By Derek Cornet

Italian wins Freeze, Breeze and Wheeze for second year in a row

Aug 27, 2018 | 12:00 PM

The winner of the Freeze, Breeze and Wheeze triathlon said he won’t forget about the positivity he found in La Ronge when he returns to Italy this month.

“Organizers and volunteers were always smiling and that’s the thing I appreciate the most when I come to La Ronge,” Stefano Zanotto, who also placed first at the event last year, said. 

Zanotto, who lived in Canada to study at the University of Saskatchewan for the past two years, competed the triathlon Aug. 26 in one hour and five minutes, beating runner-up Jason Calladine by only two minutes and 45 seconds. While Zanotto opted to complete the entire triathlon himself, his team consisting of friends Martin Jancus and Rita Cattelan also placed first at one hour, 11 minutes. The fastest individual female was Nichole Moen from Regina at one hour, 23 minutes.

Compared to 2017, Zanotto noted the weather was more challenging this year as it was rainy and colder. He added he was reluctant to swim in the lake because of it, but said the competitive nature of the event made it easier to do. Zanotto doesn’t plan to be back next year as he will be living in Europe.

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“I have done many competitive sport events in my life … but I can tell you I barely find the atmosphere like the one I found when I come to La Ronge,” he said. “I really hope this event will grow and many more people will be involved.”

According to La Ronge Parks and Recreation Manager Tonia Logan, the Freeze, Breeze and Wheeze event is not sanctioned by Saskatchewan Triathlon, but instead serves to provide an opportunity to showcase the region to visitors. Throughout the years, Logan noted the event brought people from across Canada and other countries.

“The triathlon community is small, but they travel,” she said. “People love coming to La Ronge to take part in our event because it’s so unique.”

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno