Two Hunts sporting heroines are set to battle for glory on the international stage on Friday.

Sawtry star Lauren Steadman is bidding to complete a hat-trick of European paratriathlon titles in Switzerland.

Among her opponents in the PT4 category in Geneva will be Papworth Everard athlete Clare Cunningham who is attempting to reclaim a crown she last lifted back in 2009.

Both ladies will need to negotiate a 750m swim, a 20.4km bike ride and a 5km run to challenge for honours.

Steadman 22, who is studying for a Masters degree in business and management at Portsmouth University, said: “I’ve won the title two years in a row and I will be giving it my best shot to defend it again.

“The European Championship is one of the major events on the calendar and it is a case of trying to put together all the smaller things I’ve been working on in a race situation.

“Training has gone really well and I’m feeling pretty fit and nifty!”

Meanwhile Cunningham, 38, hopes changes to her training regime will pay dividends on the European stage as she looks to add to a medal collection which includes two silvers and a bronze in addition to her gold six years ago.

She said: “The European Championships is the first of my main races this season and the first time I will be racing both the athletes who beat me last year at the World Championships when I finished third.

“I have made some changes to my training in the past month - the main one being relocating to Loughborough during the week so that I can train full-time with the British Paratriathlon squad and coaches.

“I have succeeded in banking a very solid block of training and so I am feeling very strong and positive as I head to Switzerland.

“I’m looking forward to testing myself against the best in the world to see what progress I have made.”