THERE are never many positives when struck with a virus and unable to compete, but Bournemouth triathlete Elisabeth Hood is hoping to use the setback to spur her ahead of a big summer.

Embarking on what should have been an exciting European Championships in May, the 18-year-old picked up a lung virus – plaguing her for the best part of two months on and off the competitive circuit.

And despite a couple of indifferent performances, Hood defied expectation – and illness – to record a scintillating performance in the 2016 Kitzbühel Triathlon Junior European Cup in June.

Now with her troubles firmly behind her, the Talbot Heath sixth form student is keen to impress in next month’s British Championships.

“I’m a strong believer in that everything happens for a reason, so maybe it was there to test me,” said Hood, who receives financial support from SSE as part of the Next Generation programme .

“Now it’s time to put it all behind me. I’ve got a few weeks until the British Championships and my age group is possibly the hardest one which is out there due to all the unbelievable talent, so I’ve just got to keep going.

“Finishing a race and having people come up and ask ‘what was wrong?’ is not where I want to be – hopefully that’s all in the past. In some ways, maybe there are positives to take from it. It’s made me experience the tough situation, made me stronger mentally and perhaps that can help me going forward.”

The British Youth and Junior Triathlon Championships marks the first major event for Hood post-illness and with qualification for the World Championships at stake, she’s unlikely to be eased back into her routine.

But the teenager is confident the expectations, from herself as well as others, can be matched when the time comes, while she is also excited about watching those representing GB in Rio.

“The World Championships are always a massive part of racing, the sport is getting bigger and bigger as we’ve seen pushing on from the Olympics in 2012 and how Britain did well, so the sport is definitely on the up. Hopefully, I can carry that on in my own performance,” continued Hood.

“Being among the best Brits in Kitzbühel really spurred me on – it gives you hope heading into the British Championships that this may be a big tournament for you.

“If I can be at full fitness then I’m really looking forward to it – it’s a huge chance to get to the World Championships which is where you want to be.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to go out there with another amazing set of athletes who are still my friends and who I love dearly and be able to get a great team.

“It’s going to be great watching the triathletes in Rio because I have been away with them, I know them and I have trained with some of them, and it’s great to be able to say they are my friends and to see how well they can do.

“I so hope they can do well, and with regards to 2020, I haven’t really thought about it but I have short-term goals that I need to do.”

SSE’s Next Generation programme partners with SportsAid to provide financial support and training to the sports stars of the future. Keep up to date with the latest @SSENextGen