Potts and Reed ready to rumble
Written by: Dan Empfield
Date: Fri Jul 10 2009
Greg Bennett has made the Life Time Fitness Series his own in years past, but the torch may be ready to move onward to a contender. Who's likely to step into the winner's circle tomorrow, as we cover the race live and as it happens?
Andy Potts is the early speed for this no wetsuit swim, and in the no-draft format he may have the legs to ride his Kuota Kueen K a wire-to-wire bike leg lead. If he does, there are few faster runners in the sport right now than Potts.
Matty Reed is not far behind Potts in the water, however, and may be his equal or better on the bike. Is Reed prepared to outrun Potts? Reed has out-legged just about everyone he's faced this year.
The dark horse is homey David Thompson. The engineer who lives and works locally knows every inch of the course and, on occasion, pulls an over-the-top swim out of his hat. He just won his third Philly tri title last week.
Sarah Haskins is tough at this distance and tough in this series. She'll face a challenge from the gal who's shown great early season Oly-distance form, Rebeccah Wassner (wins at St. Anthony's, Philly). Becky Lavelle grew up in Minneapolis, is a Wayzata High School graduate (Greg Lemond is Wayzata's famous resident), so she is a bit of hometown favorite. Julie Dibbens is always good whether on road or off, and Pip Taylor has had her position on her Kestrel Airfoil Pro recently reworked by John Cobb. Let's see if that increases her already quick bike leg.
There will be a "Battle of the Sexes" $1,000 prize for the fastest handicapped time. The time handicap is 10min 58sec. This competition will occur during each of the series races: NY, Chicago, LA, Dallas.
Our coverage will start at 4:45AM Pacific, 7:45AM Eastern.
Andy Potts is the early speed for this no wetsuit swim, and in the no-draft format he may have the legs to ride his Kuota Kueen K a wire-to-wire bike leg lead. If he does, there are few faster runners in the sport right now than Potts.
Matty Reed is not far behind Potts in the water, however, and may be his equal or better on the bike. Is Reed prepared to outrun Potts? Reed has out-legged just about everyone he's faced this year.
The dark horse is homey David Thompson. The engineer who lives and works locally knows every inch of the course and, on occasion, pulls an over-the-top swim out of his hat. He just won his third Philly tri title last week.
Sarah Haskins is tough at this distance and tough in this series. She'll face a challenge from the gal who's shown great early season Oly-distance form, Rebeccah Wassner (wins at St. Anthony's, Philly). Becky Lavelle grew up in Minneapolis, is a Wayzata High School graduate (Greg Lemond is Wayzata's famous resident), so she is a bit of hometown favorite. Julie Dibbens is always good whether on road or off, and Pip Taylor has had her position on her Kestrel Airfoil Pro recently reworked by John Cobb. Let's see if that increases her already quick bike leg.
There will be a "Battle of the Sexes" $1,000 prize for the fastest handicapped time. The time handicap is 10min 58sec. This competition will occur during each of the series races: NY, Chicago, LA, Dallas.
Our coverage will start at 4:45AM Pacific, 7:45AM Eastern.
Articles related to this one
Thompson, Wassner both three-peat Philly Tri
In a reverse of the usual form, super-biker David Thompson lost ground on the bike but took his third Philly title in a row with his run; Rebeccah Wassner held off Canadian Kerry Spearing by 38 seconds for her third straight win in the City of Brotherly Love 6.28.09
In a reverse of the usual form, super-biker David Thompson lost ground on the bike but took his third Philly title in a row with his run; Rebeccah Wassner held off Canadian Kerry Spearing by 38 seconds for her third straight win in the City of Brotherly Love 6.28.09
Q&A with Rebeccah Wassner
Her St. Anthony’s victory was “the biggest of her career,” says the 34-year-old, recently married, part-time CPA. Wassner is a late blooming pro who gained confidence by beating a quality field on a tough day in St. Petersburg. 4.28.09
Her St. Anthony’s victory was “the biggest of her career,” says the 34-year-old, recently married, part-time CPA. Wassner is a late blooming pro who gained confidence by beating a quality field on a tough day in St. Petersburg. 4.28.09
Comments
USAT Water Temps
Jordan Rapp
Reviewed by: Jordan Rapp, Jul 11 2009 11:38AM
USAT actually updated it's water temperature rules for pros this year (2009). It's now inline with ITU rules. 68F is the wetsuit cut-off for pros for swims <2000m (so sprint, Olympic, and 1/2IM are all 68F). For longer swims, like an Ironman or ITU long course event, the cutoff is 72F. This is ONLY for pros.
Swim
Reviewed by: hgrong, Jul 10 2009 12:59PM
FYI, the current temp of Lake Nokomis is 73 F. The swim will almost certainly be wetsuit legal.
