Race Previews

Claire's Rust Buster...

Monday, 04 March 2013 00:10

(Very Cool Photo - Sometimes great athletes get dressed up and drink alcoholic beverages. Claire is looking real satiny and Dan and Devon are posing oddly. Devon especially.)

Clermont Draft Legal Challenge - For a pair of Minnesota elites, the 2013 tri season starts next weekend in Clermont, Florida. Two-time Minnesota Triathlete of the Year and runner-up for 2012 US Athlete of the Year, Dan Hedgecock is returning and hopes to significantly improve upon the 5th place finish he posted last year. Accompanying him will be 2011 Minnesota female TOY, Claire Bootsma, whose full first name is "Clarissa." Who knew?

Facing approximately 40 other girls in what's called the U25 Elite Development division, Claire, who will be making her "drafting" debut, will be coming into the race as a podium hopeful. Among those she'll face is defending champ Rachel Mann, a teenage soon-to-be-pro from Illinois. A terrific swimmer, she has yet to prove that she can ride with the faster women in non-drafting events. In a DL race, though, she will likely come of the bike with the leaders. Still, do not pick her to beat Claire next weekend....

We asked Boots, who enjoys hiking (photo below), some questions about her race readiness and some historical stuff. Here are her thoughtful, intelligent-person answers:

MTN - Do you feel fit and ready for the DL challenge?

Boots - I am definitely not at full fitness yet, but that's a good thing as it's a long season. I'm using this race as a rust buster pre St. Anthony's. I do feel ready to race, I'm itching to get back out there. I think a sprint is a good way to kick off the season and to remind my body what race-hurting feels like so it's not a shock to the system at St.A's.