Race Previews

2024 Clearwater Preview...

Wednesday, 19 June 2024 00:10

GRANITEMAN CLEARWATER PREVIEW - The original Graniteman Triathlon was launched 21-years ago in a bucolic venue southwest of St. Cloud, where it lasted six years. Then in relocated to Warner Lake Park near Clearwater where it hopes to remain in perpetuity. It's cool venue with a terrific swim course that crosses Warner Lake. The bike portions on both the Sprint and Olympic races are significantly longer than standard, e.g. 14.3, not 12.4 in the Sprint, and 28:66, not 24.8 in the Olympic. Minnesotans love bike-heavy races.

Since the purpose of this post is to preview the competition, let's share what we think based on the list of those we know are racing. If additional competitive racers sign up after this posts, we will update.

Who's racing this Saturday? Here, in alpha order, are some of the people we expect to excel: ...

MATA AGRE (Olympic) - She's placed as high as 4th overall woman here in the past. We expect her to at leasy match that. Her runner-up effort at Apple Tri last month tells us she's ready to rock.

NOAH BILLINGS (Olympic) - The two-time MInnesota Junior of the Year will make his Olympic distance debut on Saturday. We think he'll rock!

TIM BROWN, 65 (Olympic) - Tim's a two-time Minnesota Grand Master of the Year. We expect him to set an AG record this weekend.

BROOKS GROSSINGER (Sprint) - He won this race last year and there's no reason he shouldn't repeat. If he does, it will be at least career multisport victory number 42.

CHUCK HENGEL, 60 (Olympic) - He won his AG last Saturday at Lake Minnetonka. He should do so again on Saturday.

LISA HINES, 61 (?) - Current favorite to win her AG.

ELENA JASPER (?) - We don't know what distance she will be racing, but whichever it is, she is favored to win. She's comining off a big W at Lake Minnetonka.

BRANDON LEE (Sprint) - Brandon will give Brooks a great battle on Saturday.

MERILEA OSTERLUND (OLYMPIC) - If Jasper chooses to do the Sprint, Merilee becomes our pick to win or take 2nd in the Olympic.

BETTE ROWLEY (Sprint) - We see another podium performance for Bette, who earned a Most Improved nomination in 2023.

MARK STORHAUG (Sprint) - A two-time winner here, Brian will have to battle with Brooks and Brandon for a podium step on Saturday.

BRIDGET TETMEYER (Olympic) - If Elena choses the Sprint, Bridget could collect her first career win in the Olympic. She would have a great battle with Merilee for the top spot. Bridget placed 2nd in this race last year.

AMY WOOLSEY, 58 (Olympic) - Amy appears ready to have a Grand Master of the Year-nomination season. We think she will finish in the Top 5 on Saturday.

CHERYL ZITUR, 59 (Sprint) - This remarkable athlete is our pick to win the Sprint if Elena Jasper opts to race in the Olympic.