Sam Herridge exits the transition area during the Ferrol ITU points race. (0861057)

SAM HERRIDGE has maintained her 2009 ITU world points ranking as eighth ranked British triathlete.

That is despite being out of action since the middle of June owing to a flare-up of chronic Achilles tendonitis in both feet.

This followed her last performance in the Ferrol ITU points race in June when she hobbled over the line in 13th place straight into the medical tent for treatment.

‘That race was effectively the end of my season. The last two laps of the run I was in so much pain, but I was still in a points position so I carried on,’ she said.

‘Retrospectively that was a bad move, as my feet flared up so much that I had to completely rest them for a couple of months, and only undertake re-hab work and intensive physio treatment.

‘To say I was upset was an understatement – both for myself and for my two main sponsors, Vets 4 Pets and La Grande Mare Hotel – as they had put so much faith in me.

‘I have had to spend a lot of time evaluating the future.’