FEATURES
Jan, Christel & Cheryl...
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Thursday, 17 October 2024 00:10
By Simon
As mentioned in Garfunkel's post, determining the three nominees for Female Grand Master of the Year was agonizing. The ultimate decision to leave JULIA WEISBECKER, 58, from Eagan, off the list was a toughie. And no, we are not sure that we made the right decision. In the end it came down to racing volume. Julia raced three times, each with elite results, while the other women turned in four or more great performances apiece. ...
Here are the offical nominees, in alpha order, for 2024 Female Grand Master of the Year:
JAN GUENTHER, 65, Long Lake (top photo)
Winner of more MMHs (19!) than anyone, Jan is simply a world class amateur triathlete. Here are her 2024 results:
- 5th overall woman @ Timberman International - AGR
- 6th overall woman @ Lake Minnetonka - 1st 50+
- 7th overall woman @ Chisago 70.3 - AGR
- 16th overall woman @ Maple Grove International - AGR
- 1st AG @ Madison 70.3 - AGR - 1st 55+
CHRISTEL KIPPENHAN, 59, Bemidji
Christel had an amazing season, so much so that despite the fact the depth of talented 55+ women in Minnesota is off the charts, with four AG records in five starts, she had to be on our list of official nominees. Here are her 2024 highlights:
- 2nd overall woman @ Timberman Sprint - AGR
- 3rd overall woman @ Buzz Ryan Sprint - AGR
- 3rd overall amateur woman @ Brewhouse Sprint - AGR
- 3rd overall woman / 2nd AG @ Northwoods
- 11th overall woman @ Maple Grove International - AGR
CHERYL ZITUR, 59, Corcoran (page 2 photo)
A perennial GMOY nominee, Cheryl once again had an amazing season. A sprint course specialist, she was the outright winner of three of the four races she did. She dropped all the way to 2nd overall in her only non-winning effort. Here's her highlights:
- 1st overall woman @ Clearwater Sprint
- 1st overall @ Chisago Sprint
- 1st overall @ Maple Grove Sprint
- 2nd overall / 1st 40+ @ Northwoods
ED. Garfunkel has more to say about Julia. His words will post on Saturday.
