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August 19, 2008
Frodeno edges 3 others at finish line, claims gold in men’s triathlon
from the AP…
BEIJING (AP) — Jan Frodeno sprinted away from a chasing trio in the final meters Tuesday to win the gold medal in the Olympic men’s triathlon.
Favorite Javier Gomez was even with Frodeno, and so was 2004 silver medalist Bevan Docherty. Simon Whitfield, who won gold in 2000, was immediately behind.
“I just tried to focus and not read their names,” Frodeno said.
Whitfield, from Canada, pulled in front momentarily before being passed by Frodeno, who grimaced and yelled as he plowed through the finish line.
Frodeno’s final time was 1 hour, 48 minutes, 53.28 seconds in the grueling swim-cycle-run event. Whitfield finished 5.19 seconds behind and won silver. Docherty, of New Zealand, took the bronze.
“I knew the medal was safe, but I tried to get the gold. I kept thinking that this was the moment I’ve been dreaming of,” Frodeno said. “I could hear the other guys breathing, and I sprinted.”
August 18, 2008
Snowsill wins women’s olympic triathlon
from the AP….
BEIJING (AP) — With the finish line a few yards away, Emma Snowsill had time to grab a flag, slow down and wave.
She was all alone in front, and Australia was finally going to win Olympic gold in triathlon.
“We came so close in Sydney and Athens,” Snowsill said. “To come from a nation that’s so strong, like Australia, in terms of triathlon, it’s a fantastic feeling to finally bring home the gold medal.”
Snowsill finished more than a minute ahead of the field in the swim-cycle-run event Monday. Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal won the silver, and Emma Moffatt of Australia took the bronze.
Snowsill pulled away toward the beginning of the final leg, a 10-kilometer run she completed in 33 minutes, 17 seconds. Her overall time was 1:58:27.66.
“There’s nothing like running scared,” said Snowsill, whose run was more than a minute faster than everyone else’s. “I had to make sure I didn’t leave anything out on that field. I put every ounce of energy into this.”
August 14, 2008
Is Triathlon the New Golf ?
from amateurendurance.com
August 11, 2008 by Brian
Anthony Barton used to head out to the golf course when he wanted to get face time with clients; now he finds himself on a 50 mile bike ride. “It is just so much easier to talk business out here on the road” says Barton, owner of Perfect Polish, a firm specializing in maintaining restaurant kitchens and dining rooms, “I never knew how many of my customers are doing triathlons.”
Barton is just one of a booming number of business owners foregoing a day at the golf course in favor of a swim, run or bike ride with their clients. According to USA Triathlon (USAT), the official governing body of the sport in this country, that level is high and getting higher. First and foremost, participation is increasing at a steady pace. In 1994, 49,083 single event permits were issued; in 2004 USAT issued 177,040. These are the permits that anyone must purchase if they are not a member but they want to participate in any USAT sanctioned race, which 99.9% of races are. Membership, meanwhile, is on the rise as well. In 1994 USAT boasted 15,194 members in its ranks; in 2004 that number had more than tripled to 53,254. These are the numbers that get the attention of sponsors and race directors. Some other numbers that hook the sponsors - 40% of USAT members fall into the 30-39 age group, a highly influential demographic when it comes to purchasing decisions.
By comparison, the average age of what the PGA defines as an ‘avid’ golfer, one who plays at least 18 holes per week, is 56.3 years old. 37% of golf fans who attended a tournament last year are 55 or older. America may be graying, but their hobbies are not.
August 14, 2008
Ironman adopts “Age Up” rule
New rule will provide “international consistency”
Published Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Ironman will adopt the “age up” rule starting in 2009 to establish consistency among Ironman events around the globe, according to Ironman officials.
Starting in 2009, the Ford Ironman World Championship and all qualifying events will implement both the International Triathlon Federation and USA Triathlon’s Age Group Competition rule, which states that “All age group athletes must participate and compete in the age group division corresponding to the athlete’s age on December 31 of the year of the event.”
“We are adopting the rule to provide consistency internationally,” says Ben Fertic, the president of Ironman. “Our adoption of the ITU’s “Age Up” rule will establish a common thread and consistency among Ironman events around the globe.”
The adoption of the rule will also ensure that athletes will compete in the same age category throughout any given race year.
August 13, 2008
Olympics triathlon schedule (NBC)
August 19 10 AM EST - Men’s
August 18 10 AM EST - Women’s
Check local listings….
August 13, 2008
Another Armstrong wins cycling gold
BEIJING (Reuters) - No, she’s not related to Lance Armstrong. But Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong is proud to share some traits with the seven-time Tour de France winner, whom she describes a wonderful role model.
“I get that question quite a bit — if Lance and I are related,” Armstrong said after beating Briton Emma Pooley and Karin Thurig of Switzerland to win the women’s 23.5-km time trial at the Great Wall of China.
“The answer’s no, but I feel like we have a lot of similarities. We both come from a triathlon background; we both have the same mentality.”
Armstrong placed eighth in the road race in Athens, then in 2006 became only the third American in history to win a world championship in the women’s time trial.
Before she started cycling competitively Armstrong was a swimmer and triathlete, competing in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii in 1999.
She was diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the hips and told to stop doing high-impact sports like running. She began cycling as therapy for her condition then started competing.
“The sport of cycling in America isn’t huge. I think that the audience is every four years at the Olympics or when Lance Armstrong is winning the Tour.
“So I hope that winning the gold medal will bring the fans out more than just one day every four years.”
May 22, 2008
Race Preview: 2008 Ironman Brazil
From Ironman.com…
The 2008 Ironman Brazil will take place this Sunday on the island of Florianopolis in the State of Santa Catarina. Located in southern Brazil, Florianopolis is a destination spot for many South American’s. The island is known as “Floripa” to those who visit the area often. Brazilians and Argentines love to vacation in Florianopolis not only for its beaches but also for its culture, history, food, nightlife, and well protected diverse ecosystems.
The area has a steep history dating back to the 1500’s when the Spaniards inhabited the land. Eventually the Portuguese would assume control in the mid 1600’s which has resulted in Portuguese now being the native language of the country. On May 25th, another power struggle will occur on the Island, however this time it will be for the titles of Ironman Brazil Champion. The region’s history and landscape make for a perfect back-drop for an Ironman.
The battle grounds; the transition, finish-line, expo and race headquarters are located at the Doze de Agosto Club at the north western tip of Florianopolis Island. The clubs focal point is a covered soccer field which also doubles for the location of the carbo and awards dinners. Last year’s carbo dinner and festival featured a little taste of Rio de Janeiro with carnival dancers and bands entertaining the competitors.
May 22, 2008
Race Preview: Madrid - BG Triathlon World Cup race #6
from Triathlon.org…
ITU celebrates a major anniversary this weekend at the Madrid BG Triathlon World Cup as the event is the 200th world cup in ITU history. Since humble beginnings in 1991, the world cup series has come a long way with more prize money, much more competitive fields and high stakes that include coveted Olympic qualifying points.
This Sunday the world’s best flock to Madrid for the sixth straight year to challenge the tough course, a favorite for many triathletes including Vanessa Fernandes. The world champion has made the Madrid course her personal playground for the past half decade, winning every year since 2003. It will be a tall order for the other women to break the Fernandes stranglehold on the event. New Zealand’s Andrea Hewitt has performed well on the Madrid course and has been runner-up to Fernandes for the past two years. Swede Lisa Norden is enjoying a career year, already with a pair of world cup podiums and a bronze at the European championships.
Adding to the lustre of the event is Olympic qualifying spots at stake for both the German and British teams. For the Germans, just one spot remains and it will be a fierce battle between Joelle Franzmann and Christiane Pilz. Whoever cross the line first can book her ticket to Beijing. Franzmann is seeking her third trip to the Olympics while Pilz is racing for her first Olympic berth. In 2004 she was forced to miss the Games after sustaining an injury shortly before the opening ceremonies.
