ABBIE Chaundy feels she is starting to find form after a wretched start to the year, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The 18-year-old Swindon Harriers triple jumper was forced to delay the start of her summer campaign after suffering a stress fracture during the winter which meant she was initially on crutches and then had her foot immobilised in a boot.

It meant she completely missed the indoor season and didn’t start her summer campaign until May 31, when she posted an impressive, wind-assisted 11.46m at the Bedford International Games and followed up with 11.14m in the UK Women’s League, in Bristol, on Sunday.

“I only really started training in March having first suffered the foot injury towards the end of November,” said Chaundy, whose home is in Fairford.

“I was first on crutches and then had to wear a protective boot and in total I was out of action for nine weeks. All I could do was go in the gym and do some leg strengthening exercises to build up my muscles.

“Luckily I had great support at college (Chaundy is studying at Oaklands College which specialises in sport) but it has been really frustrating and at times it has been really rocky.’’ Having recently celebrated her 18th birthday and enjoyed a terrific season last summer – she ended as number one in the South West and eighth in the UK U20 rankings - Chaundy knows she is faster and stronger than in 2014.

“I hope to be jumping better by the time of the England Championships in a couple of weeks’ time but as I started the season so late I expect to be jumping better and running quicker towards the end of the season,” said Chaundy, whose personal best is 11.82m.

“I am definitely running faster down the runway but in such a technical event I need to find the rhythm to jump a long way and that will come. I really feel things are starting to come together.”

IN THE British Milers’ Club PB Classic meeting in Milton Keynes, Swindon Harrier’s 14-year-old Ethan Pierce ran a PB of 4mins 39.44secs for second place in the men’s 1500m F race.