Race Coverage

Gaby Grabs Top Spot...

Tuesday, 08 September 2015 00:10

ST. CROIX VALLEY OLYMPIC - Despite thick, wet, warm, blowy air, GABY BUNTEN (photo) managed to turn in a Performance of the Year-nomination-worthy effort at this 13-year-old classic race. Starting with her signature awesome swim, she charged on to a time of 2:12:15, which, according to our records, is the fastest (legitimate *) Olympic time by a Minnesota (amateur) woman this year. Four women have broken 2:13 this season, and Gaby's name is at the tippy-top of that list. Check it out:

1. GABY BUNTEN - 2:12:15 - St. Croix Valley Olympic

2. ELAINE NELSON - 2:12:29 - USAT AG Nationals

3. BRIDGET MCCOY - 2:12:40 - Life Tim Tri - Minneapolis

4. LISA LENDWAY - 2:12:55 - USAT AG Nationals

Was the SCVO course accurate? A review of the splits suggested that it was.

For Bunten, it was her 3rd win of the season and 4th of her career. And yes, her name is smack-dab in the middle of the Triathlete of the Year discussion, though determining the four best candidates will be harder than ever this year. There are at least EIGHT women currently receiving consideration for TOY nominations....

Joining Gaby on the Top Step of the podium last Saturday was men's pre-race favorite BRIAN SAMES (2:01:21), whose win was the 15th of his career. IMOO-bound NICOLE "HEINEY" HEININGER was on the sidelines cheering for Brian and taking care of his puppy, who is totally adorable.

Only one non-open-class AG course record was rewritten. Courtland, Minnesota's DENNY ELLINGSON, who sometimes sings the National Anthem at Final Stretch races, and does so beautifully, lowered FRED CLAYTON's 2010 60-64M's mark by 4:05 (from 2:30:24 to 2:16:18).

MEN'S TOP 5:  1. BRIAN SAMES (28, Chaska) - 2:01:21, 2. BRENT SINN (37, Holmen, WI) - 2:05:00, 3.  SCOTT MYERS (40, Plymouth) - 2:08:43, 4. RICH HEILMAN (50, Lakeville) - 2:09:32, 5. BRIAN PORTER (35, Lakeville) - 2:10:10.

WOMEN'S TOP 5: 1. GABY BUNTEN (23, White Bear Lake) - 2:12:15, 2. ANDREA MYERS (39, Plymouth) - 2:21:52, 3. JENNY THACKER (40, Stillwater) - 2:33:15, 4. JENNA MUNTIFERING (20, Buffalo) - 2:39:19, 5. CAITLIN LOCK-COOMES (32, Minneapolis) - 2:40:11.

The SCVO had 106 finishers. RESULTS

* Faster winning times were posted at Buffalo and Maple Grove, which, however, abbreviated their bike courses by a couple of "K"s this year.

Photo - Josh Blankenheim's dog. We FBed Brian Sames asking him to send us a pic of his puppy and haven't heard back from him, so we posted this dog photo, instead. This dog's name is Henry or Barney of Phydeaux, we're not sure, and he's wearing the dreaded "Cone-of-Shame" to keep him from licking the place where his plums used to be be.

UPDATE: Brian just sent us a pic of himself with his dog, Leo. Check it out: