Triathloner Martin Sobey has had a hell of year.
Thanks to his results this season, he’s moved up more than 150 spots on the world triathlon rankings and now sits 180th. The 21-year-old is ranked eighth in Canada overall and second in the under-23 category.
Sobey’s 2018 campaign includes being top Canadian at two international events by finishing 13th overall both times, earning a second at the recent American Triathlon Confederation Sprint Triathlon American Cup in Magog, Que., and winning the elite division of the Grand Prix final A in Gatineau, Que.
Those numbers and others qualified the Charlottetown native for the International Triathlon Union (ITU) triathlon world grand final Sept. 12-16 in Queensland, Australia., where over 5,000 of the world’s best elite and age group triathletes are expected to compete, and placed him in the Canadian nationals this weekend in Kelowna, B.C.
Sobey races in the under-23 division at the nationals and his best finish there is fifth in 2016.
The Guardian caught up with Sobey, now centred in British Columbia, via email for a Q&A about his year and the upcoming races.
The Guardian: Your game seems to have ramped up this year. What are some of the reasons?
Sobey - I am quite happy with how things are going so far this season. I think a lot of this year's success came from a disappointing 2017 season. I went through a pretty hard injury last year that sidelined me from the majority of major races I was targeting. That being said, the disappointment of last year helped fuel me to come back stronger this year having worked on my weaknesses and gaining a fresh perspective. I had a really good build up through the winter with a lot of consistent training which helped provide a good foundation for a challenging race season.
The Guardian - How do you feel physically and mentally heading into the upcoming nationals? What’s your goal this year?
Sobey - I am very excited for the upcoming national championships in Kelowna. This is one of the few opportunities in the year where I line up against all my fellow Canadian competitors head-to-head to see where we all stack up in the country. I will be aiming for a podium finish.”
The Guardian - Where do you train and what does your training schedule look like?
Sobey - I moved to Victoria, B.C., in 2016 to train at the National Performance Centre. I go to school at the University of Victoria (UVIC) and base myself out of Victoria for nine months of the year. Training varies throughout the year but an average training week would be between 20-25 hours total looking at six swims, four rides, five runs and three gym sessions.
The Guardian - What went through your head when you heard you made Team Canada for the worlds in Australia? What do you think it will be like to represent the country and what challenges face you in Queensland?
Sobey - I am very happy to have earned the opportunity to race for Canada at the upcoming under-23 world championships. This was one of my main goals starting the season, and I am thrilled to have been selected and want to make good on the opportunity. I predict there will be a special feeling racing at a worlds. Likely added pressure similar to that of a major games like the Olympics where you want to showcase Canada to the rest world. This will be my first time in Australia with lots of challenges to face. I will be going up against the best under-23 men in the world so I am excited to see where I stand.”
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A quick Martin Sobey bio.
Name: Martin Sobey.
Sport: Triathlon (Elite division triathlete competing in sprint and Olympic-distance races).
Age: 21 (born Sept. 15, 1996).
Hometown: Charlottetown.
Current Home: Victoria, B.C.
Training Facility: Triathlon Canada National Performance Centre.
International Triathlon Union World Ranking: 180th.
Canadian Under-23 Ranking: 2nd.
Canadian Ranking Overall: 8th.
Best National Championships Finish: 5th, 2016.
