Tyler Mislawchuk is eyeing a top 10 world ranking

A few weeks ago, Tyler Mislawchuk reached the podium for the first time in a World Cup race. The podium got a lot of attention, but Mislawchuk’s result didn’t come from nowhere. This season Mislawchuk has been quietly putting together a great season with multiple top tens at World Cup and WTS events.

A week ahead of the WTS and World Mixed Relay Team Championships in Hamburg, Germany, we got to chat with Mislawchuk about his recent results and goals for this season.

TMC: Following a 12th place at the Commonwealth Games and fourth in the mixed relay, you have been putting together some impressive results. In Yokohama, you finished fourth and then finished on the podium in Antwerp. What are your thoughts on those performances?

TM: WTS Yokohama was a huge result. It was an emotional victory, despite just missing the podium.

Then as a team, we came seventh in a tight mixed relay race in Nottingham.

The result in Antwerp was great, as it was my first podium finish in the World Cup circuit. It was bittersweet though, in the final 200m it was just three of us out in front, and I lost the sprint. But it is really exciting to see the results starting to come after last year when the results didn’t show how good I was feeling.

After Belgium, I went to Italy for a Grand Prix race and finished second.

TMC: And then, just recently you qualified for the Super League Triathlon (SLT) Championship race series in Poznan, Poland. What was SLT racing like?

Yes, there I again finished second in a sprint. I guess I’ve got to work on my sprint.

The racing was great in Poland, and the SLT races offer something different to the usual ITU racing. It is a very fast racing format, but also tactical. Also, the racing style pushes you to your max.

TMC: Seems like you’re deep into a busy race season. What is next on your schedule?

TM: Right now, I am getting all ready to go for the WTS event in Hamburg this weekend. Hamburg is a busy weekend of racing, with our individual race, and the World Mixed Relay Team Championships.

Then I will head back home to Winnipeg, Manitoba. In Canada, I race WTS Edmonton, Nationals and WTS Montreal. The time at home will be great, before getting ready for the last big races of the season.

And then it is off to the finale on the Gold Coast (2018 ITU World Triathlon Championships).

TMC: Last question, what are your big goals for the season?

TM:

1. My priority is helping Canada stay in the top seven. That is the magic number to qualify a mixed relay team to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
2. Like all Canadian triathletes, I want to win Nationals. This year I will look to defend my title in Kelowna, BC.
3. My goal for the end of the season is to be ranked inside the top 10 in the world.

By taking care of the races (i.e. doing well, making podiums, winning), it will take care of the ranking.

I know I am close and I want to make a statement going into the 2020 Olympics. Breaking the top 10 ahead of Tokyo will give me the boost I need.