After a demanding block of international racing, Desirae Ridenour returned home – and made it count.
The 25-year-old from Cowichan Bay BC closed out her stretch of cross-continental racing with a commanding win at the 2025 Americas Triathlon Cup Montreal on July 19, taking the top spot in Parc Jean-Drapeau with a time of 57:12. It was her second victory of the season, after a win in Napier back in February, and her third podium, having also placed second in Holten earlier this month.
Ridenour raced with precision, staying in the front pack through the 750m swim and 20km bike. She closed with a 16:52 5km, the second-fastest run of the day, and surged past American Naomi Ruff to claim the gold.
“I’ve been racing pretty well this year, so going into the race I knew I had a shot of taking the win,” Ridenour said.
Confidence and Control in Parc Jean-Drapeau
The Montreal race unfolded under calmer conditions than some of her earlier starts this season, such as the heat-soaked effort she pushed through in Holten. Ridenour was able to set the tone and stay in control.
“A lot of the races I’ve done this year have played out differently, with varying conditions,” she said. “But I’ve still been able to deliver solid results. In this particular race, I was in a position to dictate how it unfolded… I’m confident I have the tools to adapt to whatever challenges come my way.”
That combination of poise and tactical precision was on full display. For Ridenour, the win in Montreal was not just a high point: it was a moment of redemption, coming just a week after what she described as “not the best race” in Hamburg.
“It’s always nice to take the win, especially on home soil,” she said. “Personally, it was a bit of a relief…delivering a strong result in Montreal felt like the perfect way to finish [the race block].”
Travel Fatigue and a Mental Boost
Montreal marked the final stop in a demanding stretch of races before returning to North America. After six weeks of mostly solo travel, the physical and mental fatigue was real.
But one key variable shifted before this race: her partner, New Zealand triathlete Trent Thorpe, flew in to support her. The presence of someone familiar helped sharpen her mindset heading into race day.
“I think the biggest difference for me was my partner, Trent Thorpe, flying from New Zealand, to support and mentally reinforce that fitness was still there, and that I could still perform at my best on the day.”
That support, paired with her own belief and consistency, helped turn the tide. And Montreal wasn’t just another podium – it was confirmation that she’s moving in the right direction.
“This success really reinforces that I’m on the right path,” she said. “I’ve been training consistently, staying injury-free, and building a support network that works for me. And I think that’s reflected in the performances I’ve been able to deliver.”
What’s Next
Ridenour’s next step is another home race: the 2025 Americas Triathlon Cup Kelowna on August 9. From there, she’s expected to return to Europe for the inaugural WTCS event in the French Riviera, with additional opportunities on the horizon, including potential starts with her French Grand Prix team, Chateauroux.
She’s also eyeing another WTCS race, along with two World Cups in Asia later this season.
“I’m still finalizing my schedule for the second half of the year,” she said, but emphasized her eagerness to continue racing and building on her momentum.
Ridenour’s win in Montreal capped not only a personal high point, but a strong day for the Canadian women overall. Sophia Howell (4th), Emy Legault (6th), and Sidney Clement (10th) all finished in the top ten in a 50-athlete field, underscoring the depth of talent in Canada’s elite program.
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