Race Coverage
We Needed the Rain...
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Wednesday, 11 August 2021 00:10
GRANITEMAN BIG LAKE - Minnesota needs rain. Lots of it. If only it had waited until after last Sunday's Big Lake Triathlons, right?
But most triathletes are hardy people. The 274 who went the distance last weekend certainly were.
Lots of cool things happened at this 11-year-old event. Rookie triathlete CAMI ECKHOFF posted her first win, doing so rather handily in the Olympic race. KATIE ODEN (photo), coming off wrist surgery (rollerblade accident) and admittedly undertrained, scored a win in the Sprint race. Cool, huh!
Then there was this new guy. His name is PRESTON YOUNGDAHL. Like Cami, he posted a convincing win, which allowed him to share the Top Step of the Olympic podium. Well, it turns out that he has raced in Minnesota before, albeit back in 2011, when he placed 10th at Lake Minnetonka. He's originally from Deephaven, went to HS at MInnetonka but left the state shortly thereafter. Until recently, he's been living in Boutte, Louisiana, which he is likely to pronounce "Booty Loo-zee-anna." ...
Nationals Name Dropping....
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Tuesday, 10 August 2021 00:10
USA TRIATHLON AGE GROUP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - Though marked by post-pandemic (mid-pandemic?) underrepresention, Minnesotans rocked at Nationals. Lots of Team USA berths were well-earned, and some of our state's athletes were truly competitive, either overall or in their respective age groups.
Minnesota's top performers are listed below. You'll note that three men cracked the 2-hour mark in the Olympic competition, led by Minnesota's male Rookie of the Year frontrunner HENRY JESSON, who was also our fastest athlete in the Sprint. Two of our state's athletes--JENNA HORNER (20-24 Olympic Women) and TONY SCHILLER (60-64M Olympic and Sprint) were crowned Age Group National Champions.
OLYMPIC NATIONALS - Top 40 Men
20. HENRY JESSON - 1:58:25
21. DAVID KOPPEL - 1:58:29
32. TIM BONTRAGER - 1:59:23
40. KYLE SWENSON - 2:00:59 ...
- Age Group Medalist (Top 3)
2nd 15-19 - KYLE SWENSON - 2:00:59
2nd 35-39 - DAVID KOPPEL - 1:58:29
1st 60-64 - TONY SCHILLER - 2:08:15...
"I LOVED the venue & the Course"...
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Saturday, 07 August 2021 00:10
By Jake Keehan
GEAR WEST HALF RACE REPORT - Hey MTN, you had mentioned that you wanted to get my GPS splits before I left: Swim, I'd trust the official results. GPS watches can be off with OWS pretty frequently but mine had me at 1:30/100 and 1,760 yds for a 26:29. The 1:22 from the results sounds more like what I was expecting, but I caught myself pulling to the left every time I was breathing right and came off line/went wide more than a few times, so who knows?
Bike course was long, 58.5 miles and I trust the GPS data on that. I believe the official results calculated the pace based on 56 miles, but I had 23.5 MPH for a 2:29:14. 23.5 MPH for 56 miles comes out to 2:22:48 (6:26 faster).
GPS had my run just a tad short, 12.93 miles and 6:20 pace for a 1:22:00 but I'd think the course was accurate and 6:16 pace sounds better. If my math is right the 6:26 from the bike off the total time of 4:20:58 would put me at 4:14:32 for 70.3 (spot on what was predicted in the event preview!). ...
"A Triathlon Broke Out!"
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Wednesday, 04 August 2021 00:10
BREWHOUSE XXXIV COVERAGE - It was a beautiful morning for a wedding. Held on the bluff overlooking majestic Island Lake north of Duluth last Sunday, the lovely SHELLY BEATY PEARSON and the comparatively discheveled (meant with total affectionate!) MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY EVANS, exchanged vows after a 35-year engagement. The ceremony was witnessed by approximately 300 guests, and officiated by a Holy Man / restauranteur named RODNEY SADHU RAYMOND, who had printed his online "Marriager Certificate"earlier in the day....
So Good to be Back!
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Monday, 02 August 2021 00:10
GEAR WEST HALF & OLYMPIC COVERAGE - For almost two decades Final Stretch produced numerous great multisport events. Unquestionably, the greatest of these was the Liberty Triathlon at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve. When MARK BONGERS, Final Stretch's owner and ebullient teddy bear of a guy, chose a new career path in 2018, Minnesota's tri community was truly saddened.
There was something about Liberty that was too good to die. Almost immediately it was understood that it would return someday. Several groups considered resurrecting the event. Then two years ago, JAN GUENTHER, owner of Gear West Bike and Triathlon who also happens to be our state's most decorated multisportswoman, and extroverted California exile JOHNNY SURPRISE (photo), committed themselves to making it happen. For them, it was time to stop talking, and start doing.
And they did, with all their heart and soul (and some awesome sponsors!). Last Sunday, triathlon returned to Lake Rebecca and the mood was joyous. The day was beautiful, sunny, no decernable smoke, and temps were agreeable for most of the event's duration....
A Successful Debut...
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Saturday, 31 July 2021 00:10
1st ALEXANDRIA TRIATHLON - Using a HS yearbook metaphor, BRIAN STORHAUG (photo) and COREY NYGAARD came into the race as the men's "Most Likely To Succeed." On the women's side, the same could be said for JOELLEN KOHLMAN-PETRICK.
Those athletes lived up to their designations, though Kohlman-Petrick had to contend with a very pesky local woman named KADIE HOKANSON, a lapsed triathlete who has successful results, albeit prior to 2011.
Joellen led, though not by a huge margin, until the run, when Hokanson steadily closed the gap. Kadie got within 16-seconds when she ran out of race course.
2020 Minnesota Grand Master of the Year LISA HINES, 58, filled out the women's Top 3....
