USA

Brooks Clark making a comeback

February 11, Santos, Brazil (www.slowtwitch.com):

The Brazilian journalists at the pre-race press conference for the Bliss Triathlon Internacional de Santos weren't quite sure what to make of Brooks Clark: He introduced himself to say he was glad to be back in the sport, after taking off the last seven years.

For those whom the name draws a blank, Brooks Clark, now 33, used to be one of America's most-winning triathletes. He was a contempory of Scott Molina, a one-time (1989) Worlds teammate of Mark Allen. He was a member of one of U.S. triathlon's most glamorous sponsored teams, Team Foxcatcher. And in 1993, his only other time racing Santos, he finished eighth.

And now, he's back.

Clark raced pro between 1987 and 1993. He made a living off prize money, mostly through the U.S. Triathlon Series. He won the Chicago Sun-Times race in 1987, and the USTS-Chicago race in 1988. But by 1993, when racing was getting tougher and he was winning less often, he walked away at age 27.

"I wasn't racing well, it wasn't fun, and it was no longer financially feasible," he said. "Having to race well just to pay the rent didn't work for me. It might for some triathletes, but it didn't for me."

Santos will be his first serious triathlon in seven years. He made a half-hearted attempt at a few races in 1995, but then called it a career. Back in his hometown of Westchester, Pennsylvania, after trying the San Diego lifestyle for a year, he finished up his undergraduate degree. Now he works as a business analyst for Pfizer Animal Health.

"I didn't mind leaving behind all the financial worries," he said. "But triathlon was part of my identity, so when I left it, I had to redefine myself in the business world. That's not a regret, but it wasn't exactly an easy thing to do."

And now, too, he is racing for fun, purely to see how good he can get again minus the financial pressures of the pro circuit. He started training again last August, and did a small race, the Mighty Hamptons on Long Island, a few weeks into it: He took fourth overall. Since then, he has lost 25 pounds as he rounded into real racing shape.

"I didn't come around in my training until November or December, and I didn't want to wait until April or May to see how fit I was against the rest of the guys," he said. "That's why I'm in Santos. I wanted to get in shape for Brazil in February. Besides, it's 40 degrees warmer here (Santos) than it is back home."

Clark hasn't got a plan for the rest of the season, other than St. Croix in early May. He knows that the U.S. Olympic Trials Triathlon -- the highlight of the year for most Americans -- is closed to him because he has zero world-ranking points.

"It feels good to be in shape and be training with a purpose again. I missed the people in the sport, and I missed the travel. Hopefully I can get some of that back, without the financial pressures."

Wildflower Long-Course Tri an early sell-out

February 12, Lake San Antonio, California (www.slowtwitch.com):

The Wildflower Long-Course Triathlon may have lost its status as a Hawaii Ironman qualifier, but triathletes have stayed true to the race -- to the point of an early sell-out for the May 6-7 event.

Race director Terry Davis says there are still places available for the weekend's two other races, the Olympic-distance triathlon and a shorter Mountain Bike Triathlon. Yet those are signing up entrants at record rates as well, and Davis predicts a full-weekend sell-out -- with more than 5,000 triathletes total -- for the second straight year.

Losing the Hawaii qualifying status obviously hasn't affected registration much. The long-course event filled to capacity as of January 30.

"I was sad when I first found out that we were not going to be a qualifier
race," Davis said. "It wasn't from worry about the future, but more from
reflecting on the past. It was like when my daughter went to college.
Things are never going to be the same, but it doesn't mean that they are not
going to be better, either."

Not only has Davis' Tri-California company sold out Wildflower, but its other headliner event, Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon on May 27, has also reached a sold-out capacity (1,000 triathletes and 50 corporate teams).

"The sport is really strong right now," Davis said. "As far as reasons for our events selling out so early, I think there are a few.

"The Internet and the web has been a large contributor. We have had a website for about three years now and we have tried to stay on the cutting edge of things. This year we opened our own on-line registration program in November and the first day, had 600 entries for Wildflower. We have had a steady flow ever since.

"The only bad part is that there are people who are not web-savvy and may have not had a chance to register. We did send out printed applications to all of last year's participants and we tried to accommodate as many as possible that way. We even had a grace period for the triathletes who have been with us for years.

"This is our 18th year and we will have more than 5000 triathletes when the races are all full -- a far cry from the 86 people that we had in the first year."

Taormina gets a slot for Sydney

January 30, Colorado Springs, CO (www.slowtwitch.com):

USA Triathlon requested, and was awarded, a ninth women's slot from the ITU for the Sydney World Cup on April 16. Specifically it was Sheila Taormina, reigning Olympic swimming gold medalist turned triathlete, USAT was hoping would be able to race.

