Pair reconsidering retirment
“The sprint race was very technical with a steep hill to climb and descend, and a sharp turn at the bottom,” Oleskiw said. “The standard race was on two lanes of a highway with only a slight incline.”
The Multisport World Championships took place in August in the British Columbia interior.
“Weather was perfect,” Oleskiw recalled. “Sunny and warm, but not too hot as races started shortly after 7 a.m.”
After attending duathlons and triathlons throughout the world, often together and all at their own expense, the sisters had decided before heading to Penticton the event would be their last.
“We had said that this was going to be our last, especially because it is very expensive,” Oleskiw said. “But we had such a good time that we are reconsidering.
“We really enjoy the camaraderie of the Canadian team and our fellow athletes from all over the world.”
A big part of Eller’s motivation is the training leading up to the national and international events.
“I just enjoy training,” she said. “I love feeling fit and healthy.
The “social aspect” is important, too.
“Training with a triathlon club is fun,” said Eller, who has worked out with the Tryforce and Edge clubs.
She said representing Canada at a world championship on her home turf was “great.
“Penticton was a lot of fun,” Eller said. “We were able to connect with some old friends and meet new ones from all around the world.”
Oleskiw intends to keep competing as long as she can.
“The fitness attained does so much to improve the overall quality of life.”
Eller has competed at 12 world championships, most of them triathlons, over the course of her multisport career. She has won three gold medals, six silvers and one bronze, as well as five golds in cycling and the triathlon at the World Senior Games.
Oleskiw had earned six gold medals and one silver competing at worlds.