Race Previews

Bigger and Better...

Thursday, 25 August 2022 00:10

4WOMEN TRIATHLONPREVIEW - The second edition of this women-only sprint triathlon will happen next Sunday (Aug. 28), but not at Lake Ann in Chanhassen as originally advertised. Venue unavailability  has led to relocation to Shady Oak Beach in Minnetonka. Though its swim is a bit shorter than the Hopkins Royal Triathlon, the courses will be basically identical to the perennial Race of the Year nominee. (The HRT won the ROY award in 2015 and 2018.)...

And like the 2021 HRT, this year's 4Women could feature the same TOP 3, that is, CATHERINE LEE, ANDREA MYERS and BETTE ROWLEY. Lee's margin of victory over Myers at Hopkins was only eight seconds, and 57-seconds faster than Rowley. All three women have an impressive performance-or-two under their respective belts this season demonstrating that there is not a clear favorite among this trio. However, the fact that a bee attack dashed Lee's  possible victory (and finish!) at the inaugural 4Women could be motivating.

Four of the five women who finished in the Top 7 last year will be back. It will not be easy for KRISTEN NORDBERG, 3rd here in 2021 and who looked strong at Tri West last month, to return to the Top 5, even if she is faster this time around. She beat 4th-placing WHITNEY MOORE by a minute in '21, but Whitney is coming  off her first career tri win at soggy Big Lake. She is faster than last season, and more confidend and motivated.

Then there's CLEO HARRIS, who was 5th at both 4Women and Hopkins last year. She has only raced once in 2022, and her result did not reflect her capabilities. That could be motivating.

Sixth in 2021, LESLIE SEDLAK is also a returnee. Based on their respective times and places  last year, Leslie and Cleo appear to be evenly matched. We're anxious to see how that match-up shakes out.

A newcomers to the race who clould claim a spot in the Top 10, perhaps even the Top 5, is tri veteran MATA AGRE,  a  three-time Northwoods winner.

The race that's unfolding promises to be exciting and fun for all, and a wonderful prelude to the Hopkins Royal Triathlon, the 8th edition of which is the following weekend (September 3).

4Women had 106 finishers in 2021, a number that should be doubled this year. Hopefully, Cookie Cart will be back with yummy monogrammed snacks (Top Photo).