Erin Baker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Erin Baker
MBE

Personal information
Birth name	Erin Margaret Baker
Born	(1961-05-23) 23 May 1961 (age 64) Kaiapoi, New Zealand
Sport
Country	New Zealand
Sport	Triathlon
Medal record Women's triathlon Representing  New Zealand ITU World Championships Gold 1989 Avignon Elite ITU Duathlon World Championships Gold 1991 Cathedral City Elite Ironman World Championship Gold 1987 Individual Gold 1990 Individual Silver 1988 Individual Silver 1991 Individual Silver 1993 Individual

Erin Margaret Baker is a famous former triathlete from New Zealand. She was born on May 23, 1961. Erin won many important world championships and Ironman races during her career. She is known as one of the best female triathletes ever.

Early Life and Family

Erin Baker was born in 1961 in Kaiapoi, a town in New Zealand. When she was 15, her mother, Mary, suggested she try running. Erin quickly showed she was very good at it. Her mother remembered missing Erin crossing the finish line first in her very first cross-country race.

Erin is one of eight children. Her sister, Philippa Baker, is also a well-known New Zealand rower. Two other sisters, Kathy and Maureen, were national champions in swimming and aerobics.

A Champion Triathlete

Erin Baker was coached by John Hellemans at first. However, she mostly trained herself. She pushed her body as much as she could without getting hurt. This intense self-training helped her become very successful.

Erin was also known for speaking her mind. In 1981, she took part in protests during a rugby tour in New Zealand. Because of this, she was not allowed to enter the United States for several years. This meant she could not compete in any American competitions for a while.

She also spoke out at the Hawaii Ironman competitions. She thought it was unfair that the men's winner received a car, but the women's winner received nothing. Erin often shared her strong opinions, which made her a well-known and sometimes controversial athlete.

Erin finished her triathlon career in 1994. She had an amazing record of 104 wins out of 121 triathlons she entered. An American magazine called Triathlete named her "Triathlete of the decade." They said she was "the best female triathlete that ever lived."

In 1993, Erin Baker was given a special award. She was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her great achievements as a triathlete.

Major Achievements

Erin Baker had many impressive wins throughout her career:

• 1984: Won her very first triathlon in Sydney, Australia.
• 1985: Won the world middle-distance championship in Nice, France.
• 1986: Won the New Zealand Ironman female title.
• 1987: Won the New Zealand Ironman female title again.
• 1987: Won the female division at the Ford Ironman championships in Hawaii. She broke the previous course record.
• 1987: Won the world short course title.
• 1988: Won the world middle-distance championship in Nice, France.
• 1988: Won the world short course title.
• 1988: Won the World Championships (Olympic distance) in Canada.
• 1989: Named New Zealand Sportsperson of the Year at the Halberg awards.
• 1990: Won the Women's demonstration Triathlon at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
• 1990: Won the female division at the Ford Ironman championships in Hawaii.
• 1990: Won the New Zealand Ironman female title for the third time.
• 1991: Won the World Duathlon title.
• 1994: Won the New Zealand Ironman female title for the fourth time.
• 1994: Retired as a professional athlete.
• 1995: Was added to the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
• She won a total of 9 Ironman titles.

Life After Triathlon

Erin Baker now lives in Christchurch, New Zealand. She is married to Scott Molina, who is also a former triathlete. They have two children together.

After her sports career, Erin also served as a councillor on the Christchurch City Council. She also worked on the Canterbury District Health Board and other local boards.

See also

In Spanish: Erin Baker para niños