Race Previews

Minnesotans Set to Rock Du Nats...

Monday, 01 June 2015 00:10

DU NATIONALS (STANDARD DISTANCE) PREVIEW - 2014 USAT Duathlete of the Year Honorable Mention Diane Hankee (photo) was one of the favorites going into April 23rd's Apple Duathlon, but an injury forced her to limp in in 13th place. Concerned that whatever was making her gimpy in Sartell would not be healed before Du Nationals on June 6, we emailed her to find out what the deal was.

Thanks for checking in. I have given it--achilles strain--the attention it needs, Kevin a Gearwest has been awesome helping with my bike fit to reduce the strain. Training has been awesome and I'm where I need to be. Going into Apple I was not "there" and did a few things wrong. I have had to be patient with my schedule to peak for Nationals which has been extremly hard with wanting to race a lot as I typically do. Things are lining up- I have fire in my belly, I am not burned out, and excited to race the new course!

It's fun to read Diane's stream-of-consciousnessy comments, isn't it?...

It's good to know that Hankee will be good-to-go at Nationals, and like Apple, she will be a podium favorite. Last year she placed 4th (1st MN) overall. This year, two of the three women who finished in front of her in 2014 will not be racing. So, Diane's biggest challenge will come from last year's winner Kirsten Sass of McKenzie, Tennessee, and, Apple champ Elaine Nelson, in the event that she was a late registrant.

After Apple, Suzie Fox suggested that Apple's women's field, i.e. top 10-15 women, was probably deeper than the one that will toe the line in St. Paul on June 6. She may be right. Still, we suspect that at least half of the women's top 10 will be Home Teamers. (Three Minnesota women cracked the Top 10 in '14; six placed in the Top 15.)

As for the men's race, we suspect that two of the Top 3 guys from last year will return to the podium. The top step should once again go to 2014 US DOY, Matthew Payne of Columbia Heights. The silver medal step should go to New Jersey's Dave Slavinski, who has been America's most decorated amateur duathlete since taking up the multisport lifestyle back in 2008. FYI, Dave's a great guy.

In '14, Nebraska's Thomas Woods grabbed the 3rd podium step. We think Tom will finish a little further back this time around, with guys like Jeff Wilson (OH) and our state's Nate Hoffman and Brian Sames battling over places three through five.

In 2014, seventeen Minnesotans collected AG medals. We think the number of local medalists will be slightly higher this time around.

Participant registration closed last Friday. Bummer. However, the event can always use more volunteers. VOLUNTEER INFO

UPDATE: We have learned that Elaine Nelson will not be racing at Du Nationals. She is scheduled to race the following day at Buffalo.

Photos by YndeCam.