Race Previews

Podium-Bound Minnesotans...

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A few days ago we peeked at the registration list for the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 WISCONSIN in Madison. We almost wet ourselves. Though 2349 athletes are enrolled, we think there is an excellent chance that the women's podium will consist of two Minnesotans and a former Minnesotan who remains an honorary Land 'o 10,000 Laker....

 

We're talking about, in alpha order, DANI FISCHER, HANNA GRINAKER and DANI VSETECTA. Let's look at their credentials.

- DANI FISCHER - "Dimples" has the fastest half IM time of the three women mentioned here. In fact, she has the fastest PR of any woman in the race. That time - 4:23:37--was set in a victorious effort at the 2014 USAT Long Distance National

hanna_smile.pngChampionships. How'd she do in her last 70.3? She won it. (Pigman 2015 - 4:31:43) On paper, Fisch should be the one to beat on June 11.

FYI - Dani grew up in Rochester, played soccer at UW-Madison, remained in Wisconsin until 2015. She currently resides in Indianapolis.

- HANNA GRINAKER ( photo R) - In 2016, her rookie season, Hanna raced in two half IMs. She placed 2nd in her debut at Liberty (4:47:07), and 4th in her second effort at Superior Man (4:41:31).  If you know Hanna, you know that she has the potential to become the best female amateur triathlete in the US. Is there a sub-4:30 in her not-so-distant future? We think so.

- DANI VSETECKA - Third-year triathlete, Dani V is a phenom. Thus far she has raced in four halves, winning twice and placing 2nd in the other two. Her personal best is 4:34:56. She's tenacious and she reminds us of her elite training partner, Ruth Brennan Morrey, who is one of the best long distance triathletes in the world.

Other Minnesotans who we expect to rock socks in Madison are SEAN COOLEY, the four-time Superior Man champ, SHEENA DAUER, BETTINA KEPPERS and KELLI MORETTER-BUE (top photo). We're picking Cooley to podium in the men's race, and for Sheena, Bettina and Kelly to break five hours for the first time in their respective careers.

 

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