World Triathlon

“I think triathlon has added so much to my life.  It makes me a more well-rounded person, healthier both mentally and physically and it gives me the skills to multi-task and to keep positive when things are tough.”

Canada’s Teresa Tomchak has her sights set on the 2023 World Multisport Long-Distance Triathlon Championships in Ibiza on Sunday, 7th May. Tomchak has represented Canada at 18 World Championship races since 2013 and has competed in super-sprint, sprint, long-distance and mixed team relay events. Tomchak raced in the recent 2022 World Triathlon Age-Group Championships Abu Dhabi and in last year’s World Triathlon Long-Distance Championships Samorin, in the 45-49 Female Age-Group category.

“My first time competing for Team CAN was in 2013 in London where I did both the sprint and standard distances.  Since that time, I have competed every year except for COVID years when the events were not held and in 2017 when I was struck by a truck 3 days before leaving for the world championships in Rotterdam and unfortunately, I injured my hand and shoulder and was unable to compete.  I have done all of the distances - super-sprint, sprint, standard, long and mixed team relay.”

“I started running when I was 16.  At the age of 35 (2008), I contracted pneumonia, was bedridden for a month and found recovery difficult and my neighbour, who was a coach of runners and triathletes had for many years suggested I try triathlons and he thought it would help with the recovery as I could swim and bike instead of just running.  I did my first triathlon that summer and became hooked.”

FIRST EXPERIENCE REPRESENTING TEAM CANADA
“It was amazing.  I remember riding down the street towards Buckingham palace when one of the spectators yelled (“Go Canada”), which was the first time I would have that overwhelming experience of pride.  A few months after the competition, I received an email from a spectator, who had been in London during the event (not knowing the event was being held) and he took a photo of me, did some research and was able to locate me and sent me an email with the photo and described how proud he was seeing a Canadian racing by.  The camaraderie of the event was also amazing among all the countries. As I was taking my bike into transition for the first event, I got a flat tire and it being my first event I was particularly freaking out and an athlete from Great Britain and Australia calmly came to my rescue and helped me change it.”

FRIENDSHIPS FORMED WITHIN THE TRIATHLON COMMUNITY
“One of the things that I like the most are the friends that I see regularly at World Championships. There are many repeat athletes combined with new ones each year. Although we all compete individually (except for the mixed team relay) it feels like a team sport. I previously played several team sports - soccer (as a keeper for 25 years which is how I met my husband) and basketball and volleyball.”

EXCITEMENT FOR IBIZA
“I am very excited to be competing, despite the challenges in the recent months leading up to the competition. I am a lawyer and after 24 years at the firm that I worked at since graduating, I decided to move to a national law firm to purse the opportunities it could offer. Although it is very exciting, it has also been very stressful but having training is a great outlet and is important to be prepared for the event.  I am looking forward to reconnecting with my teammates and travelling to a place I have not been. I find that going to world championships is always a humbling experience.  Although I have won some local races and finished on the podium at nationals, my goal at worlds is usually trying to place in the top half.”

WORLD TRIATHLON HERO
“I have fond memories of SImon Whitfield winning the gold in Sydney the first time triathlon appeared in the Olympics. Although he had a gutsy silver medal in 2008, I would love to see any Canadian capture the gold again.”

World Triathlon wishes all athletes, competing in the 2023 World Triathlon Multisport Championships (29 April – 7 May), all the best! For the elite races, TriathlonLive.tv will have full coverage of the duathlon (including mixed relay), aquathlon and long distance triathlon events, and extended highlights of the cross duathlon and cross triathlon and with over 3,000 athletes from 61 countries competing for world titles, all age group races will have a finish line camera watchable on the platform.