MELISSA Reid said she is looking forward to teaming up with her regular guide at the European Paratriathlon Championships on Saturday.

The Porthtowan athlete goes to Kitzbuhel in Austria as the reigning champion and is aiming to retain the Tri6B category title she won in Turkey last year. For the race, Reid will once again be tethered to Nicole Waters after having to take part in her last two races with a different guide, Melissa King.

Reid won both the events, in Japan and Hyde Park, with her pal from Newquay, but she said it will be good to team up with Waters again.

“Me and Nicole met up for a training ride last week and it went well, so I am really looking forward to race with her again,” Reid said.

“The last two races were all about just finishing as there were with a different guide.

“It is so important to have a good relationship and understanding with your guide as you're tethered together throughout the swim, cycle and run so you need to trust each other.”

She went onto say training in general has gone really well in recent weeks building up to the race in Austria.

Having claimed gold at the same event last year, Reid believes she will win again and is not feeling any pressure.

Reid said: “For me anything other than winning gold is disappointing.

“I don't think there will be any extra pressure on me this time despite the fact I'm the defending champion and I'm feeling good heading into the event.

“I reckon the Spanish competitors will put up a strong challenge as they always do.

“But I'm confident I'll do well. I just try and take every race as it comes and make sure my performance is right on the day.

“But this and the World Championship's are the two races I aim to win each year, so I'll be going for it in Austria.”