ISSUE #11, June/July 2001 – While the younger collegians were readying themselves for their championships on Sunday, many took the spectator role for the morning to catch the half-IRONMAN distance pro race. Wildflower is hot, with roller hills for the bike and a technical run to cap off a hard non-drafting race. Colorado was heavily represented out there in the pro race to compliment its huge collegiate contingent from three universities. IRONMAN Canada winner Chuckie Veylupek, who has returned to Boulder after a few years in California, was there to show everyone that he was in top form after a hard and productive winter of training. Wes Hobson has been racing Olympic distance for the last 14 years but decided to try Wildflower after his old favorite spring race, St. Croix, changed to a half-IRONMAN this year. 1999 Collegiate National champions Teri Duthie and Nick Cady have been making steady improvements in their racing since turning pro last year. Four-time winner Cam Widoff was on the site to race, but pulled out before race day complaining of a lingering illness.
The race had a powerful field that included both IRONMAN and short course superstars. The Aussies dominated the day in the men’s race as Olympic distance athletes Chris McCormack and Craig Walton took first and second and last year’s winner Chris Legh took third. American mountain bike racer Steve Larson would then raise a lot of eyebrows by placing fourth over Chuckie and Wes, who came in fifth and sixth. The two had nearly identical swim and bike splits even though they didn’t see each other on the bike at all. Chuckie had the faster run, though, and put put about four minutes on Wes by the finish.
Wes Hobson at Wildflower Photo by Matt Eagan
Colorado Pros
Men
5. Chuck Veylupek 4:11:40
6. Wes Hobson 4:15:34
12. Nick Cady 4:23:04
19. Jared Berg 4:29:21
24. Alexander Durst 4:45:19
27. Neal Henderson 4:51:04
Kristen McFarland is an editor-at-large for Colorado Triathlete. As an athletic trainer and massage therapist, she works with professional triathletes in Boulder that have included both ITU and IRONMAN world champions.