May 22, 2008
Race Preview: 2008 Ironman Lanzarote
from Ironman.com…
It’s that time again when Ironman racing all of a sudden gets really serious. Not, of course, that undertaking an Ironman could ever be described as ordinary, or trivial, or even mundane. But, just like there are races which have a reasonably level playing field and you know what you’re getting into, some races don’t. Ironman Lanzarote is definitely one of those.
Described by the organizers as the ‘toughest Ironman in the world’ (and not without some considerable justification) it is seen by many as a rite of passage. The event is seen as a true test as the athlete takes on the environment and the elements. Ironman Lanzarote sends its competitors out into the unforgiving and relentless hills of this volcanic lump nestling up to the coast of North Africa for a single 112-mile loop. Then fries them with a four-lap, out-and-back coastal run which has seen roadside temperatures top 30 degrees Celsius.
Here the winds blow hard, the sun is relentless and the hills just have to be seen to be believed. Despite all that, Ironman Lanzarote, now in its 17th year, has filled to capacity. It seems, that making races tougher is no longer a barrier to entry.
The pro athletes returning for this year’s race represent an interesting cross-section; those that have consistently raced well here and those that are giving it a shot to see what happens. The men’s field is absent any of last year’s top three. The top seed is Ain-Alar Juhanson (EST), who won here in both 2005 and 2006. He’ll not have an easy job though because any of half a dozen others could, given the fickle conditions, have a better day. Bert Jammaer (BEL) placed fourth here last year and recorded a 12th place in Hawaii, Gregorio Cáceres Morales (ESP) was sixth here last year as an age grouper and has now turned pro.
While those three represent the obvious candidates for a podium, there are others in the field who could sneak in a great result: Dirk Van Gossum (BEL) won here back in 2000 and has two other top five results on the course. Alex Taubert (GER) has an impressive sheet of top ten finishes, but none of them here, and last year’s 12th placed finisher was age grouper Rafael Wyss (SUI) who has now also turned pro.
For the women the field is tighter, but no less interesting. Virginia Berasategui (ESP) won here on 2004 and 2005. Tara Norton (CAN) was second in last year’s race and previously finished in fourth in 2006. Heleen bij de Vaate (NED) can’t be ruled out, she was 3rd here in 2006 and has a hatfull of top five places in the last couple of years including seconds at both Ford Ironman Florida and Almere last year. Ulrike Schwalbe (GER) has placed fourth here, while Bella Comerford (GBR), fresh off her win in South Africa last month, has gone one better with a third place here.
In 2007 we watched the first blind athletes compete here in Lanzarote. In 2008 we have two wheelchair athletes tackling the course. Anyone who has ever ridden up either of the Mirador climbs will be well aware of the magnitude of the task that faces them.
May 20, 2008
Race Results: 2008 Columbia Tri
from Triathlete.com…
May 19, 2008 — This is how to celebrate a triathlon’s silver anniversary. Get the a legendary race director to assemble world champions on a brutal course with super-competitive age groupers and add about ten thousand supporters and spectators. All done with courageous competition and superb sportsmanship at Columbia Tri’s 25th Anniversay. Truly a great day in race director Rob Vigorito’s neighborhood.
Names like McCormack, Lieto, Ficker, and Lovato backed up many returning age group champions to set the scene for success without revealing the climax. Kind of like Indiana Jones with random action scenes. We knew something big was gonna happen, but were not quite sure what or who would do the deed.
Compact groups of pros ran up from the Lake Centennial swim finish for tidy transitions to the 41 K bike course. They quickly vanished up the road as follow-up waves of triathletes thrashed into the transition area in the pro’s wake for their race. American Chris Lieto powered the lead group up the road, pursued by Aussie Chris McCormack and the rest of the elite posse. The race was on by the first turn and tactics were shaping up for a likely showdown on the challenging 10K run. No surprises there, but this is triathlon and surprises are always out there. Unfortunately, it came when a bad corner direction sent McCormack and the first chase group off course. We’ve all been there and as McCormack said, “These things happen.” Read More
