May 22, 2008

Race Preview: 2008 Ironman Brazil

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From Ironman.com…

Ironman Brazil: Battle in FlorianopolisThe 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.

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May 22, 2008

Race Preview: Madrid - BG Triathlon World Cup race #6

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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.

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May 22, 2008

Race Preview: 2008 Ironman Lanzarote

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from Ironman.com…

Ironman Lanzarote PreviewIt’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

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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 »

May 19, 2008

Amey and Cave Win at Ford Ironman 70.3 Florida

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from NASports…

Orlando, FL – The men’s and women’s titles both went to Great Britain today at the 2008 Ford Ironman 70.3 Florida held at Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida. Paul Amey took the men’s title and the women’s was won by Leanda Cave.

Amey, now based in the San Diego area, took the lead on the bike portion of the race and held off the field with a 1:17:18 half marathon time. This was Amey’s first win at the 70.3 distance with an overall time of 3:52:51. Brazilian Santiago Ascenco, who posted the second best run time on this course in 2007, finished in second in a time of 3:56:33. Third place was won by Spencer Smith of Palm Harbor, FL in 3:59:04.

The women’s race was dominated by Cave, Nina Kraft and Dede Griesbauer from the swim. Griesbauer led the race through the first two stages only to be overtaken on the run course by both Cave and Kraft. Cave finished in a time of 4:22:52 followed by Kraft in 4:24:15 and Griesbauer in 4:30:38. Lisa Bentley posted the second best run time of the day at 1:27:30 to move into fourth place, with last year’s winner Katja Schumacher rounding out the top five.

Top Ten Finishers

Men
1. Paul Amey, GBR 3:52:51
2. Santiago Ascenco, BRA 3:56:33
3. Spencer Smith, Palm Harbor, FL 3:59:04
4. Courtney Ogden, AUS 3:59:42
5. Kevin Lisska, Fletcher, NC 3:59:56
6. Bryan Rhodes, NZL 4:03:10
7. Brent Poulsen, CAN 4:05:18
8. Andrew Hodges, CAN 4:11:56
9. Brad Seng, Boulder, CO 4:17:30
10. Marcus Ornellas, BRA 4:18.45

Women
1. Leanda Cave, GBR 4:22:52
2. Nina Kraft, GER 4:24:15
3. Dede Griesbauer, Boston, MA 4:30:38
4. Lisa Bentley, CAN 4:31:47
5. Katja Schumacher, GER 4:34:45
6. Kim Loeffler, Colchester, VT 4:34:52
7. Heather Gollnick, Bradenton, FL 4:36:05
8. Sione Jongstra, NLD 4:43:53
9. Michelle Leblanc, Woodlands, TX 4:48:00
10. Teri Albertazzi, Tucson, AZ 4:49:02

Ford Ironman 70.3 Florida took place for the fifth time on Sunday, May 18th at Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida. Athletes were competing for a pro prize purse of $30,000 and 75 qualifying spots for the 2008 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 to be held in Clearwater, Florida. For more information, please log onto www.floridahalfironman.com

May 12, 2008

Race Results: Men’s 2008 Lisbon European Champs

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Frederic Belaubre, the champion from 2006 and 2005, led a French gold-silver sweep at today’s Lisbon ETU Triathlon European Championships. Tony Moulai took the silver while Swiss Olivier Marceau grabbed the bronze in an exciting photo finish. Surprisingly, defending champion Javier Gomez finished in seventh place, more than a minute and a half behind the champion Belaubre. Today’s race marked the first since the world championships in 2006 that Gomez failed to make the podium, an impressive streak that stretched 16 races.

Brit Richard Stannard was first out of the water with Belaubre and Stephane Poulat on his heels. Not far back was Gomez who was 14 seconds behind Stannard.

Out onto the flat 40-kilometer bike course, 47 men made up the lead group until Marceau broke off the front and held a 5-second lead after the first lap. After being joined by Slovak Pavel Simko, another five men broke away to join them by the end of lap three, which proved to be the turning point in the race. That group included a strong cycling trio from France with Belaubre, Moulai and Poulat. The lead pack of seven powered away from the field and created much needed separation from a host of great runners including Gomez, Czech Filip Ospaly, Brit Will Clarke and Ivan Rana of Spain.

