Race Previews

Gaby & Sam...

Saturday, 20 April 2019 23:10

Though opening day of the 2019 Minnesota outdoor multisport season is a few weeks off (May 11), several of our state's athletes have opted not to wait. Instead, they have traveled to events in southern states, and some of those athletes have come away with victories, one of which was a national championship, and another was a major long distance contest:

- DAVID CARNEY won the HITS-Ocala 140.6 

- DIANE HANKEE won the Florida Challenge Half IM

- DANI VSETECKA won the Texas 70.3 in Galveston

- PATRICK PARISH won the Standard Distance Duathlon National Championship

It's possible that one or two more Minnesotans will turn in winning performances before our regional scene gets underway. GABY BUNTEN and SAMUEL HAUCK will be racing at the prestigious St. Anthony's Triathlon in St. Petersburg, Florida on April 28. The event is Olympic distance and Gaby has arguably been our country's most...

successful female amateur in 32-mile triathlons for the last two seasons. She is the reigning National Champion and placed 2nd / 1st American at Worlds last year.

She will be facing some formidable competition on the 28th, most notably Sarah McLarty, who dropped her pro license after the 2018 season. It should be noted that McLarty has concentrated on coaching over the last several seasons and has raced infrequently. Her results are not what they used to be.

Other women who will vy for top spots in St. Petersburg include Katie Corbin, two-time podium finisher here, fellow Floridians Megan Hebda and Tami Ritchie (former Iowa pro), Louisiana's Linzie Hebert and Rhode Islander Caroline Knowles.

Is Bunten our pick to win the women's amateur title? YES!

As for Hauck, we like the way he finished the 2018 season, where he clearly demonstrated the potential he exhibited circa 2008 before he went to medical school. Sam raced at St. A's in 2017, placing 7th against a stellar field (which included perennial USAT AOY nominees Kyle Hooker and Christopher Douglas). His comeback was in it's early stages then. Now he is ready to claim a podium spot, perhaps even the Top Step.

His toughest competition should come from Marcus Farris (Bend, OR), Jesse Cookson (Tampa, FL), Jeremy Richardson (Oldsmar, FL) and Benjamin Snodgrass (Portland, OR).