Race Coverage

Hometown Champions...

Monday, 07 August 2017 19:10

BREWHOUSE TRIATHLON - The 31st edition of this classic race, its fifth at its majestic Island Lake home, was as spectacular as the weather that made for excellent racing conditions for the 400ish participants. Adding to the excitement was a cool race within the race, pitting  college teams from UM, Wisconsin - Madison, Iowa and Iowa State against each other, and an expected plethora of old and new friends from north of the border, many of whom returned to Thunder Bay, Fort Frances, Winnipeg etc. with AG awards.

Pre-race faves in the Olympic race, JOSH BLANKENHEIM, who has an awesome girlfriend named Larissa, and a black lab named Winston, and ELAINE NELSON (photo), whose two beautiful children were being attended to by her in-laws, lived up to expectations. Both grabbed the lead during the bike portion and never looked back. Perhaps they were worried about the pursuing collegians because they never let up, turning in fine times and wide margins of victory.

For Blank and Nelson, it was their 2nd BH win. Joshie--he hates to be called that!--also won in 2016; Elaine was victorious here in 2014. With her 2:12:32, Nelson now owns two of the Top three women's times since BH relocated to Island Lake.

With his 2:00:32, Blank now owns four of the event's seven quickest amateur men's clockings. His win comes on the heels of three straight 2nd place performances in major regional events. ....

Finishing 2nd for the men was La Crosse's JAKE CROTEAU, 20, whose solid 2:02:19  came just six days after he set a half IM personal best at Chisago. Jakie--he likes to be called that; it's what his grandma, who is a hoot!, calls him--won his AG at IMOO in 2016 and will be racing at Kona in October.

Rounding out the men's Olympic podium JAKE METTLER (2:03:13) from ISU. Iowa Staters claimed two of the men's Top 3 spots in the collegiate race. Wisconsin did likewise for the women.

Nelson's win was the 16th of her young career. Her closest rival was Thunder Bay nurse and all-around terrifc person, KAYLA KJELLMAN, whose 2:19:06 was a personal best. Keeping her unblemished string of podium performances alive this season was TIFFANY KARI, who posted a 2:22:34.

Tiff is also terrific, but you probably already know that.

One AG record was set. Rochester's ALY WELCH, 18, lowered the junior CR from 2:35:14 to 2:30:10.  RESULTS

ED. Brewhouse Sprint coverage will post on Wednesday.