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Stephanie Oechsner

@stephoech615

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💪🏼Personal Trainer @lifetime.frontenac
🏊🏻‍♀️Coach @csptideridersswimming
✨Endurance Coach @oechsnerendurance
🏁Triathlete @wheelhouse_racing

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Three weeks. Multiple countries. Two World Championships experiences. Four starts. 🇫🇷🇪🇸

Nice 70.3 Ironman World Championships 🇫🇷
The most challenging race I’ve ever done — and also one of the most incredible. It didn’t all go according to plan, but I’m proud of the fight and the experience of racing on that course.

Then across Spain to Pontevedra ITUWorld Championships 🇪🇸

🥉 3rd AG — Draft Legal Sprint
🥇 1st AG + 🥈 2nd Overall — Standard Distance Aquabike
6️⃣ 6th — Combined Age Category Mixed Relay

Three weeks of racing, traveling, exploring, recovering, laughing, stressing and celebrating.

The results were a great bonus, but the biggest takeaway was the opportunity to race in two amazing locations and experience everything that came with it.

Three of the most amazing weeks I’ll never forget. 🇫🇷🇪🇸 by @stephoech615

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15 days ago

Three weeks in Europe with my favorite person🫶🏼

Nice, Menton, Èze, Monaco, Ibiza, Vigo & Pontevedra — so many beautiful places, but my favorite part was getting to experience all of it with my ❤️

The little moments, beach walks, laughs, amazing food, getting lost, figuring it out as we went, and just having three weeks to slow down and enjoy being together.

Would choose you for every adventure, every time @oech72 . ❤️🇫🇷🇲🇨🇪🇸 by @stephoech615

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19 days ago

The 2026 World Standard Aquabike Championship is (nearly) here. 🌍 🏊 🚴

It was September 2023 when Pontevedra held the second ever World Standard Aquabike Championship, following the event’s debut in Abu Dhabi. Three years ago, 340 athletes took to the start line. This year, almost 500 athletes are on the start list.

With a swim in the tidal Lérez River and hilly (and most likely busy) out-and-back bike course, the route is sure to be an interesting one.

Weather looks promising for Saturday - 26°C and a light wind - but heavy thunderstorms and rain on Sunday. We’ll keep our fingers crossed the rain doesn’t come sooner than expected.

On to the pre-race favourites.

All top 5 men in the current Aquabike World Ranking will be competing in Pontevedra. Tommy NIELSEN finished 3rd - exactly 2 minutes behind the winner, after serving a 2 minute penalty - in Banyoles. The winner of that race, Paul VANOTTI is also competing.

Last year’s world long distance winner - crowned on these streets - Igor FRANKO and long-time rankings leader Frank ERK are also likely to be near the front.

There are several names you may not be so familiar with looking to get on the podium, the likes of Irishman Martin MIZGAJSKI and Brit Ross HOSKING. These men will be making their international debut, but have had strong national performances, as have American Tiago DEPAULA SOUZA and Canadian William THRIFT.

Who’ll win? Don’t know. But we’re pretty sure it will be a close men’s race.

The women’s race is likely to be shaped by the Brits and, somewhat surprisingly, Canadians, according to our pre-race analysis. Kerry HICKSON has a comfortable lead in the rankings, and will be making her international debut.

American Stephanie OECHSNER has won all the championship events she has entered, so will be a tough woman to beat.

Canada’s leading contender is Andrea DAMIANI, followed by the likes of Alicia SLADE. Back to the Brits, and expect to see Hayley DAVIS, Victoria ROTHWELL, Catherine SEN, Ella CARTER and Pascale WEHR all in contention.

Link to full race preview in bio. taken in Pontevedra, Spain by @stephoech615

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25 days ago

World Champs in Nice 🇫🇷

A race I’ll never forget.
The views. The course. The nerves. The suffering. The finish line.

Not everything went exactly to plan, but getting to race here was the opportunity of a lifetime—and I’m proud of the fight I gave it.