The slot will go to Taormina, who was next in line under the qualifying procedure enacted by the USAT Board in the late summer of 1999. Taormina's rapid improvement near the end of 1999 reportedly played a large role in the ITU's decision; they felt she was a potential medal contender and deserved a full opportunity to make the three-person U.S. women's team.

A ninth spot for the men may be forthcoming, depending upon the performance of U.S. men in the first two World Cup races of the upcoming season (Rio on March 26 and Kona on April 1).

But it was Taormina, the United States, and perhaps the Olympic triathlon movement who were the winners with this ruling. While Taormina is a late-comer to triathlon, she has had some impressive performances in her new sport. Her ability to qualify for the Olympics goes up dramatically because of the way the American team will be selected. One U.S. slot will be chosen at the Sydney World Cup. Under the rules, Taormina would not be allowed to compete there because countries are allowed a maximum of eight competitors, and Taormina's entry would constitute an unprecendented ninth.

Although she is only the ninth ranked athlete in America, the tactics of a World Cup suit her. She will certainly exit water in or with the lead, and can benefit from riding with top athletes from other countries, who could presumably pull her away from most of the other American women--with the noticeable exception of Barb Lindquist, who always swims with the lead group. Taormina has occasionally shown true talent as a runner, perhaps as good as, or better than, Lindquist.

Without this ruling Taormina's chance at an Olympic slot would be relegated to the later qualifying race in Dallas. Although Dallas qualifies two athletes for the games to Sydney's one, Taormina would not enjoy the strategic advantage available to her in Dallas that she would in Sydney.

Those interested in NBC's coverage of the women's Olympic triathlon--Sydney's first event of the games--will also be rooting for Taormina to make the team. While the event may get scant coverage if American women do not fare well, Taormina and Lindquist are both athletes who can start the run with the race leaders. While the Australian women are the class of the field when it comes to running, if anything has been demonstrated at ITU races, it is the unpredictability of how the run will go on any given day.

Therefore, even those from other countries may be rooting for American's to do well, since major American TV coverage of an Olympic sport would be a huge boost to that sport's future as an Olympic event.

Clermont, the city in central Florida which claims to host more triathlons than any single location in the world, has published its Y2K schedule. Race organizers estimate that the city will host more than 8,000 triathletes this year. Clermont is centrally located 20 miles west of Orlando, FL, 30 minutes away beaches on either coast.

Online registration for all events is now available, and with no additional service charge. All events will be sanctioned by USA Triathlon.

• April 9, 2000 - 17th ANNUAL GREAT CLERMONT TRIATHLON - Swim 1/3 mile--Bike 20 miles--Run 5 miles

• June 11, 2000 - CLERMONT TRIATHLON SERIES #1 - Swim 1/4 mile--Bike 11 miles--Run 3 miles

• June 11, 2000 - CLERMONT KIDS TRI #1 - Swim 100 yards--Bike 3 miles--Run .5 miles

• July 16, 2000 - USAT NATIONAL JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP - Swim 1/4 mile--Bike 11 miles--Run 3 miles

• July 16, 2000 - CLERMONT TRIATHLON SERIES #2 - Swim 1/4 mile--Bike 11 miles--Run 3 miles

• July 16, 2000 - CLERMONT KIDS TRI #2 - Swim 100 yards--Bike 3 miles--Run .5 miles

• August 6, 2000 - CLERMONT TRIATHLON SERIES #3 - Swim 1/4 mile--Bike 11 miles--Run 3 miles

• August 6, 2000 - CLERMONT KIDS TRI #3 - Swim 100 yards--Bike 3 miles--Run .5 miles

• August 27, 2000 - CLERMONT TRIATHLON SERIES #4 - Swim 1/4 mile--Bike 11 miles--Run 3 miles

• August 27, 2000 - CLERMONT KIDS TRI #4 - Swim 100 yards--Bike 3 miles--Run .5 miles

• September 10, 2000 - ASSAULT ON SUGARLOAF - 30, 56, 100 & 112 mile Bike Rides

September 24, 2000 - 16TH ANNUAL FLORIDA CHALLENGE TRIATHLON - Swim 1.2 miles--Bike 56 miles--Run 13.1 miles

• October 21, 2000 - GREAT FLORIDIAN TRIATHLON X &Mac246; USAT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - Swim 2.4 miles--Bike 112 miles--Run 26.2 miles

All events take place at Clermont Waterfront Park, Clermont, Florida.

