- FULL NAME: Yanto Leslie Jones (yes, Leslie — don’t laugh!)
- BIRTHPLACE: Galway City
- OCCUPATION: I’ve had a number of different careers. After finishing school, I studied Electrical Engineering and ended up working in construction for many years. The low point of this was building a new store in Trump Tower on 5th Avenue in New York and having to regularly present our progress to that flute Donald T — yes, thatone who’s currently causing havoc worldwide and resulting in the cost of tires for our fine bikes increasing exponentially. After returning from New York, we were in the midst of the Celtic Tiger crash, so I had to retrain and decided on software engineering. I’ve been doing that ever since and currently work as a Senior Engineering Manager for Genesys.
- PREVIOUS SPORTS: Fishing. I was pretty competitive, travelling around the country and abroad to compete. Ironically, I gave up the competition side because there was too much practice, travel, and expense — only to take up triathlon, where none of those are present. LOL.
- SWIM / BIKE / RUN – which do you prefer and why? All three are new to me, and if you asked me the same question weekly, you’d probably get a different answer. Three months ago, it would have been the bike — I seemed to take to it well enough. Swimming back then was tough (still is), but going from being completely gassed after 15 meters in the pool to swimming with the intermediate group and doing 2k in a session, I’d have to say swimming is my current favorite. The once-dreaded pool session is now one I look forward to. Thanks, Laura!
- FAVOURITE EVENT: I’ve only done one — Try a Tri — so it has to be that. The buzz the night before was similar to when I used to prepare for a big fishing competition: unable to sleep with excitement. Then during the event, meeting other competitors from different clubs and exchanging stories was great, and crossing the finish line, pure relief!
- SPORTING CLAIM TO FAME: When I was 18, I had the privilege of representing Ireland at the World Shore Angling Championships in the Netherlands. What an experience — one that will stay with me forever. I see many of the same traits in GTC as there were in Team Ireland: togetherness, friendship, competitiveness, and also an obsession with toys of the trade 🙂
- GUILTY PLEASURE: After Covid and lockdown ended, my wife and I said life is too short and booked Aniar restaurant, spending a small fortune but enjoying every minute of it — an eight-course tasting menu with wine pairing. Since then, my idea of relaxation is eating nice food and drinking nice wine.
- FAVOURITE PLACE TO TRAIN? The back roads by my house in Rahoon on the bike – countryside, cows, fresh air, all within a stone’s throw of my house – where would you get it?!
- YOUR GTC HERO – AND WHY? There are many, but I’ll mention three. Kate and Dara, for the effort, dedication, encouragement, and energy they brought every day to the Strength & Conditioning sessions.
As a newbie to the club, rocking up to the first session without knowing anyone was a bit daunting, but within minutes I felt like one of the gang. Who wants to get up at 6 AM for S&C? It ended up being a session I looked forward to.
Lastly, James Brennan — 100 × 100 @ 1:30. James, are you taking the p*ss?! If I end up doing 1 × 100 @ 1:30, my year will be made!
