In an effort to showcase the North Americans competing at this week’s International Biathlon Union (IBU) 2018 Youth and Junior World Championships in Otepää, Estonia, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 20-year-old Teo Sanchez, who is representing Canada at his first Junior World Championships after competing in World Youth Championships in 2016.
In Thursday’s 15 k individual, Sanchez finished 58th (+7:25.2 with four misses). He also raced to 17th with the Canadian junior men’s 4 x 7.5 k relay on Tuesday.
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“My full name is Teo Sanchez but you can call me Ted.
I was born in Colorado and raised in Canada, and I learned to ski at age 3 or 4.
I spent the time between World Youth/Junior trials and Worlds, meticulously training to make sure my I peak perfectly for these races.
The best workouts I did in the last training year to prepare for this were all the high intensity hill intervals with Biatlon Alberta Training Center.
One thing I’m working on this season to improve my biathlon is my ski technique! My technique is probably my biggest setback.
This is my first time in Estonia and fourth time racing internationally, and so far it’s been fantastic! Estonia is probably my favorite international venue so far.
One difference I’ve noticed between Estonia and the Canada is the food. I’ve never had rice pudding and jam for breakfast before.
One of the things I’m most excited about for World Youth/Junior Championships in Otepää is the atmosphere that comes with high levels of competition. That atmosphere feeds me.
One race I’m especially targeting there is the relay, I think I’ll be able to put my team in a really good spot.
Watching the Olympics in the leadup to my own races was inspiring. One of my favorite moments of the Games was both the relays in biathlon. It was incredible how fast the changed. I want to be like any of the athletes who are at the Olympics and clean, because cheating is shameful.
My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is the bacon.
Before this trip, if you said “Estonia”, the first thing I’d think of would have been a desolate, stereotypical Eastern European country.
Now that I’m here, I’m pretty sure something I’ll always remember will be sleeping 12 hours the first day and missing training.
If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it sightseeing in the nearby areas. Which is what we’re doing tomorrow.
The best way to follow me on social media is on Facebook. You can find me as Teo Sanchez. I’m not very active on social media.”
