Race Coverage

Looking Back...Conquering Couples...

Tuesday, 03 January 2017 23:10

YEAR OF THE COUPLE - 2015 was the year of the Woman in Minnesota. Never was the female tri and du talent pool so deep, until 2016 that is. The additions of Hanna Grinaker, Dani Vsetecka and Erin Hyndman-Farrens strengthened Team Minnesota significantly, and the women age-40 and over were abundant and faster than ever.

Then we juxtapose what was going on among Minnesota's elite amateur men. Four 2015 Team Minnesota members--Bennett Isabella, Nick Nygaard, Brian Sames and Devon Palmer--didn't race in '16. And Mike Ward (#11, who did race once), and Larry Hosch (#12, injured) were not in a position to fill two of the spots.

So, 2016 was also the Year of the Woman, right?

Sure, but it was likewise the year of the Couple. Three boyfriend/girlfriend teams rocked Team MInnesota last year. This is unprecedented. Check them out: ...

- Christina Roberts (#3) and Jordan Roby (#9). Between them, four races were won and nine podiums were reached.

- Gaby Bunten (#6) and Kris Spoth (#7). They collected five victories and a total of eight podiums.

- Hanna Grinaker (#1) and Sean Cooley (#2). Not since Dan Hedgecock and his future wife Claire Bootsma rocked the regional and National amateur scenes in 2012, has Minnesota seen a couple as fast and successful as HG and SC. In '12, Hedge and Boots amassed seven victories and 16 total podiums. They both got pro licensnes in 2013.

In 2016, Sean and Hanna won seven races and landed on 14 total podiums. It sould be noted here that between them, Dan and Claire raced 22 times in '12, whereas Grinaker and Cooley raced 17 times last year.