Race Previews

#12 at Whipple...

Saturday, 25 August 2012 02:10

Lakes Country Tri Preview - Marketed as the Lakes Country Tri since 2003, this race actually started in 2001, and was known initially as the Whipple Wave. The event was founded by a sweetheart-of-a-human-being-with-the-blondest-hair-in-the-history-of--well,--hair, Angela Sandelin.

The two WWTs preceding the new and improved name were won by athletes that are, unfortunately, remembered by few in Minnesota's current multisport community. North Dakota transplant, and former pro triathlete, Mike Sweeney, a great guy who looked too big to be fast, took the men's title in those races. Two-time US Duathlete of the Year Kristin Miller, who is now a star rower, was the top girl in '01; the statuesque-and-totally-lovely Anne Lee won in...

'02. The point is this: The Lakes Country Triathlon, in both of its incarnations, will be celebrating its 12th anniversary, not it's 10th, on Sunday.

LCT is a cool race, well attended and the annual finale of the popular Tri Minnesota Series. It has hosted some truly exciting racing, more of which can be expected this weekend.

Let's do some frivolous predicting.

We think that a pair of geographically separated buds will battle for the win. We're talking about Brett Lovaas (pronounced "Lah' vus," not "Love Ass") and Mike Waataja, whose name isn't as unpronounceable as it initially appears. In fact, the phonetic guess--"Wah-Ta-Jah"--is correct. Brett isn't tall, but he's very fast. He'll be going for his 26th career W in Baxter. Additionally, he has a great wife and 3-4 super kids. His swim-bike combo is lethal. Mike moved from The Cities to Chicago 4-5 years ago when he was a decent triathlete for a guy who was a tad on the portly side.

In the last 2-3 tri seasons, however, Mike has transformed himself, like "Ox" in the movie "Stripes," into a lean, mean fighting machine. His race results of late have been stellar, consistently landing him on the podium. Furthermore, Mike is one of the happiest and funniest and funnest-to-be-around guys in the whole world. His happy thing is due in large part to the fact that he is married to a girl who looks exactly like Anna Kournikova. No kidding (photo L). His reduction in size may have something to do with the fact that he has cut back on the brewskis.

We suspect that either Luke Nelson, who also has a cool wife, or St. Cloud State frosh Tyler Hecht, 19, who has very well-developed arms, or local stud horse Sean Kaneski will claim the final podium spot.

As for the girls, if course record holder Michelle Andres races, she will win. It's what she does. If she doesn't race--she's a tad focused on this Ironman Thing that only three weeks off--we suspect that 2009 LCT champ / 2012 Team USA member Christel Kippenhan will land on the Top Step. She should get a big push from St. Paul Olympic winner Julia Lyng, as well as Angel Hohenstein, who might still be a bit tired and sore after her 2nd place finish at the inaugural Duluth Half last Sunday, and former collegiate basketballer, Sara Sampsell-Jones and her similarly-talented twin, Sarah Hoffman.

We expect Jena Ogston, Sarah Foley, who won here in 2003, Sawra (pronounced "Suh-Rah'") Mauer, Jody Mullet, Junior star Jane Koch, 15, Shannon Haglin, who has 9-10 kids, and Deb Hess to fight over the remainder of the Top 10 spots. Should be exciting stuff.