Kirsten Sweetland, aka 'Sweets', who was raised on Vancouver Island, primarily in Nanaimo and Victoria, is about to take on the world. Well, she has already taken on the world and has come out on top, with some bumps and scrapes along the way. Now however, she is about to embark on her 2008 triathlon season with an eye on the big prize of Beijing.

Kirsten is of the generation of triathletes mentored through the Kids of Steel (KOS) program. Rather than being a swimmer or cyclist or runner who turned to triathlon, she is a triathlon purist. She started with KOS at the age of 6; however, she enjoyed playing many sports as well as dance and spent plenty of time on the beaches of Parksville, BC therefore she had an active upbringing.

KOS is the National Youth Development Program of Triathlon Canada. It is aimed at kids under 7 and those 7 to 19, bringing them along in a safe and fun triathlon environment. Now she plays in the big leagues.

Before she heads to Tongyeong, Korea for an International Triathlon Union (ITU) event next week, Sweets took some time out of her busy training schedule to answer a few questions.

CK: So according to your blog, you are 'ready to race'. You are off shortly to start the season in earnest. Do you have your own focusing mechanism to keep your mind on racing in the here and now and yet continue through the season keeping your eyes on the ultimate prize of Beijing.

KS: That is something I am working on. Looking at the big picture instead of rushing and getting too wrapped up in the short term races. So right now I am continuing to build my fitness and trying to keep my eye on Beijing.

CK's note: In 2007 at 18 years of age, Sweetland was ready to serve Edmonton a first ever Canadian winner in the Women's World Cup Championships, but she was run down by Australia's Emma Moffat in the last few hundred meters and missed gold by 1.6 seconds.

CK: Did getting run down and beaten by 1.6 seconds in Edmonton by Moffat linger in your mind for long? Was that a finish that now drives you to train harder?

KS: That was a bit disappointing, but I learned a very good tactical/positioning lesson that day. There are many memories from last year that drive me to train harder and that was one of them!

CK: Can you tell me about a little about the many memories from last year where you learned a good lesson?

KS: The overall goal of last year was to learn as many lessons as possible. I learned something from each race, good and bad. In Lisbon I learned how to run in a pack and not let those little gaps open! In Richards Bay I learned how to win. ;) I liked that lesson! The most disappointing one was in Des Moines, where I passed out in the lead group of 3 with 400m to go in our Olympic selection race, where there was also $200,000 and a Hummer on the line for the winner! That was tough to swallow but it taught me to pick myself up again, not dwell on it and get up and race again a week later! That race of course in Edmonton is where I learned yet another good lesson in tactics! I could go on forever! But every race is valuable no matter what the result is as long as you take something away from it.

CK: When you say "train harder", how does that manifest itself in the pool, bike and run?

KS: It's pretty simple, just harder work, longer, harder sets, less warm up, more meaty sets. More hours, more intensity...you name it!

CK: At Caledon in 2004, coming back from a crash on the bike covered in blood was a pretty hardy thing to do, especially when your father gave you an out in the transition. Was there a sense of frustration that something out of your control happened and that you needed to regain some control of the outcome? 4th is a great day for most anyone!

KS: Yes, I went into that race on a mission and I wasn't going to finish it off in transition! I came from over 2 minutes back and tried desperately to make it to the podium and I was pretty disappointed with 4th. Looking back on that, I may have been a little hard on myself! ;)

CK: Is there one of the three disciplines you enjoy more than the others?

KS: I really like time trialing on the bike! Unfortunately I don't get to do that too often in races!

CK: It appears you spend quite a bit of time training with the guys. Boys will be boys of course. Any serious pranks going on that make you roll your eyes or are you one of the pranksters?

KS: Yes, I train with a group of 6 guys so my eyes are constantly rolled in the back of my head! But I generally get right in there. Sarcasm is the name of the game with these boys and we have a lot of fun. Although I know it's time for some female influence when I catch myself saying things like "yo!" and "wicked!"

CK: Maybe you need to feminize the group a little, have you made any attempts to get them to say gurly nuggets like, 'oh so cute' or 'you go, boy'! Maybe throw some Avril Lavigne on, REAL LOUD.

KS: haha no not really. My movie and TV choices always get shot down when we're on the road though!

CK's note: It would be quite unfortunate to witness Simon yell out, "ANYONE FOR SOME PRINCESS DIARIES?"

CK: Growing up on the island in the 90s and now in the, what do we call these times, the 0hs? You, I understand were fairly active in other sports.

KS: Yes, my whole life has pretty well revolved around sport and activity. I pretty much grew up on the monkey bars! I first went under water at a swimming pool at 2 weeks old, rode without training wheels before I turned 3 and have participated in many different sports.

CK: Is your sister Erika into endurance sports? How about your parents?

KS: My sister and I started triathlon together. I think she was only 4 years old! But as she got older she got interested in other sports and jobs. My dad is probably where I got my influence. He has done triathlon since the mid 80's! My mom didn't grow up with sport but she has now taken up running and biking.

CK: Was the Kids of Steel (KOS) program instrumental in your development as an athlete? Or would you have found your way to competitive triathlon regardless?

KS: It definitely was. I mean, I think I would have done triathlon regardless because I already had quite a start before entering the KOS program, but it certainly set me on a path and sent me on my way to where I am today. I may have ended up in recreational triathlon had I not been involved in KOS.

CK: Who is your athletic idol, if you have one?

KS: I really admire anyone who is able to dominate in their sport. Especially those who do so while remaining modest! It takes a special kind of person to dominate a sport and an even more unique type to do it all while not letting it get to their head!

CK: Apparently you play guitar. What level of guitar player are you? Whose songs are you currently learning?

KS: I used to play more in high school. A few of my friends and I would cover all our favorite songs. But I'm nothing special that's for sure! But I do like to tinker around on the guitar and piano. It's relaxing.

CK: Best of luck to you this season!

KS: Thank you!

I bet what's not so relaxing for Kirsten is the looming 2008 Tongteong BG Triathlon World Cup in Korea on April 26th. Take your guitar, Kirsten!

Follow her next race here in Tongyeong

Check her site and follow her to Beijing China! Kirsten's site

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Contact Chris: chriskelsall@flocasts.org