Nice, you were one hell of a ride. 🤍 taken in Nice, France by @stephoech615

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a month ago

Tomorrow I get to line up in Nice and race on the biggest stage. 🇫🇷

A lot of work went into getting here, and I’m excited to finally put it to the test against the best in the world.

No big expectations. Just ready to race hard, have fun, and see what I can do. 🔥

Let’s go! taken in Nice Ville - Promenade des Anglais by @stephoech615

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a month ago

OECHSNER wins big at US Long Course Nationals, but participation numbers stay low.

The US long distance - or ultra, as the Americans tend to call it - aquabike championships took place at the Peasantman in Penn Yan, NY last weekend.

Josh WOLF won the men’s event, but arguably it was Stephanie OECHSNER @stephoech615 who stole the show. She finished only 4 minutes behind the men’s winner, and had the fastest swim of the day. She broke the course record in a remarkable 6:34:37 for the 3.9km swim and 187km ride.

However, unfortunately, we have to mention the low participation numbers at this event. Only 11 athletes took part, which is just a slither of the numbers we’re used to seeing at the shorter distance US championships, or other national and international championships worldwide. Admittedly, this is 2 more athletes than last year, but still, these really aren’t numbers to shout about.

Why are numbers so low? Is it that people just don’t like the long stuff? Is it a confidence thing? Not having the time to do the training required?

It isn’t just the US, although this does seem to be a standout example. Numbers in the full distance races worldwide do tend to be significantly lower.

That said, last weekend also saw the biggest ever long distance race which didn’t serve as a major championship. The Nordschwarzwald Triathlon Full Distance Aquabike was taken on by 39 athletes which is good going for a non-championship long distance race.

It was a competitive one too, especially on the women’s side. Recent European Champion Kristina BÜHLER @chillylalilly , who struck gold over in the women’s race in Banyoles, had to settle for third at the Nordschwarzwald Triathlon. Finnja ERNSTBERGER and Carmen GANDER finished 10 minutes ahead of BÜHLER this time round.

What are your thoughts on long distance racing? Why are participation numbers so much lower? We’d love to hear your thoughts below. 👇

Image credits @stephoech615 taken in Penn Yan, New York by @stephoech615

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2 months ago

Took a trip up north, tried a new race distance, took the tape & set a new course record 🏆 🏊🏻‍♀️🚴🏼‍♀️

Explored the cutest lake town, hopped across the border to see the Falls 🇨🇦 and had the best few days with my bestie ❤️

A few more weeks of the build, then we’re off to Nice 🇫🇷 + Pontevedra 🇪🇸 for some overseas racing! ✈️🌎 by @stephoech615

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2 months ago

Couldn’t be happier with my Cervélo P5 and the team at Wheelhouse Bicycle for always keeping it dialed in.

Tomorrow we send it. 🏁🔥

#CerveloP5 #WheelhouseBicycle #Triathlon #RaceDay by @stephoech615

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2 months ago

One week out. 🫶🏼

Weeks on weeks of training, cheering and celebrating. Everything that makes this journey worth it.

One week until the longest race I’ve ever done. Feeling grateful, excited, nervous, and SO ready.

Let’s go. 🏊🏼‍♀️🚴🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️✨ by @stephoech615

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2 months ago

Happiest birthday wishes to my most favorite person😍
Love you always @oech72 😘😘😘 by @stephoech615

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3 months ago

Desert views, natural hot springs, incredible food, and time well spent. ✨

Castle Hot Springs, you were magic. 🌵🏜️🤍 taken in Castle Hot Springs, Arizona by @stephoech615

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4 months ago

Good day at Ironman 70.3 Gulf Coast. 🌊🚴🏃

Not the full swim we hoped for, but grateful to race and happy with the effort. Felt strong, stayed patient, and came away motivated for what’s ahead.

Building season 🔥 by @stephoech615

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5 months ago