# Erin Baker > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Erin_Baker > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Erin_Baker.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Baker > Source revision: 1342283894 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) New Zealand triathlete (born 1961) Erin Baker MBE Personal information Born Erin Margaret Baker (1961-05-23) 23 May 1961 (age 65) Kaiapoi, New Zealand Sport Country New Zealand Sport Triathlon **Erin Margaret Baker** [MBE](/source/Member_of_the_Most_Excellent_Order_of_the_British_Empire) (born 23 May 1961) is a former New Zealand [triathlete](/source/Triathlon). She won many world championship and Ironman titles. ## Early life Baker was born in 1961 in [Kaiapoi](/source/Kaiapoi), New Zealand. Upon the suggestion by her mother, Mary, Baker began running competitively at age 15 and showed ability right from the start. "I remember the first day Erin competed in a cross-country race. I was waiting for her to come in thinking God, she won't be very pleased because she hasn’t done very well. In fact, I missed her crossing the finish line a quarter of an hour earlier, in first place."[1] Baker is one of eight children. Her siblings include [Philippa Baker](/source/Philippa_Baker_(rower)) (New Zealand rower and 1991 & 1994 Halberg award winner) and Kathy and Maureen who were both national titlists in swimming and aerobics.[2] ## Competitive career Baker was originally coached by [John Hellemans](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Hellemans&action=edit&redlink=1) but controlled and developed her successful career by self-training, "I was self-trained. I just trained as much as my body would handle, and that was a shit load. I trained and trained, and I trained more if I had time. I never got injured so I would often do more in case somebody else was training while I was resting".[3] In 1981 she was convicted of throwing explosive devices while protesting during the [South African Rugby team tour of New Zealand](/source/1981_Springbok_Tour). This act prevented her from entering the [United States](/source/United_States) for several years, restricting her from competing in any American competitions.[1] Baker was also known for her protests at the [Hawaii Ironman](/source/Ironman_Triathlon) competitions when she rebelled against the notion of the winner of the men's division receiving a car and the women's division winner receiving nothing for her efforts. She voiced her opinions on numerous occasions and as a result was well known as a controversial athlete.[4] She finished her triathlon career in 1994 with a record of 104 wins from 121 triathlons entered.[2] Baker was named "Triathlete of the decade" by American magazine *Triathlete*. The magazine commented on her success by saying, "We’ve stopped trying to figure Erin out, we just accept her as the best female triathlete that ever lived".[1] In the [1993 New Year Honours](/source/1993_New_Year_Honours_(New_Zealand)), Baker was appointed a [Member of the Order of the British Empire](/source/Member_of_the_Order_of_the_British_Empire), for services as a triathlete.[5] ## Results - 1984 entered and won her first ever triathlon in Sydney - 1985 won the world middle-distance championship in Nice, France - 1986 New Zealand Ironman female winner (9:26.3) - 1986 Won the world middle-distance championship in Nice, France (Disqualified 8 hours post race due to rule infractions) - 1987 New Zealand Iron Man female winner (9:17.3) - 1987 Winner of female division at Ford Ironman championships in Hawaii (shattered previous course record) - 1987 Winner of the world short course title - 1988 Won the world middle-distance championship in Nice, France - 1988 Winner of the world short course title - 1988 Won World Championships (Olympic distance) in Canada - 1988 Winner of the world short course title - 1989 Named New Zealand Sportsperson of the year at Halberg awards - 1990 Won the Women's demonstration [Triathlon](/source/Triathlon) at the [1990 Commonwealth Games](/source/1990_Commonwealth_Games); competed in Women's 10,000 m in National championships - 1990 Winner of female division at Ford Ironman championships in Hawaii - 1990 New Zealand Ironman female winner (9.38.3) - 1991 Won the World Duathlon title - 1994 New Zealand Ironman female winner (9.54.1) - 1994 Retired as a professional athlete - 1995 Inducted in the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame - Winner of 9 Ironman titles ## Post triathlon career Baker now lives in [Christchurch](/source/Christchurch), New Zealand, with her husband and fellow triathlete [Scott Molina](/source/Scott_Molina).