With a forecast for heavy thunderstorms all day, the 2nd annual Rev3Tri in Quassy looked like it might be a wash out. But with relatively clear skies and even some sunshine for much of the day, the weather proved to be a non-factor. The punishingly hilly bike and run courses, however, more than lived up to the pre-race hype, breaking the legs - and spirits - of many of the athletes.
In the men's race, two former Ironman 70.3 World Champions - Craig Alexander (2006) and Terenzo Bozzone (2008) - were facing off at the half-iron distance for the first time in quite a while. Matt Reed, who had his sights firmly set on the Rev3 sweep bonus of $125,000, was looking to notch the second "W" in the Rev3 series after his impressive win a month ago in Knoxville, TN. Joe Gambles, who established himself as one of the peak 70.3 racers in the world with his smashing of Craig Alexander's Vineman 70.3 course record in 2009, was looking to make a step up on the podium after coming in a close second to Matt Reed at this race last year. A resurgent David Thompson, who seems to be back on form after losing much of 2008 to a hernia, was also looking for a improvement on his 2009 finish, where he held onto second place for much of the race before ultimately fading to fourth.
Just like on the swim last year, Matt Reed hooked onto the heels of super-swimmer John Kenny, who towed Matt to what ended up being an unassailable lead out of the swim in 2009. With warm water temperatures of 77F, it was a non-wetsuit swim which seemed like it would stretch the pros out much more than during the previous year's wetsuit swim. But no one was willing to let a gap form, and all the main competitors came out relatively close together. Within a few miles, Reed, Bozzone, and Alexander were joined by Ritchie Cunningham and Joe Umphenour. These five men formed the core of a group that would stay together through much of the day. About 10 miles in, uber-biker Bjorn Andersson stormed through the field, and no one was brave enough - or foolish enough - to give chase. About halfway up the long climb at mile 25 that punctuates the middle of the course, the fivesome was joined by Joe Gambles and Andrew Starykowitz, who each pushed the pace over the remaining miles. Gambles at one point ws holding onto a strong second place and enjoyed a 90 second lead, but by T2, Starykowitz had moved into second, Gambles was in third, and Reed, Alexander, Bozzone all rolled ino transition in close proximity of them. Joe Umphenour, Richie Cunningham, and David Thompson, who made his way through much of the field with patient tactics, were next into T2.
Gambles quickly overtook Starykowitz for second, but was forced to abandon just after mile 3 with an achilles tendon problem. From there, pre-race favorites Alexander, Bozzone, and Reed put on one of the best shows in recent memory. Alexander was the first to get ejected on the early hills on the run course - seemingly for good. But showing his patience and confidence, Crowie refused to disappear and left it to Bozzone and Reed to smash each other over the rolling hills before Bozzone finally made a decisive move on Reed about nine and a half miles in. Alexander sensed opportunity and picked off Reed, and then worked his way up to Bozzone, who stuck to the two-time Ironman World Champ like glue. The Australian finally broke the elastic attaching the young Kiwi to him just before the 11 mile mark. Alexander cruised to victory over the final two miles; further demonstrating that he hasn't lost all his short course speed, Alexander's time broke Matt Reed's course record set at the inaugural Rev3 Quassy race in 2009. Bozzone racked up another second place finish to pair with his second place in Knoxville, while a disappointed Boom-Boom Matty Reed hung onto third to round out the podium. David Thompson surged away from the ageless Joe Umphenour in the final miles to take fourth, while Umphenour held on for a strong fifth place finish.
The women's race featured three Ironman 70.3 World Champions - Mirinda Carfrae (2007), Joanna Zeiger (2008), and Julie Dibens (2009) - and a several other of the best 70.3 races from around the globe. On paper, it looked like it would be a continuation of "The Julie Dibens Show" just like the Rev3 in Knoxville, Abu Dhabi, Ironman 70.3 World Champs, and XTerra World Champs. Wading into the glassy smooth waters of Lake Quassapaug, Dibens took advantage of the presence of fellow uber-swimmer Joanna Zeiger to finally let someone else do the the pace making early in the race. And, playing out according to script, once the bike started, it was all Dibens. Despite starting three minutes back, Dibens was well ahead of several pro men and came into T2 almost 7 minutes ahead of defending champ Mirinda Carfrae. But the fleet feet of Carfrae would not be denied and by just over 6 miles into the run, she had erased Diben's lead. Carfrae took the lead in dominant fashion as Diben's looked human for the first time in almost a year as she was forced to walk on several occasions. Kelly Williamson took advantage of her improved bike skills to avenge her sprint finish loss to Kiwi Sam Warriner, who held on for the final podium position. Showing true depth of character, Dibens was able to right herself somewhat and finished in a more than respectable fourth place. Mary Beth Ellis rounded out the top five despite bleeding through her running shoes enough that the cameras easily spotted it as she crossed the line.
Rev3 Quassy
Middlebury, CT
June 6, 2010
S 1.2 mi. / B 56 mi. / R 13.1 mi.
Men
1. Craig Alexander (AUS) - 3:59:20
2. Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) - 4:00:20
3. Matt Reed (USA) - 4:02:10
4. David Thompson (USA) - 4:04:34
5. Joe Umphenour (USA) - 4:04:58
6. Viktor Zyemtsev (UKR) - 4:08:13
7. Richie Cunningham (AUS) - 4:11:03
8. James Cotter (NZL) - 4:13:36
9. Andrew Starykowicz (USA) - 4:16:05
10. Dorian Wagner - 4:17:40
Women
1. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) - 4:23:36
2. Kelly Williamson (USA) - 4:29:09
3. Samantha Warriner (NZL) - 4:31:55
4. Julie Dibens (GBR) - 4:34:07
5. Mary-Beth Ellis (USA) - 4:35:19
6. Laurel Wassner (USA) - 4:39:36
7. Natascha Badmann (SUI) - 4:44:38
8. Jessica Jacobs - 4:45:43
9. Amanda Lovato (USA) - 4:47:29
10. Erin O'Hara - 4:50:11