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May 12, 2008

Race Results: Women’s 2008 Lisbon European Champs

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Portugal’s prodigious Vanessa Fernandes won a record-breaking fifth consecutive European Championship today, taking gold with a time of 2 hours, 5 minutes and 46 seconds. Italian veteran Nadia Cortassa took the silver, her fourth career medal at European championships. Swede Lisa Norden continued her breakthrough season, out-sprinting last year’s bronze medalist Nicola Spirig of Switzerland down the stretch for the bronze.

“It was a dream today. There were lots of people giving me strength,” said Fernandes at the finish line. “It is very important for me to show these people in Portugal what triathlon is. I can show Portugal what Portuguese athletes can do.”

Joelle Franzmann of Germany led the women out of the water with the day’s fastest swim. She left T1 with a 20-second lead over her chasers which included Magali Di marco of Switzerland and Eva Dollinger of Austria. Fernandes was a further two seconds back. But Franzmann’s solo ride on the flat 40-kilometer bike course did not last long as the chase pack quickly caught, forming a 13-woman lead group. Not far behind was cycling powerhouse Spirig who brought herself and four others up with the leaders.

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May 8, 2008

Race Results: 2008 St. Croix Ironman 70.3

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from InsideTriathlon…

Laid back. That’s how most first-time visitors to St. Croix Ironman 70.3 describe the atmosphere. However, once the gun went off promptly at 6:30 a.m., the nearly 40 professional triathletes racing for the $50,000 prize purse, were anything but laid back. But when all was said and done, the day was déjà vu all over again … 2006. Can you say, “Aussie, Aussie”?

THE MEN
Craig Alexander loves St. Croix. He had won here each of the past two years, as well as in 2003, and a victory today would tie him with legendary Mike Pigg at four victories apiece. He would succeed (Pigg, by the way, came to St. Croix to help celebrate the 20th Anniversary of this classic race, and he competed in and won the Sprint race earlier in the morning).

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May 8, 2008

Race Preview: 2008 Lisbon European Champs

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from Triathlon.org…

For the first time since 1999, the 24th edition of the ETU Triathlon European Championships head to Portugal to welcome Europe’s finest triathletes. With world class calibre fields comparable to most world cups, this Saturday’s event is one of the most coveted titles of the year. It will be the final ITU Continental Championship of 2008 and the men’s and women’s winner will earn their countries automatic spots at the Beijing Olympic Games. With such high stakes on the line, the best will be at the top of their games.

The home crowds will no doubt be vocal in its support of world champion Vanessa Fernandes, one of Portugal’s biggest sports stars who’s quickly becoming one of the greatest triathletes of all time. No woman has tasted European glory for the past four years as Fernandes won every year since 2004. In fact, every year she has taken the start line at an elite European championships, she has won gold. In 2003 Fernandes won the junior women’s title. This weekend she races for a record-breaking fifth consecutive European crown. Only the Netherlands’ Rob Barel has won four straight European titles from 1985 to 1988.

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May 4, 2008

Race Results: 2008 Women’s Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup

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from Triathlon.org…

Her previous world cup best was an eighth place finish in 2005 but none of that mattered as the elite women took to the start line in South Africa today. Carolyn Murray of Canada pulled off quite an upset, winning today’s Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup, the first world cup title of her career. Aussie Felicity Abram took the silver while last year’s silver medalist Magali Di Marco of Switzerland made the podium for the second straight year, holding on for bronze.

American Olympic hopeful Sarah Groff emerged from the water first and was up 22 seconds over the rest of the field. Riding alone on the 40-kilometer bike course, Groff had to work hard to build a 35-second lead. A large chase pack was in hot pursuit and cut the lead to just 13 seconds by the midway point of the bike segment. In the fourth lap, Groff was swallowed up by the chase group that included all the major pre-race favorites including German Ricarda Lisk, South African Mari Rabie, Nicky Samuels of New Zealand, Abram and Di Marco, the 2000 Olympic bronze medalist.

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