Posted: September 19, 2005

Triathlon: An Interview with Emma Snowsill, ITU World Champion

Emma Snowsill won the 2005 ITU Triathlon World Championships in Gamagori, Japan on Sept 11th. This win makes her the elite women's ITU WORLD CHAMPION for the second time.

She is also the current Australian ' National Olympic Distance Triathlon Champion' and the ' Oceania Triathlon Champion'.

For some background on Emma, refer to the Runner's Web April Interview.

Full Name: Emma Snowsill.
Sport: Triathlon
Born: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Current Hometown: Gold Coast Australia & Bend Oregon United States.
Age:24
Coach: Craig Walton.
Club: Surfers Paradise Triathlon Club.
Occupation: Professional Triathlete.
Education:  ' Bachelor of Health Science Degree'. (now deferred)
Sponsor(s): ORCA racesuits, ASICS footwear, FELT bicycles, 
ZIPP Race wheels, VITTORIA tires, SIDI cycle shoes, 
PROFILE design, MEGABURN natural nutrition, OAKLEY eyewear.    
Personal Web Site: www.emma-snowsill.com
Favourite Web Site(s): www.RunnersWeb.com and www.Triathlon.org

Congratulations on your victory in Gamagori, Japan on the weekend which gives you three Triathlon ITU World Champion titles ; two women's elite titles, plus one junior age group World title .

1. (Runner's Web (RW): What went through your mind as you were approaching the finish line tape with victory guaranteed?

Emma Snowsill (ES): That I should slow down and enjoy the moment before I take the finish line tape. In the 2003 World Championship I raced all the way over the winners line without acknowledging the crowd of supporters at the event. Taking a bit of time to savior the victory and slapping a few outstretched hands is very rewarding and exciting.

2. RW: Tell us about the race, discussing each of the three elements Swim, Bike Run, :

ES: A) Swim: I had one of my best swims in a competition triathlon because I had a clear passage all the way to the first turn buoy. I swam with some of the best swimmers in world of triathlon so I was stoked and came out of the water in second position.

B) Cycle: I was in a break-away group with four other girls and we really worked well together which was really good on such a tight technical course. We had managed to get two minutes up on the chasing field by the end on the 40km cycle leg.

C) Run: When I first got off the bike I felt terrible....heavy, drained and lethargic...it was extremely hot and humid, however as each lap went by I started feeling better and I just kept telling myself that everyone else would be feeling the same.

3. RW: How did your preparation for the Worlds go?...What was your state of mind going to Gamagori? Were you confident of another victory?

ES: My preparation went well, partly because I decided to shorten my European and North American competition program so I could return to Australia early and get into the same international time zone as Japan. I was relaxed, happy and excited going up to Gamagori and was able to avoid jet-lag. I go out to have fun and never go into a race confident of winning. I look at each and every race event in the same way, whether I have had a recent win elsewhere or not.

4. RW: Who did you fear most going into the race and why?

ES: Everyone on the start list....I never dismiss anyone going into a World Championship.

Emma wins in Gamagori, Japan - Photo: spomedis/ITU Media

5. RW: When we talked to you in April of this year, you said that your goals for the year were to defend your existing USA triathlon titles, qualify for the 2006 Commonwealth Games and win another ITU World Championships. You've achieved the ITU World Championship. How are doing in regards to the others?

ES: I have already qualified for the Commonwealth Games by winning the World Championship which is amazing and unexpected but a relief to have out of the way. My competition goals did include defending my USA triathlon titles but I couldn't risk over extending myself and getting injured or ill so I decided to go back to Australia to adjust and prepare for Japan. This meant missing the Accenture Chicago Triathlon which was an agonizing decision to have to make, and also unfortunately, the ITU World Championship was held on the same day as the Los Angeles Triathlon so I could not defend my title there either.

6. RW: When and where is your Commonwealth Games qualifying race?

ES: Our first qualifying race was the ITU Triathlon World Championship, so fortunately I am already first in the Australian team. Our second qualifying race will be held in Melbourne Australia on 15th October. This race will be held on the actual 2006 Games event circuit at St Kilda and I am undecided whether I will compete or not.

7. RW: Who will be your biggest competition for making the Australian team?

ES: N / A. .I have already made the team..

8. RW: Have you made any changes to your training regime since we interviewed you last April?

ES: There are no huge changes to my basic training routine, just an increase in intensity close to events, plus I now include Pilates in my regular program.

9. RW: Have you had any more thoughts about Ironman Hawaii?

ES: Ironman racing is still definitely a goal of mine, but not this year. If I had not qualified for 2006 Commonwealth Games I may have started thinking about Hawaii next year, but for now I think it will have to be a bit later in my race career....but who knows?

10. RW: Do you think it is possible to do an Ironman and still be competitive at the Olympic distance?

ES: I have never concentrated solely on training for Ironman distance. I don't imagine it would be possible to be winning at both distances from the same training program, I might be wrong, however I think a triathlete could be competitive at both distances with a combination of two training regimes.

11. RW: Which event do you feel is more competitive, the Ironman or ITU Olympic World Cups and why?

ES: It is hard for me to say because I have never raced a full Ironman event. I think they are both competitive in their own way as they are very different events when compared to each other. Competition is lifting radically in both these type of races as the depth of female triathlete talent is increasing.

12. RW: Has your continued international success led to an increase in sponsorship offers? Can a triathlete make a good living on the ITU circuit?

ES: I have some wonderful supportive Sponsors from within the sport, however sponsorship outside of Triathlon related companies is very difficult to find and not one I have been able to secure yet.....I certainly don't make a World Champion Tennis players living but I don't need to get a full time job yet...not that I would have the time.

13. RW: What's your training and competition plan for the rest of 2005?

ES: (a) I am considering entering the Commonwealth Games trial & selection race at St Kilda on 15 October, even though I am in the team already. (b) The NOOSA International Triathlon on the Sunshine Coast Queensland on 6th November is my most favorite race and I want to defend my title there. (c) The last ITU World Cup for the season series will be held in New Plymouth New Zealand on 13th November, which I will contest, then I'll break for Christmas.

RW: Thanks for doing this, Emma.