Race Coverage

Weekend Podium Picks...

Tuesday, 28 May 2013 03:10

(Logo - The 10th annual Buffalo Triathlon is one of three major regional events to be contested this weekend.)

Race Previewettes - Just for grinzies, the MTN Guys are picking the podium finishers for the three triathlons on next weekend's Minnesota multisport calendar. The races are the 8th annual NEW BRI TRI (Saturday), the 10th BUFFALO TRIATHLON (Sunday) and PIGMAN SPRINT (Sunday.) Our picks are based solely on start lists that we reviewed last weekend. It is certainly possible, perhaps likely, that later registrants will claim top spots at New Bri and Buffalo. Pig Sprint filled long ago.

So here goes. Let's start with Saturday's race....

NEW BRI TRI - Men

1. Brian Sames. 2. Sam Janicki. 3. Ross Weinzierl

NOTES: We're picking 2012 Rookie of the Year runner-up, Brian Sames, to outrace 2010 ROY runner-up Sam Janicki because The Samster hasn't raced in a multisport event since May of 2012 and should have some chunklets of rust that need to be knocked off, whereas Brian is already rocking socks this season. He's won the amateur title at Falls Du and Cinco Du Mayo and just placed 5th overall (3rd amateur) at Apple. We think Ross is podium-ready, but he'll have to race balls-to-the-wall, puke-on-your-shoes hard to do it.

NEW BRI TRI - Women

1. Hilary Patzer. 2. Gillian Auslander. 3. Lisa Lendway

NOTES: Hilary and Gillian finished 1-2 here last year. 2006 Rookie of the Year nominee, Lendway will be inspired by her sister's success (Heather was ROY in 2012) and rise to the occasion on Saturday. Sibling rivalry should be a major motivator.

BUFFALO TRIATHLON - Men

1. David Holden. 2. John Taipale (WI). 3. Mike Ladendorf

NOTES: We're predicting a breakout season for Mikey L.

BUFFALO TRIATHLON - Women

1. Kortney Haag. 2. Heather Lendway. 3. Ann Snuggerud

NOTES: The easiest of the podiums to pick. We're anxious to see how close the race will be between Kort and Heather.

UPDATE: We just learned that three-time (2012, 2010, 2005) Buffalo Olympic champ and holder of the amateur course record, Cathy Yndestad,will be racing, therefore the Guys pick her to win. Greg Rhodes had also signed up. The Guys think that he will place either 2nd or 3rd in the men's race.