[6] Together she and Molina (nicknamed Skid) have two children. Baker has also served as a councillor on [Christchurch City Council](/source/Christchurch_City_Council) (resigned January 2004[7]), and has served on [Canterbury District Health Board](/source/Canterbury_District_Health_Board) and on the boards of [Jade Stadium Ltd](/source/Lancaster_Park) and Christchurch and Canterbury Marketing Ltd.[8] ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Restricted_US_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Restricted_US_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Restricted_US_1-2) Palenski, Ron; Romanos, Joseph (2000). *Champions: New Zealand sports greats of the 20th century*. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-86958-813-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-86958-813-4). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Romanos_2006_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Romanos_2006_2-1) Romanos, Joseph (2006). *New Zealand’s top 100 sports history-makers*. Wellington: Trio Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0958245584](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0958245584). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-training_3-0)** ["Interview by Dan Empfield"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140424084326/http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/interview/erinbaker.html). Slow Twitch. October 1999. Archived from [the original](http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/interview/erinbaker.html) on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-controversial_4-0)** ["SMACKDOWN!: Who Are the Top Three Female Triathletes of All Time?"](http://www.insidetriathlon.com/article/70004/smackdown-who-are–the-top-three-female-triathletes). Inside Triathlon. 27 February 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2008. [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["No. 53154"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/53154/supplement/30). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* (2nd supplement). 31 December 1992. p. 30. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Rose takes step on the comeback trail"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/sport/9592600/Rose-takes-step-on-the-comeback-trail). *[Nelson Mail](/source/Nelson_Mail)*. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Robertson, Max (26 February 2004). ["Resignation of councillor Erin Baker"](http://archived.ccc.govt.nz/council/proceedings/2004/february/strategyfinance16feb/resignation.pdf) (PDF). [Christchurch City Council](/source/Christchurch_City_Council). Retrieved 7 October 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Canterbury District Health Board report 2002"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060926160854/http://www.cdhb.govt.nz/communications/documents/pdf/2001-02_cdhb_full_ar.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.cdhb.govt.nz/communications/documents/pdf/2001-02_cdhb_full_ar.pdf) (PDF) on 26 September 2006. Retrieved 8 November 2008. - Heidenstrom, Peter (1992) *Athletes of the Century: 100 years of New Zealand track and field* (GP Publications, Wellington) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-86956-044-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-86956-044-2) ## External links - [New Zealand's Wonder Woman](https://web.archive.org/web/20061029225404/http://vnews.ironmanlive.com/holdingcell/2001/april-2001/new-zealands-wonder-woman) at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) (archived 29 October 2006) - [2004 Christchurch Election results](http://www.ccc.govt.nz/elections/2004/candidateinformationbooklet2004.pdf)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] - [Halberg Award](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927231704/http://www.powerupdates.com/clients/halberg/pages/a_article.asp?pid=0&cid=-630935410&aid=789227824) at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) (archived 27 September 2007) - [Erin Baker](https://triathlon.org/athletes/profile/15387/name) at [World Triathlon](/source/World_Triathlon) - [Erin Baker](https://www.iat.uni-leipzig.de/datenbanken/dbtriathlon/daten.php?spid=42256EA09925485095777B1C78906BC3) at IAT Triathlon Database - [Erin Baker](https://www.nzhalloffame.co.nz/Inductees/B/Erin-Baker) at the [New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame](/source/New_Zealand_Sports_Hall_of_Fame) - [Erin