Race Previews

2021 LAKE MINNETONKA PREVIEW...

Tuesday, 15 June 2021 00:10

17th LAKE MINNETONKA TRIATHLON - Registration for this annual classic closed almost three weeks ago. As usual, the LMT's enrollment ceiling (500 entrants) was reached early. And while it's too late to enter, we encourage folks to either spectate or volunteer. 

Weather.com's prediction for the Excelsior area on race morning (June 19) is for partly cloudy skies, and not nearly as warm and windy as it was at Buffalo, the 2021 tri season kick-off. Temps should be in the mid 70s at race time with low humidity - 41% - and light winds - 5-10 mph.

Great competition is expected. Here are some predictions:

Overall Men: Podium Picks

1. JOSH MORK - Though he claims to be a bit out-of-shape, Josh is still our pick to win. He's thrived on this course the last two times he's raced here, placing 2nd on both occasions behind former pro Patrick Parish, who is not enrolled this year.

2. KYLE SWENSON - The 19-year-old former Junior of the Year (2019) is ready to bark with the Big Dogs, as his win at Sarasota Sprint last January attests. His three podium finishes before that were harbingers of victories to come....

3. BRETT LOVAAS (top photo) - Brett had won this race  four times had racked up five other podium finishes. At 46, we think he still has another podium in him. 

Women:

1. HEATHER LENDWAY - Duh. Heather had raced here twice, winning each times and setting what appears to be an untouchable course record (1:04:53 in 2014). Granted, she is coming off a four-year layoff, but she's still our pick to win by a hefty margin.

2. MOLLY WOODFORD (photo R) - The Wisconsin transplant has a stellar resume, though like Lendway, has been off the tri-grid for a while. Her recent 2nd place  finish at Pigman Sprint, however, suggests that she'll be rust-free and ready to rock on Saturday.

3. MAGGIE SWANSON - Runner-up to national talent Hanna Grinaker in 2016 for the Rookie of the Year honor, Maggie has shown star aptitude. She raced here in 2017, placing 2nd to three-time LMT winner Christina Roberts. Like Parish, Roberts will not be in Saturday's lineup.

Pushing this talented trio will be OLIVIA MELHORN, a two-time Top 5 finisher here, perennial Master of the Year nominee ANDREA MYERS, 2020 Junior of the Year MACY IYER, and BETTE ROWLEY, who enjoyed a stellar season in 2020.

As for the Age Groups, here are some picks: 

00-19 - KYLE SWENSON & MACY IYER

45-49 - BRETT LOVAAS & JILL ELLENBECKER

60-64 - TONY SCHILLER & JAN GUENTHER

65-69M - LUKE HARNED & MEGAN WEBSTER