Race Previews

G-Man Series Finale Stuff...Updated...

Tuesday, 05 August 2014 00:10

4th Annual GRANITEMAN BIG LAKE - Despite the fact that it shares the weekend with three other popular Minnesota tris, and that an unprecedented number of our state's swim-bike-runners will be in Milwaukee for the USAT National Championships, Saturday's Big Lake Triathlon has managed to draw more than 400 entrants already, a number that should top out on the other side of 450 when registration closes.

This event is the third and final race of the Graniteman Tri Series and we believe that the Series titles will go to Larry Hosch and Brenna Zavadsky. Hosch, who won the Series as a rookie last year, appears to be a slam dunk to repeat, barring any mechanical problems, that is. Zavadsky is currently in 3rd place in the women's standings but the women who are ranked ahead of her, the Danielson sisters Greta and Paige, will probably be in Milwaukee next weekend. If that is the case, then Brenna needs only a solid performance to ascend to the #1 spot.

Hosch's resume is rampant with podium finishes, yet he has yet to record his first overall victory. That could change on Saturday, but he'll have to outrace Steve Sander (photo L) to make it happen. These guys have never faced each other...

and we're anxious to see what happens. For Steve to win, he will need at least a one-minute lead when he arrives in T2.

Easier said than done.

The women's race promises to be a tight one. We think that Rebecca Cota, Lisa Wacek, Jody Mullet, Sarah Foley and Brenna Zavadsky will duke-it-out for podium spots. On paper, Cota seems to be the prohibitive favorite to win. Mullet is a wild card and will need her best race to crack the Top 3. Foley is coming off a win at Lakefront Days and will be motivated and confident.

Then there's Wacek (photo R). Her 5th place finishes against great competition at Chisago Sprint and Capitol City tells us that she's faster than last year, when she placed 3rd at Big Lake. She's our pick to record her first career win on Saturday.

Please check Big Lake's website for info and to see if registration is still open. LINK

ED. We just received this e-mail from Larry Hosch:

Hi MTN Guys-

Hope all is well, it seems like it's been awhile. I saw today's race previews and wanted to let you 
know I will not be racing Big Lake this weekend. I think I'm registered as I received entry to all 
their races for winning the series last year.  I'm a little bummed I'll be missing Big Lake and 
Green Lake which was one of my favs last year (any race where I can get a beer afterwards is a fav). 
I decided to race AG Nationals this weekend instead so I will be in Milwaukee. I was debating doing 
both races but it became too spendy to do so. I do plan to race Maple Grove Oly and Square Lake 
Half this year still and maybe One Last Tri.

Thanks,

Larry