2011 CapTex Triathlon
Written by: Timothy Carlson
Added: Mon May 30 2011
Last Modified: Tue May 31 2011
The debut of the historic Cap Tex Triathlon into the race to the Toyota Cup Series offered a first rate field, the warm welcome of still rising triathlon center of Austin, Texas, an exciting crit-style bike and multi-loop run course, and $12,000 to the men's and women's winners. And despite the best of ingredients, sometimes things are just snake bit.
That's sad because Sarah Haskins had a great world-class winning performance that included a race-best 1:02:47 bike and Andy Potts combined a runaway swim, a 6th-best 58:34 bike and 4th-best 32:58 run to take the title, holding off by 13 seconds a race-best 31:16 run by his long time rival Hunter Kemper for the win. Which would have been a fine, happy script -- except that that scenario will forever be overshadowed by the strange swim marshaling snafu. Somehow, misinformed persons piloting a jet ski and another in a larger boat zoomed in front of the leading swimmers as they were on course and approaching the first turnaround buoy. The bad news boats frantically misdirected the pack -- literally stopping all the swimmers but one in their tracks. Andy Potts instead went around the hijacking and for his presence of mind got a 3 minute advantage which held up right to the end.
This photographer was also snake bit - with nobody but himself to blame for positioning himself right behind the men's pro wave on the start pontoon. Unlike ITU start pontoons which are firmly anchored, the Cap Tex swim start pontoon floated majestically unanchored out in the river. So when 30 top male pros launched from the gun, they pushed the pontoon back with a mighty force. The subsequent backlash launched your correspondent into the drink with all his lenses and a second camera getting soaked and knocked out of commission. Holding his main camera and lens above the water with a death grip, the rest of the day's photos were subject to the singular discipline of a wide angle lens and a balky fill flash.
The ultimate bill for restoring the soaked photo equipment up to specs? Unknown. The moment when the swim start PA announcer encouraged the crowd to cheer this dripping wet photog for his style points? Priceless.
Photographs © Timothy Carlson
That's sad because Sarah Haskins had a great world-class winning performance that included a race-best 1:02:47 bike and Andy Potts combined a runaway swim, a 6th-best 58:34 bike and 4th-best 32:58 run to take the title, holding off by 13 seconds a race-best 31:16 run by his long time rival Hunter Kemper for the win. Which would have been a fine, happy script -- except that that scenario will forever be overshadowed by the strange swim marshaling snafu. Somehow, misinformed persons piloting a jet ski and another in a larger boat zoomed in front of the leading swimmers as they were on course and approaching the first turnaround buoy. The bad news boats frantically misdirected the pack -- literally stopping all the swimmers but one in their tracks. Andy Potts instead went around the hijacking and for his presence of mind got a 3 minute advantage which held up right to the end.
This photographer was also snake bit - with nobody but himself to blame for positioning himself right behind the men's pro wave on the start pontoon. Unlike ITU start pontoons which are firmly anchored, the Cap Tex swim start pontoon floated majestically unanchored out in the river. So when 30 top male pros launched from the gun, they pushed the pontoon back with a mighty force. The subsequent backlash launched your correspondent into the drink with all his lenses and a second camera getting soaked and knocked out of commission. Holding his main camera and lens above the water with a death grip, the rest of the day's photos were subject to the singular discipline of a wide angle lens and a balky fill flash.
The ultimate bill for restoring the soaked photo equipment up to specs? Unknown. The moment when the swim start PA announcer encouraged the crowd to cheer this dripping wet photog for his style points? Priceless.
Photographs © Timothy Carlson
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It's Potts and Haskins in Austin
Andy Potts is steered off-course twice, believing the course marshal only once and that, plus a strong race, netted him an easy win at Captex. Sarah Haskins wins as well in the popular, 3000-person downtown tri. 5.30.11
Andy Potts is steered off-course twice, believing the course marshal only once and that, plus a strong race, netted him an easy win at Captex. Sarah Haskins wins as well in the popular, 3000-person downtown tri. 5.30.11
Comments
Kemper and Dye in Discussions
Anus
Reviewed by: Thomas Peoples, Jun 1 2011 6:44AM
Did you notice the unfortunate wording behind the chatting duo?
Great coverage, as always
Reviewed by: Land Heintzberger, May 31 2011 2:28PM
Thanks for the as always terrific coverage. Sorry to hear about the camera equipment, hopefully it'll all be back in action soon!
Tim in Austin Texas.
Tim joins the Elite into the Colorado River with c
Reviewed by: carlos, May 31 2011 12:19PM
Terrific sense of humor and pix. Great coverage Tim. I was shooting from the bridge behind you and got the sequence of you going into the water. I had a 70-200mm lens focus on the dock...so super detailed it is not...but clearly it's you going in. Send me an email if you wish the see the whole sequence. I was shooting for Brightroom.
Tim is always on the leading edge!
Rich Cruse
Reviewed by: Rich Cruse, May 31 2011 10:22AM
Great shots Tim! Sorry about the accident. I hope your gear can be repaired.
Maybe the limitations brought out your creativity
Reviewed by: Chris Eaves, May 30 2011 9:00PM
I love these shots. Especially that one of Andy Potts on the bike -- that's just bad ass. Maybe you should try a pinhole camera next?
