Race Previews
The Usual Suspects...Not Necessarily...UPDATED....
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Sunday, 28 May 2017 09:10
BUFFALO PREVIEW II - Last week we posted a general preview of this race. Today, we are looking at the fields so that we can make some predictions. Let's start with the Sprint race....
The Top Three women from 2016 are returning, and we are reluctant to predict a different podium. What we will say is that the separation between 1st and 2nd will be MUCH closer this year. 2016 runner-up BETTINA KEPPERS had her best season ever last year and we think she'll give defending champ CHERYL ZITUR, three-time Minnesota Master of the Year, a great race. FYI, the conversation about the Most improved award last year included Keppers.
LAURA SWARTZ should, once again, fill out the women's podium. She won this race in 2015 (and 2008, too).
A possible challenger for one of the Top 3 spots is BETTE ROWLEY.
The men's sprint is much harder to figure out, as no recent champions were on the list we viewed. We like it when this happens.
Based on the our list, we think that MITCH BREKKE, LANCE LEO and MARK STORHAUG will duke it out for the Top 3 spots. Our pick to win is Leo, though Brekke appears ready to have a breakout race.
UPDATE: Defending sprint champ ANDY WIBERG has registered. He's coming off a 3rd place finish at Gear West. Yes, he is our pick to win on Sunday.
Now for the Olympic race. Once again the "usual suspects" should set the tone in both the men's and women's contests. Let's start with the women, in alpha order.
SHEENA DAUER - Though 7th in 2016 and 2015, Sheena is nevertheless capable of upsetting those who may be ranked ahead of her. She had done that twice at Apple in recent years.
KORTNEY HAAG - Kort owns the women's CR (2:10:08), set in a victorious effort last year. She was 2nd in 2015.
ELAINE NELSON - The Duluthian won here in 2015 and 2014.
CHRISTINA ROBERTS (photo R) - Ms. Roberts placed 3rd here the last two years.
UPDATE: We just learned that MAGGIE WEISS has registered. Runner-up for Rookie of the Year in 2016, Maggie was 4th among a stellar field at Gear West a few weeks back. A podium spot at Buff is not out of the question.
If the weather complies, we believe the pace will be fast up front, so we are picking the person who we believe is most capable of breaking 2:11 right now. For us, that person is Christina Roberts.
In 2016 the Top 4 men, in order, were: MATTHEW PAYNE, SEAN COOLEY, WADE CRUSER and JOSH BLANKENHEIM. We could certainly see a repeat of that next Sunday.
Will we, though?
Payne is a four-time Minnesota Triathlete of the Year, which is unprecedented in the nineteen years that the MMAs have existed. He also has the course record at Buffalo, a 1:54:15, and last year he won by a 2:46 margin. He's 40 now, but that doesn't mean a dang thing. We won't bet against Payne until he demonstrates some fallibility.
Next, we truly believe that 2017 will be Wade Cruser's year. He's already got two wins under his belt this season and he's faster than ever. He could win, but we are picking him to place 2nd next weekend, with LL-Cooley-J and Grosse Pointe Blank taking thirdsies and forthsies, respectively.
Remember everyone, registration closes tomorrow night. Don't miss your chance to participate in this outstanding event.
ED. The Buffalo Tri will feature an awesome on-site Expo. These are some of the vendors: Tri Fitness, Life Time Fitness, Healthsource Chiropractic, Lake Minnetonka Triathlon, Hopkins Royal Triathlon, Graniteman Clearwater & Graniteman Big Lake.
