A Team Manitoba triathlete is no stranger to the reality of competing in the Canada Games.

Claire Healey, 17, who is representing Manitoba as a triathlete in the 2017 Canada Summer Games, has had positive experiences with the Games thus far.

"It was pretty amazing. The crowd there was awesome and everyone was cheering loud, especially considering that we're from Manitoba. There was a lot of people out there cheering for us." said Healey of her experience from Monday's race. "I didn't have the greatest race, but even after the race, my teammates were super supportive, and the environment was so incredible."

Healey, who also competed as an alpine skiier in the 2015 Winter Games in Prince George, British Columbia, believes there are definite perks to competing on her home turf. "It's less stressful, we know the course... it's a smaller group, and our families can be there to support us and cheer us on."

Originally a competitive swimmer, Healey was drawn to competing in triathlons when she was invited to participate in a race by some fellow swimmers who were also competing. "They invited me out to one of the races just to try it, and the environment and the community was just so great that I had to keep going with it."

It's a huge commitment that Healey has made to her sport, investing sometimes up to 22 hours a week training in addition to attending school full-time. She views the commitment as an investment, however. "It's a multisport games experience like the Olympics... it's a stepping stone to our careers and what we want to do."

"I just love that feeling of accomplishment when I cross the finish line," shared Healey. "It's something that a lot of people won't be able to do, ever, so the fact that I can do it amazes me every time."

She looks forward to competing again Friday in the triathlon relay, and has enjoyed being able to connect with other athletes over the course of the Games.

"It's really cool to see everyone here together, all competing, because we're all athletes and we've all worked super hard to be here.

"We're a really good community."