Race Previews
Maple Grove Name-Dropping...
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Thursday, 23 August 2018 23:10
MAPLE GROVE TRIATHLON PREVIEW - It's hard to believe that the Maple Grove Triathlon will celebrate its 9th anniversary tomorrow. But its true.
Those who have done this race know that it is awesome. It is well-attended and staged beautifully at a truly world class venue....
A Superior Race....
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Wednesday, 22 August 2018 23:10
SUPERIOR MAN TRIATHLON - The 7th edition of this decorated (three-time "Race of the Year") event is next Sunday, and we can't wait to get there. It is truly an exciting event, and the competition, especially in the half IM, is awesome. Did you know that an amateur men's state record was set there last year--MATT CYMANSKI's 4:01:40--and a women's amateur state standard--NICOLE WALKER's 4:25:05--was set there in 2016?
It's true, and how cool is that!
Do we expect those records to tumble on Sunday? We are reluctant to predict that, but it could happen. HANNA GRINAKER (photo) popped a 4:28 at Chisago, and was on pace to go that fast, or faster, at Liberty when weather surgerized the run course.
With her IM debut just weeks away, we suspect that Hanna will target the men, not the women, on Sunday. Her goal will be to catch and pass as many credentialed guys as possible. We're predicting a sub-4:30 for her, and a spot in the overall Top 5-7.
Grinaker's boyfriend is 2017 MInnesota Triathlete of the Year SEAN COOLEY, who has already won Superior Man FOUR times. His personal best here is 4:04:21. Can he take the CR down next weekend? Sure. In our opinion, he's the one Minnesota guy who, at this point in time, has a legit shot at cracking the 4-hour mark.
We're hoping that the weather will cooperate on Sunday--current forecast is for temps between 60 and 72, with light winds out of the NNE--so that more Superior Man magic will happen.
Here's some of many things we hope to see: ...
Lakes Country Turns 19...
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Tuesday, 21 August 2018 23:10
LAKES COUNTRY TRIATHLON - The 19th edition of this sprint triathlon will happen next Sunday, and if you haven't done it yet, we suggest that you give it a try. Simply put, it's a very cool event.
Approximately 150 athetes had enrolled when the race director allowed us to look at the registration list. That was last week. So, as with race management, our hope is that the LCT gets a nice late push, and that 200-or-more athletes line the beach at Whipple Lake next weekend. Last weekend's races had encouraging attendances, and we hope that Lakes Country will continue that positive trend.
Now, who do we think will win in Baxter next Sunday? Based on the list we saw, our picks are Sauk Rapids' WADE CRUSER and local standout JACQUELYN BACIGALUPI (photo). We're picking Cruser even though he would have raced the day before at Maple Grove. And though the Maple Grove/Lakes Country weekend marks his fifth consecutive week of racing, a period he kicked off with a PR at Chisago Lakes Half, and followed with three (maybe four?) straight victories, we are betting that his speed and fitness will triumph over the fatigue that a more mortal athlete would experience under similar circumstances.
Cruser is definitely cruising for a Triathlete of the Year nomination, thus guys like SEAN COOLEY and PATRICK PARISH better up their games if they want to prevent Wade from taking the prize....
Party Invitation & Previews....
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Tuesday, 14 August 2018 23:20
- SWIM + BARBECUE! Hosted by Gear West Bike & Triathlon and the Lake Minnetonka Triathlon!
JOIN US!
For a swim + barbecue at Long Lake (one minute west of Gear West)
Lake Minnetonka Triathlon race participants (who sadly, did not race this year due to
adverse weather conditions) and Gear West triathletes + swimmers + skiers who swim +
runners who swim!
DETAILS:
Swim starts at 10:30 (meet at GW at 10:15 and we will head down to the park)
Swim length can be ½ mile (or less, because you can just turn around) to 1 mile from beach
to the Orono beach (the GW Ram van will take us back to the starting beach)...
A Four-Peat for Christina?
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Friday, 10 August 2018 23:10
As promised, here are some predictins for Sunday's 11th annual YWCA WOMEN'S TRIATHLON, starting with the overall Top 5.
Here's some stuff about CHRISTINA ROBERTS, our pick to win for the 4th straight year:
- Career tri wins: 20
- YWCA Resume: Amateur champ in 2017, 2016, 2015; PR - 1:07:34 (2015)
- COMMENT: Christina's 2018 resume features two regional wins and a 3rd at Escape from Alcatraz. Clear choice for the win.
2. SUZIE FOX
- Career multisport wins: 42
- YWCA Resume: 2nd amateur in 2017, 2nd in 2009, 6th in 2010; PR - 1:11:14 (2017)
- COMMENT: Suzie hasn't missed a podium yet this season. There is no reason for her to start now....
Some YWCA Tri History...
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Thursday, 09 August 2018 23:10
YWCA WOMEN'S TRIATHLON - In an earlier post, we erroneously said that this race would celebrate its 10th anniversary on Sunday. It will actually celebrate its 11th birthday. Our apologies to the race organizers.
Recently a guy asked us to post the past champions of the YWCA Women's Tri. We are happy to provide that information..
