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Catching up with Stefan Daniel

June 8, 2015
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credit: @sdaniel97
credit: @sdaniel97

Canada’s Stefan Daniel won gold at the ITU World Paratriathlon event in London, England on May 30  in a time of  1:00:14. The sprint distance race was on the 2012 Paralympic course. TMC got the chance to hear what he’s been up to.

TMC: How did your weekend race go? What did you like the most about it?
Stefan Daniel: I was very happy with how the race went. I went out hard in the swim and came out in a decent position heading onto the bike. The bike went well and I tried to minimize the damage against the leaders who are strong riders. On the run I had the energy in my legs and felt really good. Racing on the Olympic course again was a great experience. The support I’ve gotten back home has been unbelievable and it really made the weekend special.

TMC: What are your goals for this season and beyond?

SD: For this year, I’d like to have good placings at the Canadian Junior Series races. My main goal for this season is to have a strong race at the Paratriathlon World Championships in Chicago. Beyond this year, a dream of mine is competing in Rio in 2016. I know it will be challenging to achieve, but I’m going to continue to work hard and see what happens.

TMC: How do you balance training and school what are you studying and where?

SD: I go to school at National Sport School at Canada Olympic Park. The teachers are all very supportive of me and help me get caught up after busy weeks or trips.

TMC: Of the three sports, which is your strongest discipline?

SD: My strongest and favourite discipline is the run. I’ve loved running since a young age and have always enjoyed competing in it. I focus on cross country running in the fall and it has been very beneficial for the triathlon season.

TMC: What is your earliest race memory?

SD: My earliest race memory is racing one of my first Kids of Steels at the Kelowna Apple Triathlon when I was 9. I remember having a good swim and coming out ahead of most of the competitors. The bike is where it went completely downhill. I had a mountain bike that was far too small for me, and I was getting passed almost every second by people with proper fitting road bikes. I remember it seeming like the harder I would pedal, the slower I would go. I remember being unbelievably motivated on the run, but the gap was way too big to catch the leaders. Looking back, it was a lot of fun and it sparked an interest in taking triathlon more seriously.