Victory confirms Mislawchuk a force to be reckoned with at Olympics

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This article was published 15/06/2021 (1571 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tyler Mislawchuk was fresh from his first World Cup triathlon victory in almost two years.

So what did he do? He went right back to training.

“It was my choice, probably, but as my coach reminded me we’ve got a big, important race in six weeks,” said Mislawchuk by telephone from Bentonville, Ark., Tuesday. “Right after the race I went out and did a two-hour ride that same day.

“And then packed up most of my stuff and then yesterday morning I rode another two hours, packed my bike and went to the airport and travelled all day yesterday and then got in late last night. I finished a 4K swim and 45K ride this morning.”

Sunday’s win, bathed in the steamy conditions of Huatulco, Mexico, reinforced the 26-year-old’s claim that, despite his pandemic-imposed absence from the circuit, he will be a force to be reckoned with when the men’s triathlon is staged at the Tokyo Summer Olympics, July 26.

Mislawchuk, fifth-ranked in the world, was 12 seconds clear of the field in Huatulco when he claimed the third World Cup win of his career in a time of 53:09 over the sprint distance.

The Oak Bluff product was second overall when he transitioned from the bike leg of the race and quickly took command during the five-kilometre run. Though he was running alone, he shoulder-checked frequently.

“I actually started conservatively — I thought other athletes would be running with me so in the race (video) you kind of see me looking back a lot,” said Mislawchuk. “It wasn’t because I was worried that they were chasing me. It was because my original plan was to run with other athletes until there was a kilometre left. So, I was kept looking back going, ‘Do I just keep running at this pace, because it was hard but wasn’t as hard as I could go, or do I wait?’ “

Midway through the run, he got a verbal cue from a Canadian teammate, Alexis Lepage, who was ill and not racing that day.

“He yelled, ‘You have four seconds (lead), just go for it,’ and so yeah, at 2.5 K I opened it up,” says Mislawchuk.

Mislawchuk praised another Canadian teammate, Matt Sharpe, for helping to pave the way to victory. The two were collaborating on the race course, a bit of a departure from the past.

Mislawchuk is a lock to be named to the Canadian team for Tokyo, which will be comprised of two men and two women, and Sharpe one of several athletes competing for the second men’s spot.

“He’s trying to earn an Olympic spot, right? And so he’s showing that he can try to help me in race like this which would resemble Tokyo,” said Mislawchuk. “So for me, you know, protecting me in the (bike) pack and making sure that I basically stay out of trouble in race and then he gets me off in one piece into the run…

“I’ve raced most of my career on my own so it’s actually nuanced to have someone who you’re working together (with) or you’re thinking about where they are in the group. It’s definitely something new and it’s something that we’ve been definitely testing the last two races to see if it can be helpful in Tokyo.”

In addition, the mixed triathlon relay will be making its Olympic debut in Tokyo and Mislawchuk will be participating. Scheduled for five days after the men’s triathlon, national teams comprised of two women and two men will compete.

Each competitor will swim for 300 metres, cycle for eight kilometres and run for two kilometres before handing off to a teammate.

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“My individual race will be the main focus, that’s where I chase the medal, and then the relay four or five days later, unless I’m unwell or really messed up from the race fatigue-wise, I’ll definitely do it,” said Mislawchuk. “I love it and I think four or five days is enough time (to recover)… It’s extremely fast, intense and is probably one of the best races to watch.”

Mislawchuk’s current training location in the Ozarks is easily explained. The sweltering conditions of the Deep South will best prepare him for what he will encounter at the Olympics.

Prior to the Games, he’ll have one last tune-up race at the Continental Cup in Long Beach, Calif., July 18, before travelling to Japan. Sunday’s win was also a strong signal to his rivals on the circuit.

“I mean, this is really good sign, obviously, I knew… that I put in a lot of training, a lot of hard work and I knew I was in the right spot but definitely a win race like (last) weekend, it definitely confirmed this to the public and maybe just confirms more what I’ve been saying to people,” he said.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @sawa14

Mike Sawatzky
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Mike has been working on the Free Press sports desk since 2003.

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