Jacqui Slack is racing on UK shores this weekend at the Ironman 70.3 Staffs race, fresh from her victorious tour in Asia that saw her come home with the XTERRA Asia Pacific tour title.

We caught up with Jacqui ahead of her hometown race to talk about her races on the XTERRA circuit, her homecoming race in Staffordshire and……. cotton balls.

Hey Jacqui, congratulations on winning the XTERRA Asia Pacific tour - tell us a bit about how the races went down and what it means to pick up the title.

I really enjoy racing the Asian Tour this year was my 3rd time. I find the courses have unique challenges unlike anywhere else in the world they are rough, natural and generally very hilly which suits my strengths. I love the heat and humidity over there but most of all we’ve met some very special people and it’s a highlight of the year to go back and spend time with them.

Every year the competition has become stronger in the ladies fields especially, this year we’ve had Flora come to race in the Philippines and Australia which a fantastic opportunity for me to race the best in the world. I’m thrilled to win the Asian Tour it’s taken a couple of years and this year my hard work and dedication to the sport paid off.

You’re back in the UK racing Ironman 70.3 Staff and it’s great to have you back on our shores. There are some formidable competitors in the race - what’s the target and who do you think will be your big competition?

Thank you Rich its lovely to be home even if it is a little colder than expected for the British summer time.

I haven’t really looked to much into my competition but I’m guessing there is a very strong field due to the tier of the event. For me i’m not looking for points or prize money so there is really no pressure I’m just I’m very excited to be racing on home turf.

I’ve been out and ridden and ran the course a few times and I’m confident I will put in a good performance, my biggest competition may well be the cooler temperatures especially in the water, I,m not looking forward to swimming in 11 degrees. The bike and run routes are just stunning and really shows off our traditional English countryside.

The organisers have certainly got their work cut out as there are many roads to close and lots of logistical matters to deal with, fingers crossed it will all run smoothly and the sun will shine.

A few years ago we joked about how your parents had no idea about you winning big races as you raced abroad so much and now you have firstly XTERRA England to lure you back here and now this race, on your doorstep of where you grew up and lived, emerging on the calendar. How exciting is it to be here and for a race of this stature to be on your radar and give you the opportunity to do it here?

It’s a fantastic opportunity to once again race on home soil. I still can’t believe that Staffordshire has attracted more than 2000 competitors to come and race.

Shrugborough Hall is such a stunning venue and I’m proud to showcase it as my home. I’m very much looking forward to catching up with lots of old friends and supporting some close friends whom have traveled far and wide to race Ironman Staffs 70.3. I’m actually looking forward to finishing my race so I can cheer them on as they run 3 laps around the grounds of Shrugborough.

What are your top 3 ambitions for 2015?

To win Xterra Engand, to podium at the ITU Cross Champs and to podium at Xterra World Champs.

You’re back in the UK for XTERRA England on the 30th August, a race that you won in 2013. It’s a huge field being assembled but how motivated are you to win back your hometown race and what do you need to do differently in 2015 to beat the likes of Emma Garrard who is coming back as well?

Most definitely Xterra England is my favorite Xterra race on the circuit and I would love to win back the title.

It’s become one of the biggest European races on the Xterra calendar and it’s a huge credit to the team, including yourself Rich, who have worked so hard to ensure Xterra England is not only a fantastic race but continues to grow year on year.

It has one of the best courses and most friendly atmospheres on the circuit. This is why it has been awarded the European Xterra Champs and has attracted some of the best athletes on the circuit such as Emma Garrard, Helena Erbonover and Katrin Muller. I’m actually super excited for this race as I’m not racing all of the European Tour this year I been more selective with my races giving myself the best opportunity to be fit, fresh and well prepared to give it everything for Xterra England and win back the crown.

You creep ever closer to being the all-time Brit with the most XTERRA championship wins. Sam Gardner has that at 10 and he is sneaking into races this year to try get another one, is it something you are aiming for?

Absolutely that would be a wonderful way to be remembered in the sport but for now as long as I continue to enjoy the racing and inspiring others to have a go then that’s what matters the wins are just a bonus.

Can you tell us a secret about Ben Allen?

This one sounds really silly but he’s afraid of cotton wool….