Hi All,
Many many things triathlon to update this week as we get ready for the first ITU World Championship Series race of the year (Sunday in Sydney). But first, lots of Ironman news…
Two weeks ago Ironman Australia saw the first big Ironman race of the year, and once again, the Aussies defended their turf with a vengeance. Pete Jacobs won going away for his 4th victory in a row at Ironman Australia, defeating Scotland's Scott Neyedli by over 4 minutes …. Jacobs might be ready to make a big splash one of these years at Kona,but unfortunately for a developing star like Jacobs, there might not be too much room at the top as the cagey veterans like Craig Alexander, Chris McCormack, and a bevy of Germans stick around and defend against the young upstarts like Andy Potts, Terrenzo Bozzone and the Raelert brothers. The women’s race was supposed to be another repeat coronation for Rebekah Keat, but she got destroyed by an Ironman rookie in 29-year old Carrie Lester. Not bad - never done an Ironman. Win the whole thing. Keat finished a whopping 10 minutes back.
That same weekend, the big North American race was Oceanside 70.3. The men’s race was supposed to be ready-made for Matt Reed (defending champion) but the younger Raelert brother Michael simply biked away from him. Everyone knew Raelert was fast on a flat course like Clearwater, but could he handle the hills in Oceanside? He also said that he won’t do an Ironman until his bike skills get faster. Check and check. Raelert had a 2 minute lead off the bike and gained more time on the run course for an easy three minute victory. He’s now the best 70.3 racer in the world, and it will be interesting if he decides to follow his brother to Kona in October. Look out for the Raelerts….
The women’s race was not expected to be a battle between Mirinda Carfrae, Leanda Cave, and Sam McGlone. Carfrae definitely did her part, as she entered the run near the front and absolutely ran away from the field with a 1:17 race record run split. How fast is Carfrae? Only 6 guys ran faster than her! Wow. Cave and McGlone tried to follow but finished 6 and 9 minutes back. They were actually pushed to 3rd and 4th overall by Scottish newcomer Lesley Patterson, who ran 1:18 to finish 2nd. Yet another really fast Great Britain triathlete? That list is getting pretty long (Julie Dibens, Cave, Helen Jenkins, Cat Morrison, Chrissie Wellington, the Brownlee brothers, Hollie Avil). That’s a lot of talent…
Speaking of Chrissie Wellington, she is healing from her winter injury of a broken hand, wrist, and arm - and will be racing for the first time in June at Ironman 70.3 Kansas. It will be great to have her back racing before she attempts to break another record or two at Quelle Roth in July. She better get into pretty good shape since she will face Julie Dibens this year in Kona, and Dibens is 2-0 against Wellington in her career. Both were in shorter races (half-Iron distance) but she will face her biggest challenge this year at Kona.
The ITU folks are finally back at it in the first ITU World Championship Series race of 2010 in Sydney, Australia. You might remember the last ITU race in Sydney…
What a day for triathlon that was. Now the ITU racers are back to kick off their 7 race World Championship Series, which ends in Budapest in September with the Grand Finale. And guess who’s back in Sydney for his first race of 2010. Yep, Canada’s golden boy, Simon Whitfield. And with a few racers sidelined with injury (Javier Gomez, Alistair Brownlee), Whitfield has a better-than-ever chance to begin his season in style. Now Simon has often taken a little while to get into race shape, so it might be a lot to ask him to end his winter with a win Down Under, but a podium finish might be possible. He’s facing Jan Frodeno (aka the guy who stole Simon’s second gold in 2008), a couple of fast Kiwis in Bevan Docherty and Kris Gemmell, the always competitive Brad Kahlefeldt from Australia, and a number of other quality guys. But there’s definitely no overwhelming favorite. Simon will not have any other Canadian teammates to help him on(late edit: Kyle Jones is racing), but hopefully his run legs will get him to the front of the race. Go Simon Go!
The women’s race will feature a lot of the 2009 season stars but unfortunately no Emma Snowsill or Vanessa Fernandes. Emma Moffatt (#1 in 09) will be challenged by Lisa Norden (#2), Andrea Hewitt (#3), Daniela Ryf (#4), Helen Jenkins (#5), and Sarah Haskins among a strong field. Canada is only represented by one woman as well (Kathy Tremblay) as Kirsten Sweetland has yet another nagging injury and will not start in Sydney. Here’s hoping she can get healthy after losing a lot of the past year-and-a-half with injuries. Good luck Kathy!
Ok, that's it for triathlon...more coming soon!
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