WORLD champion water ski racer Kim Lumley was caught driving at almost 100 mph on her way to a training session, and on Thursday Ely magistrates banned her from driving for 21 days. Lumley – who won the world championship in Belgium last month – appeared

WORLD champion water ski racer Kim Lumley was caught driving at almost 100 mph on her way to a training session, and on Thursday Ely magistrates banned her from driving for 21 days.

Lumley - who won the world championship in Belgium last month - appeared in court to admit driving a Landrover at 98 mph on the A141 at Warboys, smashing the 60 mph speed limit.

The 27-year-old, of Twentypence Road, Wilburton, was also fined �160 by the court, and must pay �35 costs and a �15 surcharge.

Lumley was clocked as she sped along the A141 at Warboys on June 10, said prosecutor Laura Mardell.

"She was driving from a training session in Hunstanton, and was on her way to another training session," explained solicitor Mark Edmondson.

"She is an athlete, she is the world champion speed water skier, and at the time of the offence was in training for the championships.

"The adrenalin was pumping, she had to get to a training session, and put her foot down. It was a sunny day, and the road conditions were good."

Lumley works part time for England Netball, as a development officer for Cambridgeshire. Her ski training and that work will be disrupted by the driving ban, Mr Edmonds told the court.

"She is an athlete the country should be proud of," he said. "She broke a world record at the end of July."

Imposing the driving ban, presiding magistrate Sue Griffin told Lumley: "This was an excessive speed, as a local person you should know how dangerous the roads are.