Alaska Tri-Aspire Team ready to compete with the world's best

MANILA, Philippines – Alaska Milk Corporation has formed a team made up of top-notch athletes in cycling, running and swimming with the passion and determination to become world-class champions and make the country proud. ­­No less than Alaska CEO Wilfred Uytengsu, a triathlete himself, made the formal introduction of the Alaska Tri-Aspire Team last May 16 at the Seda Hotel, Bonifacio Global City. 

“The long-term plan is to have these athletes represent the country in international competitions abroad and not just compete but to win,” Uytengsu said.

The Alaska Tri-Aspire team is composed of two of the world’s best professional triathlon athletes and five Filipino elite development athletes. The Alaska Tri-Aspire team aims to produce legitimate professional athletes who can compete in the 5i50, 70.3 IronMan, XTERRA events and athletes who can represent the Philippines in the Asian Beach Games, Asian Games and Olympic games.

Members of the team are professional athletes Pete Jacobs from Australia who is the 2012 Ironman World Champion and Caroline Steffen from Switzerland who is an ITU World Long Distance Champion and multiple Ironman champion. The Filipino Elite composed of Banjo Norte, Jenny Rose Guerrero, Noemi Galeos, Christine Hipol, Jonard Saim and Juan Carlos Abad will be under Coach Mathieu O’Halloran’s guidance in training to become a world-class team that can represent the country in triathlon races worldwide. The elite team is mainly composed of Filipino athletes because Alaska wanted to focus on developing and nurturing grassroots talents.

Some of the athletes secluded themselves in coach O’ Halloran’s home where they undergo Spartan-like training to get to the next level.

“Ang hirap pero maganda dahil may nagpu-push sa akin especially sa bike and run where I really need to develop,” said Abad, the youngest member of the team.

The 15-year-old swimmer from La Union is being groomed to become a top junior triathlete in Asia and the first Southeast Asian to compete at the Olympic Games.

He also advised the children of his generation to engage in sports activities rather than just confine themselves with their gadgets and game consoles.

“Pwede pa rin naman [maglaro online] as long as may balance kasi maganda rin ang sumali sa sports dahil sa exercise at maiimpluwensiyahan ka to live a healthy lifestyle,” Abad said.

The swimmer’s advice has a valid point since the 7th National Nutrition Survey, done by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute and the Department of Health, showed that obesity is increasing with nearly two out 10 children considered as overweight while under-nutrition is affecting nearly three out 10 children. 

Engaging in sports and promoting an active, healthy lifestyle is one of Alaska’s ways to help curb the problem of obesity and under-nutrition.

Meanwhile, Norte is using the rigorous training to stay on top and hopefully, get to the next level.

“Puspusan ang training lalo na’t may kailangan akong i-defend sa Cebu,” said Norte, the Filipino elite champion in the Cobra Ironman Cebu 70.3.

For her part, Galeos said she has learned a lot from coach O’ Halloran.

“Andami kong natutunan. Una, [I learned] how to manage my time, focus on the training, discipline and proper nutrition after the training. Nalaman ko rin ang weaknesses ko that I needed to develop,” said the 24-year old champion from Gen. Santos City.

O’ Halloran pointed out that repetition and consistency, which entail dedication and hard work, are the keys to become a world champion. 

“This is an opportunity for these athletes to compete with the world’s best and see where their level is. It’s an opportunity that not every athlete can have,” said the 27-year old O’ Halloran, who has been a triathlete for half of his life.

The Alaska Tri-Aspire team is not only training its sights on winning internationally but also hopes to serve as inspiration to the youth to engage in sports activities, stay fit and healthy and aspire to become champions.