Canadian triathlon star Tamara Jewett exorcises the ghosts of 2024 with strong day at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside

Canadian triathlon star Tamara Jewett got her 2025 season off on the right foot by finishing fourth at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside – a stark contrast to what happened at the same event 12 months earlier.

The 34-year-old produced a race-leading 1:17:00 run split following a solid swim and bike in the Californian sunshine. Compatriot Paula Findlay took the tape in a time of 4:16:50 – just over four minutes ahead of the fast-finishing Jewett.

But following a disappointing DNF at the race in 2024, one of two DNFs to start her season, Jewett insisted on taking the positives from the race and admitted she had defeated a few “ghosts” on her way to a top-five finish.

Jewett beats the ghosts

After a stellar 2023 season that produced two victories – including a win at Oceanside – and three other podium performances, 2024 was somewhat of a campaign to forget with just one top-five finish and a quartet of DNFs in 10 scheduled appearances.

With that it mind, there was some obvious trepidation for Tamara heading into last weekend’s California race, but the Canadian fought the so-called “ghosts” head on.

Writing in a post on her Instagram account, she said: “Fourth at 70.3 Oceanside today and solidly proud of myself. I raced my goal of enjoying little battles where I could, appreciating the course and environment and easing into the season with a steady start.

“I had to face the ghosts of last year’s emotionally rough and raw start (okay, devastating start – I hate that word but it kind of was! It was a devastating first two races in 2024 😝) to the season head on.

“Even being in a great place right now mentally, emotionally and physically – and particularly the week leading into this race – that was hard. And I won against all those darn ghosts.

“Parts of my swim, bike and run were great, parts were a little rough. I had an unusual headache throughout the start of the run despite nailing my nutrition (🤔 will need to try to figure that one out). And still, I solidly stayed calm, carried on, and came down like a mighty sledgehammer in the last three miles to run my way to fourth.”

“I was not asking myself for more than that today. Particular thanks to @kaidikivioja for another great battle and particular congrats to former-teammate @lisabecharas for her absolutely stellar bike performance.”