Race Previews

Porking Out in Iowa...

Monday, 26 May 2014 06:10

PIGMAN SPRINT PREVIEW - HIstorically, Minnesotans have comprised a relatively small percentage--less than 10%--of Little Pig's annual enrollment, yet elite Loon Staters have dominated in the overall results. Since the turn of the century, Minnesota men have won 10 of the 13 editions of this event, which richly deserves its reputation at Iowa's premier sprint tri. The three events that weren't won by Minnesotans, were won by professionals, i.e. Dan Bretscher (IN, now of IA) in 2009, TJ Tollakson (IA) in 2007, and Will Smith (WI/NZL) in 2003. The top male amateurs in each of those races were from our side of the border: Brian Bich in 2008 and 2003, Kevin O'Connor in '09.

It should be noted that St. Paul athletes own the men's overall records: David Thompson set the pro record (1:00:57) in 2012, and Dan Hedgecock's amateur mark (1:01:56) was set in 2011. (Prior to the millennial change, Medina's Kevin O'Connor was the amateur CR holder. His time was approximately 20-seconds faster than Hedge's.) And FYI, the men's masters record is owned by Duluth's Brian Bich (1:02:33).....

As for the women, six of the 13 winners since 2001 have been Minnesotans. Apple Valley's Cathy Yndestad has won three (2007, 2008, 2009) of those races, and Claire Bootsma of St. Paul, owns the CR, a 1:08:38, set in 2012. The other Minnesota champs are Wendy Peterson (2003) and Becky Youngberg (2001). The women's master's standard was established by Proctor's Jeannie Fleck in 2009.

2014 PREDICTIONS: David Thompson will win the men's title for the 4th time. Thanks to the relentless challenge of two-time winner Dan Hedgeock, 2010 champ Devon Palmer, and Iowa's Daniel Bretscher, who won in 2009 and was named USAT AOY back in 2007, we think that DKT will need a course record to do it.

We think the women's CR will be demolished by St. Paul's Heather Lendway. We're predicting a 1:06-and-change. That kind of effort will win her the Equalizer Challenge and the $1300 that goes with it.

Yes, she's that good.

Former CR holder Claire Bootsma is our choice to place 2nd.

Pigman Sprint XXII is full, but you can still might be able to get on the event's WAITING LIST.