KEY POINTS:
It was a case of once, twice, almost three times a junior world champion for the multiskilled Aucklander Rebecca Spence this year.
Yet it was the race she failed to win which stuck in the 18-year-old's craw.
Her memorable year began at the world under-20 duathlon championships in Canada. On the hilly course for the 5km run, 20km bike leg and ending with another 2.5km run event at Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Spence obliterated the field to retain her title.
A few days later it was Spa Francorchamps in Belgium and the world junior cycling time trial. This time, seeded 37th out of 45, she caused seasoned cycling jaws to drop with her victory over the 11.8km course. She clocked 18m 53s to finish 22s ahead of Ukrainian Lesya Kalitovska.
She became the sixth New Zealander to win a world title, and the first since Greg Henderson won the open scratch race two years ago.
But on the third leg of what would have been a remarkable treble - the world junior triathlon champs in Lausanne, Switzerland - she came unstuck.
Before leaving Belgium she contested the junior road race and fell, scraping skin from her shoulder to her knuckles and taking flesh out of a leg.
Spence knew within a few strokes of the opening swimming leg that she wasn't right. She finished 12th. It stung.
"I'd trade the other two titles in for that one any day," she reflected.
The year ended with Spence being named ASB Young Sportswoman of the Year. She has represented New Zealand at four sports, and has been collecting titles like other teenagers collect cellphones for years.
Those who know her describe her as tough, bloodyminded and bulletproof. Athletes with her range of talents are rare. Her sights are on the Olympics.
"Once you win something, you want to win something bigger and better."
