SBRStL-  Pete, really we appreciate you giving us your time again.  It’s not every day we get a chance to chat with the world champion.  Peter Reid, world champion.  How does that sound?

PR-  "Sounds great.  Three times I have been World Champion.  I still cannot believe that I have done it three times.  Wow!"

SBRStL- We watched your performance first-hand in Kona last October on a day when you prevailed against a stellar field and survived some transition-bag confusion.  But through it all, the overwhelming impression we got from you was one of great composure.  Is that simply an extension of your personality, something you work at, or what?

PR-  "I worked quite a bit with Lance Watson, Canada's National Team coach, on mental training to get ready for race day.  I was in a total zone when the gun went off."

SBRStL- We’re certain you would have loved to race with Tim to the finish last year, but unfortunately with his health issue there was no way he could go on.  He’ll get a rematch but this time you’ll be wearing the “1.”   You’re going to be a marked man in ’04.

PR-  "Tim will be very hard to beat this year.  He is very strong physically and mentally.  I will have to prepare even better than I did last year.  I will go into this year's race the same way I did for 2003: I will think of it as my first time going to Hawaii.  As if I have never won the race.  No stress."

SBRStL- One of the things we admire about you is the fact that you were so open and honest about some training mistakes you made in the past.  When we age-groupers screw up, the whole world doesn’t see it.  For someone on the world stage, it’s gotta be tough to bare your soul.  Have the last three years changed you much?

PR-  "The last three years were extremely tough; but it helped me learn that I am in the sport because I love the lifestyle, I love training and I love racing.  It is really just about battling your competitors on race day.  Racing the boys!  First one to the line gets bragging rights."

SBRStL- You rode Specialized bikes at IM and Xterra, capturing your fourth double with a 7th overall in Maui.  They’ve got to be doing cartwheels over your success.   Will you be riding much the same set-up this year?

PR-  "First of all, I have won 9 Ironmans on a Specialized bike.  The company is extremely supportive of me and they listen when I have suggestions about product.  My race set-up will be very similar to 2003 except for Hawaii.  Mike Signard, the founder of Specialized, has told the design department to build me something really special for Ironman.  How cool is that?  I love Specialized: the company and the products they create."

SBRStL- We know how much you love training, but have you managed to make time for some skiing?

PR-  "I took an intensive one week cross country ski camp at the end of November.  I use to ski 8 years ago and wanted to learn proper technique.  I am so hooked on XC skiing.  My plan is to train 3 weeks triathlon then head to the mountains for 4-5 days during that 4th week.  I have been doing this since November.   I am off to the mountains tomorrow.  I love it.  I want to do a couple of 30 km loppets this winter."

SBRStL- What’s a typical “day in the life” like for you these days?

PR-  "I try and really hold back with my training this time of year.  The most important race of the year is in October so I must pace myself.  I do my normal weekly routine but at a much lower intensity and volume."

SBRStL- One curious phenomenon we wondered about is how the so-called “cold climate” Canadian triathletes do so well in the heat?

PR-  "I still don't get it; but, yes we do."

SBRStL- Speaking of warm weather, you'll be headed to Tucson in March for a Spring Training Camp.  Can you tell us about that arrangement?

PR-  "I use to be part of Paula's multisport training camps and I loved doing them; so, I decided to get into the camp business this year.  I hooked up with an old triathlon team mate and we started  www.endurancespecialists.com   Our first camp is this March.  Tucson is a great place to train in March."

SBRStL- Pete, thanks again and the very best of luck in ’04.

PR-  "Best to you Matt!"