Contact info:

CFT/Sommer Sports, P.O. Box 121236, Clermont, FL 34712-1236
Phone - 352-394-1320, E-mail - info@triflorida.com, Web -
http://triflorida.com and http://greatfloridian.com

Imagine this field for a one-mile event on the boards at the San Diego Indoor Games:

- Paul Thomas, the 1999 Dannon Duathlon Series Champion and 1999 USAT Duathlete of the Year. In high school he ran a 4:08:52 mile.

- Hunter Kemper: A 51-second quarter-miler from Wake Forest University, Kemper was USAT's Rookie of the Year in 1998 and the USOC's Triathlete of the Year in 1999.

- Nick Radkewich: Nick ran collegiately at Notre Dame and was named the USOC's Triathlete of the Year for 1998.

- Thom Hunt: The former American 10,000 meter record holder on the roads, Hunt ran 4:02.7 indoors while in high school. That mark still stands as the national high school record. He has won road races at every distance from 5,000 meters through the marathon.

- Henry Rono: In 1978, during a span of 63 days, this legendary Kenyan runner broke four world records at 3,000 meters, the steeplechase, 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters.

- Scott Tinley: During his amazing career Tinley completed more than 65 Ironman distance races. Last October he culminated his Ironman career with his 20th finish in Kona. In his long list of titles are two Ironman Hawaii wins and a spot in the prestigious Ironman Hall of Fame.

- Steve Scott: The legend of the mile has run more than 135 sub-four-minute miles in his career and still holds the American record for the outdoor mile at 3:47:69 and the indoor mile, 3:51.8.

Given the variety of those about to run 11-laps to the mile -- and the recent retirement from ex-world champion triathlete and San Diego-resident Greg Welch -- it was only fitting that the race was called the Competitor Magazine/Greg Welch Mile.

And so it went off, although not without a bit of handicapping in the race for the $1,000 first prize. Henry Rono, now an Albuquerque airport skycap and admittedly about 50 pounds over his racing weight, started with Steve Scott, Thom Hunt and Scott Tinley -- but he only had to run 10 laps, not 11. Paul Thomas, Hunter Kemper and Nick Radkewich were given a quarter-lap lead, which worked out to be about seven seconds. Scott Tinley decided at the last minute that he would refuse his 3/4-lap handicap and start on the real line with true milers Steve Scott and Thom Hunt.

After the event Scott Tinley said, "It was a VERY cool thing. I didn't take a handicap, they were giving me a three-quarter lap lead based on my prediction of a 5:09 mile, but at the last minute I felt there was no nobility in that cause, and it was a wonderful opportunity to for me to line on the starting line with Steve Scott, Thom Hunt, and Henry Rono. The other tri-heads took a little more than a third of a lap lead.

"I didn't run as fast as I thought I kind of miscalculated how much was left, I went just under five, 4:57 or something, but Hunter was impressive, the guy held off Steve, heck Steve was impressive too.

"There was a lot of sandbagging going on, that seemed to be the flavor of the evening, talk about "...how out of shape i was...how I haven't been running. Course everyone ran their brains out. It was bitchin'."

When the dust had settled, Hunter Kemper took home the $1,000 and Paul Thomas held on to second, despite a furious Steve Scott charge to the finish. It was no surprise, then, that on Sunday morning, the San Diego Union Tribune called the Competitor Magazine/Greg Welch mile the most exciting event of the meet.

1. Hunter Kemper, 4:17.83 -- for $1,000
2. Paul Thomas, 4:19.18 -- for $500
3. Steve Scott, 4:22:11 -- for $250
4. Nick Radkewich, 4:25.00
5. Thom Hunt, 4:28.54
6. Scott Tinley, 4:58.9
7. Henry Rono, 5:17.18

USA Triathlon announces 2000 dates of coach-certification clinics

January 27, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA (www.slowtwitch.com):

USA Triathlon has scheduled several "USAT Coaching Certification Clinics" for 2000, and applications will be sent out - by request - approximately two months before the clinic date. These are the venues:

The Colorado Springs and San Diego Coaching Certification Clinics will be held on the campus of the US Olympic Training Centers. Clinics will be filled on a first-come/first-serve basis upon receipt of application and clinic fee in the National Office. All listed dates and locations are pending USOC and host coach approval.

To receive an application for one or more of the clinics, please contact Julie Jensen, the national education programs director, at: USA Triathlon National Office; 3595 E. Fountain Blvd., F-1; Colorado Springs, CO 80910. Fax is 719/597-2121; phone is 719/597-9095.

Rukosuev's USA dream hits a snag

January 20, Orlando, Florida (www.slowtwitch.com):

Alec Rukosuev, the Russian triathlete and US resident working toward his USA citizenship, passed his citizenship exam on Tuesday. But his quest to schedule a swearing-in ceremony and become eligible for the U.S. Olympic team was stopped short on Tuesday as well: Immigration officers advised him that he is missing the necessary five years of holding a "green card."

