Andy Potts is the triathlon king of Oceanside with four wins and two runner up finishes in six tries. Melanie McQuaid chose this weekend to prove she can win a triathlon on pavement as well as her long time mastery of the dirty, rocky, stump-ridden world of XTERRA. The Pacific Ocean waters in Southern California in March are cold enough to numb and freeze the limbs of triathletes almost all day at the 70.3 distance. And for some reason, Oceanside 70.3 races produce inspiring sporting battles that help kick start the North American triathlon season nearly every year.

All photographs © Timothy Carlson

Paul Ambrose runs to 5th place past a local surfer on the Oceanside 70.3 course.

Magali Tisseyre had a new aero helmet but she pulled out after the swim.

Checking his wheel before the start.

Heather Jackson was primed to improve on her runner-up finish in 2011 but Melanie McQuaid stopped Jackson short of her goal.

Meredith Kessler had the fastest swim and held off Melanie McQuaid for 16 miles on the bike before McQuaid took control of the race.

Meredith Kessler rides past a barracks in the middle of Camp Pendleton.

Heather Jackson rode the third-best women's bike split of 2:28:03 on her way to a second straight runner-up finish.

Linsey Corbin rode 2:30:54 on her way to 5th place.

Melanie McQuaid credited her new Trek bike with unleashing her full pavement potential while posting a race-best 2:22:44 bike split.

Richie Cunningham rode 7th-best 2:13:41 on his way to a 2nd place finish.

Matt Lieto posted the men's best 2:11:57 bike split on his way to 10th place.

Andy Potts ran a perfect strategic race for the win. A key to his coolness under fire was his calm demeanor while being chased by four fleet footed runners.

Starting the run, Paul Ambrose, Jesse Thomas, Richie Cunningham and Leon Griffin formed the pack chasing Potts.

On Lap two, Jesse Thomas and Leon Griffin tried to break one another while Richie Cunningham lurks behind.

Matt Reed ran 6th-fastest 1:16:34 on his way to 6th place.

Lesley Paterson dug a hole with an off form swim and bike but her 2nd-fastest 1:21:56 run brought her home 6th.

Potts celebrated his 4th Oceanside win.

Richie Cunningham used his tactical experience and his last drop of energy to outduel Jesse Thomas for 2nd place.

Melanie McQuaid was carried off unconscious at the XTERRA World Championship. Saturday, she exulted in a fully conscious celebration of her win at Oceanside.

McQuaid's price of victory? A wicked blister taken care of in the post race medical room.