Kids always on Facebook? Can’t get at your computer for even a minute to register online? Come and see us Wednesday (Richards Landing), Thursday (Water Tower Inn), and Friday (Water Tower Inn) this week. For the registration schedule, click here.

Keep in mind that Online Registration closes at midnight on Thursday, August 6th, 2009.

The weather forecast looks great, and we’re expecting to see the number of competitors grow for the 5th consecutive year! Competitors are reminded that wetsuits will be permitted again this year.

We also want to remind everyone that we have moved the morning events from the wharf to W.I. Park beach. Competitors are still asked to park and report in at Tranter Memorial Rink for timing chips, body marking, and race day registration and kit pickup before making your way over to the park.

Name:Jesse Wetzl

Age: 18, Sault Ste. Marie

Years Participated in the St. Joseph Island Triathlon:

2004 to 2008 including the Kids of Steel Triathlon and the Sprint Triathlon

Tri Coach: Sherri Smith

Favourite Discipline: Bike

Most embarrassing triathlon / duathlon moment:

“This actually happened in my first race this year, I went in thinking it was going to be a good race, an easy win even since it was a smaller race.  I was thinking while setting up my bike, “hey, why not throw my road shoes (for my lack of tri shoes) on my pedals so I can just speed through the transition in no time at all.”  Big mistake.  Little did I know road shoes were made specifically so they are impossible to put on while riding, if they were already attached to the pedals.  Well lucky me, I got one shoe on and strapped in just in time to catch a gust of wind to take away my speed, and before I knew it I was on the ground in a pile with my brand new bike.

Being the most experience triathlete in the race did not help my pride either.  Anyways long story short I ended up jamming my brake, leading to an awful bike time, getting me third in the race though anyways.  Luckily we got a picture of me on the ground and it was on Facebook in a flash.”

Favourite piece of training / racing gear: “My bike.  Every triathlete (well me and most people I know anyways) introduced into the world of cycling can’t help but get sucked in to the appeal of every nice road bike they see.  It hurts me that my sisters and parents don’t care for my bike, it’s so pretty!  Plus I don’t see anyone doing too well without one . . .”

Motivation:

“When I was just a little gaffer in elementary school, I would always go out for as many sport teams as I could.  But I was awful, one of the worst hands down, with the exception of running.  In cross country, I was decent and same with track, usually finishing in the top 15 in cross country and top 3 in my track events.  This still didn’t change the fact that my teachers saw me as “that skinny kid who probably wouldn’t amount to much.”  I remember in gym class my teachers would always compliment the kids who did well, but I always did something wrong.  Most people, including me, would look at this and say “oh get over it.” But after that it gave me some sort of drive to show them that I could become something, and succeed when they thought I never could. 

Anyways, this drive just sort of stuck with me and now I find it hard to stop training.  I like seeing really hard working athletes, who are always out doing something.  Whenever I see these people it just makes me want to do the same, so that also helps me to keep with it as well.”

Achilles Heel: “Early mornings.  Ugh . . . especially when you really just want to go back to bed instead of jumping in a pool.  Of course you still end up at the pool anyways . . .”

Energy Drink of Choice: “Hammer HEED, lemon lime.   mmmmm.”

Comment: “Fun fact - the first triathlon I ever did was the Kids of Steel on St. Joe’s.  I was 12, and I won the boys 12 - 1 3 age group, but got second overall.  Yes, I was beat by a girl.  She was really, really fast though . . . “