HEATHER JACKSON

After playing ice hockey with the boys from age 6 until high school, followed by four years on Princeton’s Division 1 women’s team, as well as many summers spent training in Lake Placid, NY with the US National Team program, Heather Jackson shifted her athletic focus from ice hockey to the sport of triathlon in 2007.  Raised in a blue-collar, hard-working family, Jackson is a tough competitor with no patience for excuses.  In her first full season as an 18-24 year old amateur triathlete, Jackson qualified for and won the Ironman World Championships in Kona in her age group.  She turned pro at the end of 2009 and through hard work and her aggressive racing style, Jackson has caught the eye of the media and gained an impressive fan base that is addicted to her positive outlook and infectious smile.  At just 27 years of age and only 4 years in the sport, the sky is the limit for this young and exciting phenom. Jackson has just begun her journey in the sport of triathlon and who knows how this story will end, but I guarantee it will be special.

Career Highlights

  • 1st Wildflower Triathlon (2012 – New Course Record @ 4:26:58)
  • 2nd Place- Oceanside 70.3 (2011)
  • 4th Place- Ironman 70.3 World Championships (2011)
  • 5th Place- Ironman 70.3 World Championships (2010)
  • 2nd Place- Steelhead 70.3 (2010)
  • 3rd Place- Timberman 70.3 (2010)
  • 3rd Place- Boise 70.3 (2010)

2012 Results

  • 1st Wildflower Triathlon (New Course Record @ 4:26:58)
  • 1st  Palm Springs Triathlon (1st Overall Men & Women)
  • 2nd Ironman 70.3 Oceanside
  • 3rd Carlsbad Half Marathon (1:15:51)

2011 Results

  • 1st  Camp Pendleton Triathlon
  • 1st  Carlsbad Classic Triathlon
  • 1st  Palm Springs Triathlon
  • 1st  Encinitas Sprint Triathlon
  • 2nd Ironman 70.3 Oceanside
  • 2nd Ironman 70.3 Steelhead
  • 3rd Ironman 70.3 Augusta
  • 4th Ironman 70.3 World Championships
  • 4th  Ironman 70.3 Boise
  • 5th  Revolution 3 Quassy
  • 6th  Ironman 70.3 New Orleans

2010 Results

  • 2nd Ironman 70.3 Steelhead
  • 3rd Ironman 70.3 Timberman
  • 3rd Ironman 70.3 Boise
  • 5th Ironman 70.3 World Championships
  • 5th Ironman 70.3 Mooseman
  • 5th Ironman 70.3 Providence
  • 6th Ironman 70.3 New Orleans

2009 Results

  • 2nd Ironman 70.3 Austin
  • 3rd Ironman 70.3 Providence
  • 3rd  USA National Track Cycling Championships Pursuit
  • 3rd  USA National Track Cycling Championships Int’ Ominum
  • 5th Ironman 70.3 Monaco
  • 5th Amica National Championships

Hometown:
Exeter, New Hampshire

DOB:
April 24, 1984

Education:
BA in Politics | Minor in East Asian Studies, Princeton University 2006

Currently Living in:
Carlsbad, CA

Your Top/Defining Moment as an Athlete:
Almost beating current Ironman World Champion (The Rinsta) at Oceanside 70.3 2011 to be passed with a quarter mile to go.

Favorite Movie:
Hmmm so many favs! Gladiator, Goodwill Hunting, Pretty Woman, Jerry Maguire, Old School/Anchorman/anything with Will Ferrell

Favorite Band/Singer:
AGAIN! So many favs! haha. Right this minute: Lady Gaga. I have 2 styles depending on when I’m running or riding my bike. Running is Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Beyonce, Pink, etc. Cycling is angry- Ozzy, Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Eminem, etc.

Favorite TV Show:
American Idol, Sex and the City, the OLD 90210

Favorite Sports Team:
Boston Bruins/Boston Red Sox

Favorite Sports History Moment:
Hmmm…the only thing coming to mind is Natascha Badmann in one of the NBC Kona videos. I can’t remember which year it is, but there is a shot of her walking on Ali’i Drive and a fan yells “Come on Natascha!” and she smiles and pumps her fist at them, nodding, as if in her head saying Yes! I’ve got this! and she starts running again and goes on to win. I have never met her but she won Kona one year with a swim over an hour and crushed the bike, so she gives me hope! Plus, she’s always smiling. Or, Thomas Voeckler in any given stage of this year’s Tour de France (2011). He never quit.

Favorite Athlete:
Tough one! I like any athlete who trains and races hard, with no excuses, all the while relishing in the joy and fun of their sport.

Favorite Celebrity:
Dotsie Bausch :) Or Wattie. The Biffster (my sister) took back her iPad so now I have very limited access to US Weekly news and celebrity gossip…

Favorite Restaurant:
Wine Steals (Cardiff, CA) or Steve’s (Exeter, NH)….for very different reasons :)

Best Cup of Coffee:
More like Sue’s home-made double Americano’s out of her La Pavoni machine….or any huge cup of EXTRA strong, dark coffee

Favorite Food:
BBQ chicken pizza dipped in Ranch dressing

Favorite After Dinner Treat:
Moist (PT) heated-up chocolate chip cookies

Favorite Beer:
Widmer Hefeweizen with an orange

Favorite Wine:
J. Lohr Cab