
Southern Spin takes solace that the last correspondence with Fairweather via Twitter simply stated “WE ALL LOVE YOU, JFG! #legend.” Those words rang true then, now and forever.
If only you truly knew.
Farewell, Jackie Fairweather… you are sadly missed!
Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 131 114; Mensline 1300 789 978; Beyondblue 1300 224 636.
Aaron S. Lee | Follow on Twitter
What was to be a typical Tuesday column, waxing lyrical on the prior weekend’s festivities in Noosa and Coolangatta, has given way to hours staring blankly at a laptop wondering just what to say.
The Internet, so often a source of angst and negativity, has been a sounding board of love and support as tribute after tribute continues to flow in for the 2012 Triathlon Australia Hall of Fame inductee:
“I seriously have no words… I will never forget you or the many wonderful times we had together…” – Belinda Granger
“So gutted and sad to hear of your turmoil… the triathlon world is worse off for your absence…” – Dr Michael Maroney OAM
“Sad news that one of Australia's greatest sportswomen Jackie (Gallagher) Fairweather passed away today. What an Aussie icon and inspiration she was to so many…” – Scott McGrory OAM
“Not only a hero for your athletic abilities, but your generosity to help many up-and-coming athletes to pave a way for themselves and the future of the sport is second to none…” – Emma Snowsill OAM
Details of Fairweather’s passing have been vague, but it has been reported that the 46-year-old tragically took her own life – this coming after Academy Award-winning actor, comedian and cycling enthusiast Robin Williams took his own life after suffering from a life-long battle with depression.
Triathlon Australia’s CEO Anne Gripper, also a personal friend of Fairweather and her husband Simon, released a statement on Tuesday.
“It has been a tough 24 hours for us all and our hearts and thoughts go out to Simon and the Gallagher and Fairweather families at this time,” said Gripper.
“She was a remarkable Australian who put her heart and soul into everything she ever did.”
As an athlete, Jackie was a legendary figure in the sport – winning the 1996 ITU Triathlon World Championship and the 1996 and 1999 ITU Duathlon World Championships. In fact, she was the first athlete to win both the triathlon and duathlon world titles in the same year.
In 2002, Fairweather (née Gallagher) switched to marathon running and won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England. She would later change her name after marrying Sydney Olympic archery gold medalist Simon Fairweather in 2004, with the couple recently celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary.
To list all of Fairweather’s athletic accomplishments would be overwhelming. Her palmarès stacks up with the world’s best, however it was something that fellow Hall-of-Famer, rival and friend Emma Carney says may not have been enough for Fairweather – the consummate perfectionist.
“Jackie was a perfectionist and I think perhaps she never really appreciated – or realised – all that she achieved,” Carney told the Canberra Times on Tuesday.
“I am devastated to hear the news of Jackie," she added.
"She was a fierce competitor, a teammate, a coach, a leader and later, a friend.
"I will cherish the battles I had with her.”
Southern Spin was fortunate to spend some time with Fairweather at the 2012 Hall of Fame induction in Sydney, along with fellow inductees Carney and Loretta Harrop. Most recently, Southern Spin enjoyed a Twitter exchange in mid-October with both Fairweather and Carney after asking who was Australia’s greatest female triathlete: three-time Ironman World Champion Mirinda Carfrae or Olympic gold medallist Emma Snowsill?
Carney was quick to remind Southern Spin that the Class of 2012 should be included in the mix when posing such a question, to which Southern Spin readily agreed. In typical Fairweather style, the Australian Institute of Sport’s first U23 triathlon coach tweeted she was honoured to be on the list, and that both Carfrae and Snowsill were two of her original AIS “kids” in 2001, accompanied with the hashtag “I take credit.”
Southern Spin takes solace that the last correspondence with Fairweather via Twitter simply stated “WE ALL LOVE YOU, JFG! #legend.” Those words rang true then, now and forever.
If only you truly knew.
Farewell, Jackie Fairweather… you are sadly missed!
Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 131 114; Mensline 1300 789 978; Beyondblue 1300 224 636.
Aaron S. Lee | Follow on Twitter
Photo courtesy Triathlon Australia
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement