Ironman 70.3 World Championship Pre-Race: Rachel McBride Q & A

Rachel McBride Pre-Race Q & A

Rachel McBride will be one Canadian athlete to watch in this weekend’s Ironman 70.3 World Championship. The Vancouver resident have had a strong build towards the 70.3 Worlds this year, with a string of good results in third places in Vineman and Eaglman, and victory at Calgary 70.3. A solid result at the 70.3 World Championships would confirm her status in amongst the top tier of 70.3 athletes.

TMC: How do you feel going into the race weekend?

RM: I am super excited for this weekend. It’s really exciting to have the World Championships in Canada, even though it’s all the way across the country it feels like home. I am feeling really good, really confident. This is an amazing course that suits me.

TMC: You’ve had a terrific year, in some ways a bit of a break through year, does take give you a big boost in confidence going into this weekend?

RM: Absolutely! In my results this year, I’ve been in a lot of really solid competitions, some deep fields, and been able to perform really and be in mix. That does give me a lot of confidence going into such a stellar field this year in the world champs.

TMC: In the last couple of years, there has been a lot of talk of the bike becoming more tactical in 70.3 and Ironman races, do you find that to be the case and how it is evolving?

RM: Usually when I am out on course, I really try to race my own race. Obviously I am trying to get ahead as far as I can on the bike because that’s my forte. I had a great experience in Oceanside where a group of women were really working well together, all very legal, and great sportsmanship, so it can be helpful to have those women around.

TMC: What’s your goal this weekend? Any predictions?

RM: Always go in to win, right? (Laughs). I think that a solid result on the podium would be fantastic this year. We’ll see. I still have a lot of speed to develop, so if not this year, than in the next couple of years.