Nearly 3,000 top athletes from more than 60 countries are in the city this weekend for Sunday's Vancouver Triathlon.
They'll be running, biking and swimming in English Bay and Stanley Park.
As they made their final preparations on Friday, some competitors needed medical attention after a preliminary event, which went ahead in spite of the winter-like weather conditions.
Another storm is expected Sunday, something the top female triathlete on the planet isn't looking forward to.
"I don't like to compete in cold but I have to do everything for it to be good because it will be equal for everyone," said Portugal's Vanessa Fernandez
Two Canadian athletes won't just be fighting the weather. They'll be battling for a spot at the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
"It's almost more important than the Olympics because if you don't make it herem you're not going there," said Kathy Tremblay.
Paul Tichelaar is taking a similar view as he prepares for the competition to begin. "This is my life's work on the line this weekend,'' he said.
"This is a big race for me, the biggest race of my life, the biggest race of the year, a lot on the line, I think I've prepared very well for it,'' he said.
At last year's Vancouver race, Simon Whitfield's wife was about to give birth. He won the race, anyway
The Victoria native likes his chances on Sunday, and says travel fatigue shouldn't be a factor.
"No, because I took the ferry here. It was just great. I traveled yesterday and thought that's the easiest travel I've ever done, so being so close to home with the energy of all the people is just fantastic," he said.
Thousands are expected to turn out to watch the world's best cycle, run and swim around English Bay and Stanley Park.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Mike Killeen
