Rasmus Henning (DEN) repeated his victory at the Hy-Vee ITU World Cup and earned himself another big paycheck. Emma Snowsill (AUS) convincingly won the women's race. Hunter Kemper and Sarah Haskins grabbed the final US Olympic spots with their 6th place finishes.
Despite the massive prize purse and an impressive international field, many eyes and minds seemed to be focused on the 2 Americans battling for the final Olympic spot, Andy Potts and Hunter Kemper. As predicted, it was Potts who exited the Blue Heron Lake first and snagged the $5,000 swim prime, but Kemper and fellow American Brian Fleischmann were not far behind behind.
Once on the bike they were quickly joined by several chasers and a 21-man front pack was formed. Late on the bike, American Tim O'Donnell managed to get away and arrived first into T2. Soon though a group of 5 men emerged on the run containing Rasmus Henning, Simon Whitfield, Bevan Docherty, Greg Bennett and Ivan Rana of Spain, and Andy Potts and Hunter Kemper were battling for that elusive Olympic spot right behind them.
Halfway through the run, Henning left the other contenders to battle for the final spots on the podium, and Kemper started to ease away from Potts. After 1 hour, 54 minutes and 21 seconds it was Henning crossing the finish line first and earning himself $200,000 just as he had in 2007. Docherty finished second and earned $40,000 for his effort, Bennett meanwhile settled for the final podium spot. Kemper crossed the line 2 places ahead of Potts, and will now represent the USA together with Jarrod Shoemaker and Matt Reed in Beijing.
In the women’s race it was Sara McLarty who was first out of the water and grabbed the $5,000 Speedo swim bonus.
McLarty rode by herself for the first lap and a half before a strong chase group that included Emma Snowsill, Laura Bennett, Emma Moffatt, Julie Ertel and newly crowned world champion Helen Tucker reeled her in. These ten women worked together well and slowly added time to their lead. By the time the arrived at T2 they had a 2-minute cushion on the closest pursuers.
As the headed out onto the run, Snowsill immediately took the lead with Moffatt in second place and Bennett a further six seconds behind her. Tucker, Haskins and Liz Blatchford were also in striking distance for the final spot on the podium. Snowsill though proved too strong and cruised to the finish line celebrating the ninth world cup title of her career and a $200,000 payday. Moffatt held on to second and Tucker passed Bennett for third. Haskins was sixth and earned the final spot on the U.S. Olympic team, joining Ertel and Bennett.
2008 Hy-Vee ITU World Cup, West Des Moines, Iowa
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Top 10 men
1. Rasmus Henning (DEN) 1:54:21
2. Bevan Docherty (NZL) 1:54:29
3. Greg Bennett (AUS) 1:54:32
4. Ivan Rana (ESP) 1:54:41
5. Simon Whitfield (CAN) 1:54:49
6. Hunter Kemper (USA) 1:55:00 *
7. Alistair Brownlee (GBR) 1:55:22
8. Andy Potts (USA) 1:55:27
9. Dan Wilson (AUS) 1:55:36
10. Henrik de Villiers (RSA) 1:55:38
* = clinches final US Olympic spot
Top 10 women
1. Emma Snowsill (AUS) 2:03:15
2. Emma Moffatt (AUS) 2:04:35
3. Helen Tucker (GBR) 2:05:21
4. Laura Bennett (USA) 2:05:30
5. Liz Blatchford (GBR) 2:05:41
6. Sarah Haskins (USA) 2:05:45 *
7. Julie Ertel (USA) 2:07:12
8. Becky Lavelle (USA) 2:07:44
9. Sarah Groff (USA) 2:08:57
10. Erin Densham (AUS) 2:08:59
* = clinches final US Olympic spot