Baker](https://intersportstats.com/athletes/3000055080) at InterSportStats Awards Preceded by Susan Devoy New Zealand's Sportswoman of the Year 1989 Succeeded by Karen Holliday Preceded by Mark Todd Halberg Awards – Supreme Award 1989 Succeeded by Peter Blake v t e World Champions in women's ITU Duathlon Thea Sybesma (1990) Erin Baker (1991) Jenny Alcorn (1992) Carol Montgomery (1993) Irma Heeren (1994) Natascha Badmann (1995) Jackie Gallagher (1996) Irma Heeren (1997-1998) Jackie Gallagher (1999) Stephanie Forrester (2000) Erika Csomor (2001) Corine Raux (2002) Edwige Pitel (2003) Erika Csomor (2004) Michelle Dillon (2005) Catriona Morrison (2006) Vanessa Fernandes (2007-2008) Vendula Frintová (2009) Catriona Morrison (2010) Katie Hewison (2011) Felicity Sheedy-Ryan (2012) Ai Ueda (2013) Sandra Levenez (2014) Emma Pallant (2015-2016) Felicity Sheedy-Ryan (2017) Sandrina Illes (2018) (men) v t e World Champions in women's Ironman Triathlon Lyn Lemaire (1979) Robin Beck (1980) Linda Sweeney (1981) Kathleen McCartney (Feb 1982) Julie Leach (Oct 1982) Sylviane Puntous (1983–84) Joanne Ernst (1985) Paula Newby-Fraser (1986) Erin Baker (1987) Paula Newby-Fraser (1988–89) Erin Baker (1990) Paula Newby-Fraser (1991–94) Karen Smyers (1995) Paula Newby-Fraser (1996) Heather Fuhr (1997) Natascha Badmann (1998) Lori Bowden (1999) Natascha Badmann (2000–02) Lori Bowden (2003) Natascha Badmann (2004–05) Michellie Jones (2006) Chrissie Wellington (2007–09) Mirinda Carfrae (2010) Chrissie Wellington (2011) Leanda Cave (2012) Mirinda Carfrae (2013–14) Daniela Ryf (2015–18) Anne Haug (2019) Daniela Ryf (2021) Chelsea Sodaro (2022) Lucy Charles-Barclay (2023) (men) v t e World Triathlon – Women's Champions 1989: Erin Baker 1990: Karen Smyers 1991: Joanne Ritchie 1992: Michellie Jones 1993: Michellie Jones (2) 1994: Emma Carney 1995: Karen Smyers (2) 1996: Jackie Gallagher 1997: Emma Carney (2) 1998: Joanne King 1999: Loretta Harrop 2000: Nicole Hackett 2001: Siri Lindley 2002: Leanda Cave 2003: Emma Snowsill 2004: Sheila Taormina 2005: Emma Snowsill (2) 2006: Emma Snowsill (3) 2007: Vanessa Fernandes 2008: Helen Tucker 2009: Emma Moffatt 2010: Emma Moffatt (2) 2011: Helen Jenkins (2) 2012: Lisa Nordén 2013: Non Stanford 2014: Gwen Jorgensen 2015: Gwen Jorgensen (2) 2016: Flora Duffy 2017: Flora Duffy (2) 2018: Vicky Holland 2019: Katie Zaferes 2020: Georgia Taylor-Brown 2021: Flora Duffy (3) 2022: Flora Duffy (4) 2023: Beth Potter (men) v t e New Zealand national champions in women's 3000 m 1976–1977: Dianne Zorn 1978–1979: Heather Thomson 1980–1981: Barbara Moore 1982: Anne Audain 1983: Sara Harnett 1984: Christine Hughes 1985: Sue Bruce 1986: Anne Audain 1987: Anne Hare 1988: Christine Pfitzinger 1989: Anne Hare 1990: Christine Pfitzinger 1991: Erin Baker 1992: Debbie Sheddan 1993: Linden Franks 1994: Anne Hare 1995: Geraldine MacDonald 1996: Nyla Carroll 1997: Regina Jacobs (USA) 1998: Demelza Murrihy 1999: Natalie Harvey (AUS) 2000: Karen Murphy 2001: Nina Rillstone 2002: Sarah Christie 2003: Nyla Carroll 2004: Emily Morris (AUS) 2005: Jess Ruthe 2006–2008: not held 2009–2010: Fiona Crombie 2011: Nikki Hamblin 2012–2013: Camille Buscomb 2014: Eloise Wellings (AUS) 2015–2016: Rosa Flanagan 2017: Laura Nagel 2018: Olivia Burne 2019: Camille Buscomb 2020: Penny Peskett 2021: Kara MacDermid 2022–2023: Laura Nagel 2024: Tillie Hollye 2025: Laura Nagel v t e New Zealand national champions in women's 10,000 m 1984: Glenys Kroon 1985: Mary O'Connor 1986: Christine Morriss 1987: Debbie Elsmore 1988: Barbara Moore 1989: Marguerite Buist 1990: Anne Audain 1991: Christine Hutchison 1992: Erin Baker 1993: Helen Moros 1994: Raewyn Rodger 1995: Nyla Carroll 1996–1997: Leeanne Durry 1998: Mary O'Connor 1999: Lee-Ann McPhillips 2000: Shireen Crumpton 2001: Melissa Moon 2002: Sarah Christie 2003: Nyla Carroll 2004: Shireen Crumpton 2005: Kate Smyth (AUS) 2006: Jessica Ruthe 2007: not held 2008: Jessica Ruthe 2009: Shireen Crumpton 2010: Rachel Kingsford 2011: Danielle Trevis 2012: Sally Gibbs 2013: Kellie Palmer 2014: Sarah Klein (AUS) 2015–2016: Lydia O'Donnell 2017–2018: Sally Gibbs 2019: Lydia O'Donnell 2020: Lisa Cross 2021: not held 2022: Hannah Miller 2023: Katherine Camp 2024: Anneke Arlidge 2025: Lisa Cross Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF FAST WorldCat National United States --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Erin Baker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Baker) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Baker?action=history)). 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