And Now for Something Completely Different

No, not Monty Python.

I just have to give a big shout out to former Winnipeger, MNTC alumna and our #2 son Mark's former teammate, Sarah-Anne Brault. We can now say that we know someone who has stood on a World Cup podium! This past weekend Sarah finished third at the race in Ishigaki, Japan. I would have to say I was surprised to hear the news. Not because Sarah doesn't work hard or doesn't deserve it. She does both. In spades. But she's only 22 years old and hasn't been racing the distance that long, let alone at World Cup level. I hope this is indicative of further success to come.

I took this picture of Sarah-Anne at Kelowna in 2011 when she won the National Championship

I think our family has known Sarah-Anne for as long as she's been in triathlon and I can say without a doubt that you will not meet a finer young woman anywhere. Smart, friendly, modest, organized and driven. She was and continues to be a role model for all Manitoba triathletes. The last time Kate and I spoke to her was last August in Kelowna, just after she had just won her first National Championship. She had all the time in the world for us and seemed as interested in Kate's race earlier that day and in my upcoming Ironman as she was in the fact she had just defeated the #1 ranked woman in the world a few minutes earlier. Just a super person all around.

Oh yes. The race was actually won by Canada's Kathy Tremblay, her first WC win and much deserved after many years on the National Team. Elles sont vite ces Qébecoises là! I can't claim any personal connection to Kathy but I know Mark has met her at a couple of camps and swam with her at least once.

Here is a link to a race video re-cap: http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/canadas_kathy_tremblay_scores_debut_world_cup_victory_in_ishigaki/

All the best to Sarah-Anne.
And thanks for reading.
Tom