Issue #12, August/September 2001
ColoradoTriathlete.com
Half Vineman
Cam Widoff couldn’t stop the rising mountain biker-turned-triathlete Steve Larsen at the 11th Half-Vineman in California on July 8th, but turned in a great 1:10:24 half-marathon for second place (3:57:45), four minutes clear of 3rd place Chris Legh of Australia.
Boulder’s tri couple Teri Duthie and Nicholas Cady had excellent performances with a 4th (4:39:31) and 5th (4:07:23) respectively. Cady even beat Boulder’s Dave Scott, who had a very frustrating time changing a tire out on the course as he watched competitors go by. Scott will be returning to Kona for the first time since ’96. It was good for him to get a race in, but surely disappointing for him to finish 8th.
Cornerbrook
Not missing a beat after winning World Championships (see interview), Siri Lindley took her sixth ITU World Cup win (2:03:16) in a year at Cornerbrook on July 29th. One of the most loved races of all, the small and friendly town in Newfoundland hosts a big weekend of races capped off by the World Cup on a very challenging course. The half-million dollar budget festival weekend started in 1982 and has been a designated World Cup four times. Susan Williams, formerly Bartholomew, of Littleton, chose the race as one of her first forays back into elite racing after her first child, Sydney, was born last winter. She is clearly back in form recording an eighth place finish in a world class field that included the likes of Harrop, Montgomery, and Lindquist.
Rock and Roll Triathlon
Wes Hobson and Tony DeBoom headed out to Cleveland, the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for a good $15,000 purse Olympic distance race put on by Pacific Sports. The race had been the U.S. pro championships and an ITU race before, and with its long established reputation drew 1,380 age groupers. Wes led the bike, but Tony was not too far behind him. The two ran together for a loop, but were passed by Australian Marc Lees. Tony had a faster run than Wes by two minutes and took second behind Lees (Tony – 1:40:06). Wes was overtaken by Alec Rukosuev at the end, pushing him to fourth (1:50:01).
Carlsbad Triathlon
This short race is longer than a sprint distance but shorter than Olympic distance, consisting of a 1 kilometer swim, a 25 kilometer bike, and a 5 kilometer run. The twenty-year-old race drew a powerful elite field with a good purse and great perks for the pros. Nicole and Tim DeBoom decided to go out for some ‘in-race speed work’. Nicole was ecstatic to finish second behind Olympic silver medallist Michellie Jones with a 1:11:41, and Tim took fifth in 1:06:06.
Happy Birthday Inside Triathlon
Inside Triathlon, one of the two national triathlon magazines has turned fifteen years old. Started in 1986 by dedicated triathlete and coach Lew Kidder, it was originally called Triathlon Today. Seven years later Boulder’s Inside Communications, publisher of Velo News, bought it, brought it to Colorado, and changed its name. Last year the publication switched to a standard glossy magazine from its tabloid-sized newsprint format and subsequently became the fastest growing sports magazine in the country.
Tinman Triathlon
This year’s Tinman in Shreveport, Louisiana was also an ITU International points race and the U.S. pro qualifier for the world championships in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Olympian Jennifer Gutierrez of Greenwood Village came out of the water with the lead women and stayed with the first pack throughout the bike. She managed a fourth overall with a 2:01:25. Boulder’s Teri Duthie was 12th in 2:14:53. Siri Lindley (Boulder) had to drop out during the run, not able to push through a foot injury she had coming into the race.
In the men’s race Boulder’s Paul Fritzsche and Andy Johnson, who both have just recently started competing in ITU events, finished 16th (1:54:05) and 18th (1:54:25). Veteran ITU racer Abe Rogers, now of Boulder also, placed 22nd (1:56:58). Jimmy Archer was at the tail end of the elite division, finishing 48th (2:12:57).
Newman Retires from Pro Racing
Jill Newman (Colorado Springs) has returned to the career she gave up during her years of racing as a member of the U.S. National Triathlon Team. She also served as an elite athlete rep on the USA Triathlon Board of Directors. After representing the U.S. in ITU races all over the globe, she is now practicing corporate and sports law. Her firm, Holme, Roberts, and Owen, represents the U.S. national governing bodies of numerous sports. She and her husband Dane, originally of New Zealand, had their first child, a boy, on June 20th.
Escape from Alcatraz 2001
Wes Hobson was the top American finisher at the Lamasil AT Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. After winning the race in 1999 he was disappointed with his result, but this year’s race was heavily stacked with international superstars including Olympians and Olympic medal winners.
“I did have a decent bike and run,” he said, “which gives me confidence for the rest of the season.”
The title sponsor of the race is also one of Wes’s sponsors, and the Tuesday following the race he was tapped to promote the race’s television broadcast the next weekend. He was interviewed by 22 radio stations over five hours. Then on Wednesday flew to Boston to do television interviews with quarterback and fellow Alcatraz participant Doug Flutie.
