Race Previews

Lake Minnetonka Triathlon Turns 20!...

Wednesday, 12 June 2024 00:10

LAKE MINNETONKA PREVIEW - The 20th anniversary edition of this iconic event has once again sold out. Unlike last year, it will award top performances in five-year age groups and use a single out-and-bake bike course as opposed to 2023's two-loops....

And as always, the competitin, both overall and the AGs will be fierce. Expected to lead the way for the elite me is two-time MInnesoa Triathlete of the Year PRESTON YOUNGDAHL. Winner of eleven of the dozens MInnesota triathlons he has raced in since his return to his home state from Louisiana in 2021, Preston will be a heavy favorite. His victory last Sunday at Trinona certainly echos that assessment. He won the last two editions of this event by an average margin of victory of 2:08, which is hefty in a sprint distance race. We expect his MOV next Saturday to be at least. that large.

On paper, Youngdahl's stiffest local competition should come from 2021 Minnesota Rookie of the Year HENRY JESSEN, who is also a two-time Top 10 overall finisher at Nationals, and SPENCER SYVERTSON, at first-time LMT entrant whose best results have been in Sprint races. 

The women's frontrunners are HEATHER LENDWAY, who is four-for-four at LMT, and ELENA JASPER, formerly Hengel, a podium finisher here the last two years. Lendway's ankle is an issue, which could result in a closer race than usual between her and Jasper. Jasper has raced once already this season, setting a 70.3 personal best 4:47:40 at Chattanooga.

We expect the following triathletes to set the pace in their AGs: SEAN PICKLE (19U-M), BECKY YOUNGBERG (45-49W), THADDEUS INGERSOLL (50-54), JEFFREY WARSHAW (60-64M), JAN GUENTHER (65-69W), LUKE HARNED (70-74M).

LMT is a premier triathlon from a spctator standpoint. He hope to see and hear a huge crowd at Excelsior Commons on June 15.