Race Previews

2017 LMT Preview...

Wednesday, 14 June 2017 23:10

LAKE MINNETONKA TRIATHLON PREVIEW - This annual classic is celebrating its 14th anniversary next Saturday. General registration closed last week, but there still might be a one or two charity spots available.

We doubt that any state in America has as many outstanding triathlon venues as Minnesota, and Lake Minnetonka boasts one of the very best.

It's lovely venue on the shore of its namesake is not all that this event has to offer, though. Unique and abundant amenities, small town pride vibe and trophies the size of Shetland ponies that take two hands to lift are some of the other things. And what other race features both craft beer and rum?

LMT has a proud competitive history, so here are some of our predictions for next weekend's race:

- Defending champ CHRISTINA ROBERTS is our pick to win the women's competition, though she will be pushed hard by relentless sophomore triathlete, MAGGIE WEISS.

- ANGELA KIDD is our pick to round out the women's podium.

- JORDAN ROBY (photo) had a breakout season in 2016, starting with his podium finish at Lake Minnetonka. We're picking him to place 2nd on Saturday, one spot better than last year.

- BROOKS GROSSINGER has won this event five consecutive times, starting in 2012. He has this race totally dialed in, and we think that muscle memory will supplement his talent, and he will win for the 6th straight time.

- We're anxious to witness the battle for the 45-49W title. JODY QUESNELL, 49, is fit and ready to take on ANN SNUGGERUD, 49, who has three divisional wins at this race....

- We predict that past winners JAN GUENTHER, now 58, and TONY SCHILLER, now 59, will be the fastest over-50 athletes in their respective genders, AND will crack their gender's overall Top 10.

- We predict that LAURA SWARTZ, who has consistently excelled here, will NOT win the 50-54W division. This is because she was not on the registration list we looked at. If she is in the race, we totally think she's will her AG, and like Guenther, finish in the women's overall Top 10.

- We predict that the women's 60-64 and 65-69 course records will fall on Saturday. We're picking HELEN GUNTHER to rewrite the 60-64, and DEB ROBERTS to take down the 65-69.