"Obviously winning in Madrid was a massive moment for me," she told insidethegames.

"It was a big step in my career to get my first World Series win.

"It's something that sort of feels very elusive, so when you finally do it, it is very satisfying.

"It proves to yourself that you are up there and that you can actually do it, so it gives you a lot of confidence.

"It was a fantastic moment and something that I will always, always remember."


The reigning under-23 world champion is set to be one of the stars of the London 2013 World Triathlon Grand Final, which is due to take place in Hyde Park from September 11 to 15.

More than 8,500 athletes will take part in elite, paratriathlon, age-group and open competitions on the course that hosted the 2012 Olympic triathlon competition in front of an estimated crowd of over 200,000 spectators.

Over 200,000 spectators are expected to attend the event over the five days of competition


"That is the aim really [to finish season strongly] over the next few races and to move myself up onto the podium," she said.

"I think for the girls the overall rankings are going to be decided in London.

"I don't think there is going to be a clear favourite until that race is run.

"That's going to make it even more exciting because there is going to be a lot more on the line."


The three athletes above Stanford in the rankings are separated by just over 400 points with Germany's Anne Haug ahead of Stanford's teammate Jodie Stimpson, who claimed her first World Triathlon Series win last time out in Kitzbuehel, and Gwen Jorgensen of the United States lies in third position.

Stanford, 24, did not expect to be as high on the ranking table as she is, and revealed that she had more modest targets at the beginning of the season.

"My main aim before the start of the season was to qualify for the [2014] Commonwealth Games [in Glasgow] and after two podiums I managed to meet the criteria, so I can't really do anymore to prove to the selectors that I deserve to go," she said.

However, the win in Madrid and her second place finish in San Diego, along with a strong performance in Kitzbuehel have seen the Swansea native climb the rankings table quickly, much to her own surprise.

"Yes I am surprised, absolutely," she said.

"I knew my training was going really, really well but training and racing are two different entities.

"Some people are awesome at training but not very good at racing, so if you can transfer that into racing, it's always a relief.

"Every athlete's aim is to be consistent and always up there, always doing well and always on the podium.

"It's not easy though; there are a lot of things you have to contend with as an athlete, so if I could get a few podiums every year I would be absolutely delighted."


Consistency is the watchword so far in terms of British triathlon.

In the form of Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee, and his younger brother and current world champion Jonathan, as well as 2011 women's world champion Helen Jenkins, British triathletes have been setting the standard in the sport in recent years.

Jonathan Brownlee and Stanford formed half of the British squad that retained the Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships in Stockholm in 2012, in tandem with Vicky Holland and Will Clarke.

Stanford claimed that these athletes are spurring on the rest of the British squad to success on the world stage, including her teammate Stimpson who sits two places above her in the world rankings.

"It's fantastic that there are so many British athletes doing well in triathlon and I am a firm believer that success breeds success," she said.

"Obviously, I am really happy that Jodie [Stimpson] is doing so well and it does give you extra motivation to keep training hard, even just to be able to compete with the people in your own country, never mind the rest of the world.

"It's hard to be the best in your own country.

"It's fantastic, and that's what you want.

"If the standard is really high at home, then that is always going to drive it up for you."


A former three-time 1500 metres schools' champion in Wales, Stanford says she cannot wait to get back out on the Olympic course in London and is excited by the fact that she will get to perform in front of family and close friends for the first time in a World Triathlon Series event.

"My whole family are coming up to watch," she said.

"They have never watched me race in a World Series event before because it's all over the world and it's difficult to get to, so it will be fantastic to have them here with all my friends.

"Britain is such a proud sporting nation and it's really getting behind triathlon now.

"The momentum is building, so hopefully that can be recreated in London and come across really well.

"It's just so exciting to be here and be a part of it.

"Hopefully home support will really raise the British performances."

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