Athlete's artistic talents

Aug 17 2006 By The Journal

A North athlete tipped for the 2012 Olympics has been brushing up on her skills - to become a professional artist.

Durham-born Vanessa Raw is one of Britain's rising stars in the triathlon event - despite taking up the sport only 18 months ago.

She won the Dorney Triathlon this year.

But as well as her sporting ambitions, the 22-year-old in the second year of a fine art degree at Loughborough University. "I love to paint, and art has been in my life as long as I can remember," said Vanessa, originally from Plawsworth near Chester-le-Street, where her family still live.