By Derek Cornet

‘I’m hoping, dreaming and training’: Major TV network filming La Ronge athlete’s journey

Jul 23, 2018 | 12:00 PM

The dream of an athlete from La Ronge could come true in front a camera crew filming a television show for a major American network.

James Irvine was selected as one of 11 athletes from around the world to be featured in the second season of ‘IRONMAN: Quest for Kona’ to air on NBC Sports Network this fall. The series will follow the participants as they train for and compete in various events in hopes of qualifying for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Irvine said producers don’t expect all the athletes to earn a spot at the prestigious competition.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to make it to Kona, but I also have to be realistic that it might not be this time,” he said. “I’m hoping, dreaming and training for it, but we’ll see what happens.”

Irvine is headed to the Subaru IRONMAN Canada event July 29 in Whistler, B.C. where he will be filmed over the span of several days. He noted shooting begins Thursday in terms of preparation and training for the race, while there will be additional interviews and footage captured Sunday. In August, Irvine noted the camera crew will come to La Ronge to film the region and his training regiment.

There are several reasons Irvine believes he was chosen to be on the show such as the challenge it is to train for a world-class event in a remote location. As the oldest participant at 65 years old, Irvine thinks his age also could have played a part in his inclusion. He added, the natural beauty of Lac La Ronge likely helped him be selected as well.

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“I’m watching the temperature this coming week and Whistler is going to 33 Celsius, so I’m a little bit concerned about that,” Irvine said. “It will be just one more challenge to try and overcome.”

The event in Whistler will include a 3.8 kilometer swim, a 180 km bike ride and a 42 km run. Irvine is competing in the age 65 to 69 category and he expects about 15 competitors from several countries will be there. Irvine needs to come in first place to advance to the IRONMAN World Championship. If the winner already earned a spot at a previous race or can’t attend due to injury, the athlete in second place will advance instead.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno