With the refurbished trestle of Shawnigan Lake and the added excitement of an Olympic year, thereB次元官网网址檚 no turning back for athletes of the Subaru Western Triathlon Series.

Athletes and organizers alike gathered at TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 (May 8) kickoff event for the 2012 series of half-Ironman, Olympic and sprint distances at Saunders Subaru in Colwood.

It all starts at Shawnigan Lake on May 27, where athletes will cross the wooden trestle for the first time since the race was launched six years ago.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e always had to turn around so itB次元官网网址檒l be nice to finally cross it,B次元官网网址� said Janet Nielsen, who finished second among women at the Shawnigan half-Ironman last year.

Nielsen is returning from a long offseason of rehabilitation and likely wonB次元官网网址檛 hit full stride until later in this yearB次元官网网址檚 series, which continues June 17 at Elk Lake, July 8 in Vancouver, Aug. 12 in Sooke and Sept. 8 in Banff.

B次元官网网址淚t might take a couple of practice races to get back to full, but I plan to hit all five races,B次元官网网址� Nielsen said.

Having premier race events in his own backyard of Victoria has been key for Brent McMahonB次元官网网址檚 development. McMahon is in San Diego this weekend and Spain later this month for the final two Olympic triathlon qualifiers. HeB次元官网网址檒l return to Victoria for June and will race at the Elk Lake event, though likely only in a training capacity.

Last year McMahon won the Olympic distance event at Sooke and used it as a sprin board to win his first World Cup event the following week in Hungary. He followed that with a ninth place finish on the World Triathlon Series, all part of the 32-year-oldB次元官网网址檚 best season yet.

B次元官网网址淭he beauty, itB次元官网网址檚 as if the (Shawnigan, Sooke and Elk Lake) races are just another training session in terms of convenience and travel. But itB次元官网网址檚 the real thing.B次元官网网址�

And itB次元官网网址檚 the real thing for the non-elites, the thousands of race entrants who train all year for the big day and who keep the series going.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no other sport where athletes of all levels toe the (starting) line together,B次元官网网址� said series organizer Lance Watson, who doubles as McMahonB次元官网网址檚 coach. B次元官网网址淥lympians and top Ironman athletes mingle with everyone in our events, at least until the race gets going. ItB次元官网网址檚 like skating around with hockey players before an NHL playoff game.B次元官网网址�

Watson and Paul Regensburg, of Lifesport Coaching, have estimated the triathlon seriesB次元官网网址� economic impact at $35 million since it started. The races draw athletes from around the world and the Sooke event is broadcast annually on TSN.