This weekend USA Triathlon celebrated the second class of its Hall of Fame at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. A fine time was had by all as the incomparable 8-time Ironman Hawaii champion Paula Newby-Fraser and former ITU World Number One Barb Lindquist, plus pioneer USTS race organizers Carl Thomas and Jim Curl and legendary Ironman Hawaii race director Valerie Silk were inducted. While Silk, who was universally regarded as the gracious angel who took over guardianship of the Ironman from John and Judy Collins, is caring for her ailing parents in Florida and could not make it, Ironman announcer Mike Reilly gave Silk a stirring tribute. Notables included Mark Allen, who was in town to give a seminar to USA Triathlon members about Ironman training, Paul Huddle, there to cheer on wife Newby-Fraser, emcee Barry Siff, Competitor publisher Bob Babbitt, there to introduce Newby-Fraser, and Loren Lindquist, Lindquist’s coach, husband and co-parent of two rambunctious 3-year-old twins.

All photos © Timothy Carlson

Left to right – Jim Curl, Barb Lindquist, Paula Newby-Fraser, Carl Thomas - the 2010 USAT Hall of Famers.

Carl Thomas and his lovely wife trade stories with 2009 USAT Hall of Famer Jon Gray Noll.

Paula Newby-Fraser and Barb Lindquist.

Jim Curl regales the crowd with stories of the early days of the United States Triathlon series.

Master of ceremonies Barry Siff with 6-time Ironman Hawaii champion Mark Allen and Mark Allen Online partner Luis Vargas.

Mike Reilly, the voice at the Ironman finish line, who gave a heartwarming tribute to Ironman Hawaii race director Valerie Silk, with Paula Newby-Fraser.

USA Triathlon Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications Tim Yount is quite the raconteur himself.

USA Triathlon executive director Skip Gilbert never stops working.

Old training buddies Mark Allen and Paul Huddle.

Jim Ryun, the first high schooler to break the 4-minute mile and three-time Olympian, was named an independent representative to the USA Triathlon board of directors recently. While Ryun could not make the Hall of Fame banquet, his lovely daughter came to represent.

Carl Thomas gave a lively accounting of his pioneer work helping form USTS, the FIT – the predecessor to the ITU, and the adventures he shared with Jim Curl.

Former Ironman North America boss Graham Fraser and great friends Paul Huddle and Paula-Newby Fraser.

Newby-Fraser walks to the microphone to acknowledge her Hall of Fame election as the room erupts in applause.

Newby-Fraser and one of the elegant Hall of Fame vases designed and made by Judge Jones.

Newby-Fraser and husband Paul Huddle share a laugh during a photo shoot.

Paul Huddle and Competitor Radio co-host Bob Babbitt kid around.

Barb Lindquist and husband, manager and coach Loren Lindquist.

Jim Curl and his Hall of Fame vase.

Curl and Thomas, quite a team.

Carl Thomas shows some of his old swimmer's athletic grace miming the Heisman Trophy pose with his Hall of Fame vase as football.