Emily Taylor-Nagel’s transition to becoming a professional triathlete gathered pace last weekend with a fantastic finish at the Challenge Salou Triathlon in Spain.

Taylor-Nagel completed the 1,900-metre swim, the 90km bike and the 21km run in 4hr 36min 59sec to place first in the 30-34 age group and third female overall.

The result is the latest in a string of fine performances that has vindicated her decision to use the money earned from professional sailing in the past few years to bankroll her ambition to become a full-time athlete.

“I’ve been really proud of the progress I’ve made over the past few years and it’s grown from a hobby to my main focus,” said Taylor-Nagel, who got married last year.

“This year I’m almost a full-time athlete and still self-funded from my work as a sailor, but I’m really trying to prove that it’s never too late to start something and we don’t have to be defined by one thing.

“I love how rewarding triathlon has been. The hours you put in translate into fitness and performance. I am lucky to be supported by other amazing athletes and I am now based in Girona, where a lot of the Olympic triathletes, including Tyler Smith, are and that has been brilliant for improving.

“I swim with a squad of pro women, including Olympic silver medal-winner Taylor Spivey, which is a humbling experience but so inspiring. I am hoping to transition to professional racing at the end of the year, so I’m trying to give it everything and go all in. Financially, it’s been hard but we never know what we are capable of if we don’t try.”

But back to Salou, and Taylor-Nagel is already showing that she is among the best of those bubbling under the professional ranks and she is pleased with her performance in Costa Dorada.

“Overall I’m pretty happy with the result in Salou as it was my first event of the year and just a shakeout to see where I am after a big four-month training block,” she said.

“It was a very tricky day mostly due to the logistics. Unlike many Ironman events they started all the women after all the men, which meant the swim and transition areas in particular were very busy, so I spent a lot of the time just trying to avoid the carnage.

“I always love the swim, though, and this one was a little rough and tactical with a two lap, Aussie exit and I was able to lead out the water by more than 30 seconds with a new race PB and a time that had I been racing in the pro field would have put me mid-pack.

“The bike was tough with lots of U-turns and laps which tested my handling and is definitely the big area to work on going forward. I did lose a couple of places, which was frustrating but also motivating. Having been alone out of the water there was not any packs to pace myself against, so I got a little bit lonely.

“The run was hard and in the first 5km I wasn’t sure I’d even finish, I was even sick at the 6km point but the support was brilliant and I ultimately locked in to a steady pace, regained one position and almost caught the girl ahead of me, but not quite.”

Taylor-Nagel has a lofty ambition in the remaining six months of the year and feels she is on course for a good season.

“The main goal this year is the Ironman World Championships in Kona, so to come away with a PB and podium was a nice sign that the hard work is paying off and hopefully things will keep building through the season,” she said.

“The main thing this weekend was learning where my weaknesses are and working out the plan going forwards to address them. A big focus before Kona will be managing the heat on the run.”