Rukosuev has had a green card for four years, rather than the requisite five. His progress through the system had seemed so promising, especially after a hearing was scheduled for early January -- the result, he felt, of approaching President Bill Clinton last May by letter.

But this latest setback -- apparently made clear to him on the same day he sat for his exam -- means that his Olympic quest is stopped short, as his citizenship claim can be processed no further. Still, he is determined to seek expedition of his case by petitioning the Department of Justice to have his case granted special status. Clearly, with the pending urgency of his Olympic bid, he isn't abandoning Olympic dream just yet.

(RELATED STORIES: Orlando Sentinel 1-19, Orlando Sentinel 1-18)

Competitor Magazine's Bob Babbitt may be the best-connected man in Endurance Sports circles in Southern California, and he's leveraged his contacts in the sports world to stage an intriguing event at the San Diego Indoor Track and Field meet, to be held Saturday, January 22nd.

It is the "Competitor Mile," and features triathletes, masters runners, and some names from the past competing in a handicap race on the 11-lap-to-the-mile indoor track. The same boards on which Eamon Coghlan ran a world indoor mile record will host master's legend and still American record-holder Steve Scott running "scratch" (running with no head start). Joining him will be San Diego born and raised Thom Hunt, former world class runner and 4:02 high school miler. Hunt just finished second in the masters division, U.S. X-Country nationals. Each runner figures to be able to run in the 4:15 range.

Joining them with little or no head start will be triathletes Nick Radkewich and Hunter Kemper, who are in Australia filming a Visa commercial. "They are stoked," said Babbitt. "They've already got their spikes and are really looking forward to it. They're flying in and will get here the night before the race." Radkewich brings a 4:10 PR in the mile with him.

Scott Tinley and Kenny Souza will have as much as a lap head start. Tinley has told Babbitt that he's in shape to run around five minutes. Since the race pays $1000 to the winner, and $500 for second, perhaps Tinley is sandbagging a little. Souza is in fairly good shape as well, the many-time national duathlon champion has trained run-specificaly all Fall. Also joining the field from the duathlon ranks is Paul Thomas, who not only brings stellar duathlon credentials to the race, but a 4:08 high school mile PR.

The biggest surprise is Henry Rono. Yes, THAT Henry Rono. Babbitt found him, "throwing bags at an Albuquergue airport." He's being flown in for the race. How much head start will Rono get? "I don't know, Babbitt said, "I have no idea what kind of condition he is in. I have to see him first."

Fritzsche, McKeachie are USA Triathlon's Age-Group Athletes of the Year

January 3, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA (www.slowtwitch.com):

Age-groupers Paul Fritzsche, 22, and Karen McKeachie, 46, are USA Triathlon's Athletes of the Year, the USA Triathlon national office has announced.

Fritzsche, of State College, Pennsylvania, won two events in 1999, the World Championship Qualifier, held June 5 in Clermont, Florida, and the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship, held September 25 in St. Joseph, Missouri. He also finished 20th in his age-group (20-24s) at the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Montreal in September. He was a member of the 1999 USA Triathlon National Collegiate Team and recently earned a degree in elementary education from Penn State University.

Although McKeachie, 46, did not post a single overall victory in the 12 multisport events in which she participated, she went undefeated in the 45-49 age group in each of those races. She was the USAT national champion in her age group (45-49) in Olympic- and long-distance triathlon, as well as duathlon. Further, she won world titles in both duathlon and Olympic-distance triathlon.

A complete list of USA Triathlon's honorees is below:

Triathletes Birsinger, Kemper land General Motors cars

December 16, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA (www.slowtwitch.com):

General Motors, the exclusive domestic automotive sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team through the year 2008, has provided free cars for 100 American athletes -- including two triathletes with Olympic visions.

Pam Birsinger of Atlanta, Georgia, and Hunter Kemper of Orlando, Florida, were included in the list that was pared from an initial 1,800 applicants to 250, then the final 100. The car recipients were announced on December 16 in New York City.

The criteria for selection, according to a GM press release, included "financial need, training and competition requirements, and qualification of 'hopeful' status".

Track and field athletes accounted for the largest group, getting 19 of the cars, which were distributed to athletes in 28 sports. Some of them are the GMC Envoy vehicles, with a manufacturers' suggested retail price of $35,000, and others are the Pontiac Grand Prix (worth $21,000).

Both Birsinger, 34, and Kemper, 23, are each receiving a 2000 Pontiac Montana, a minivan valued at $27,400.

"I am so grateful to GM and the UAW for making this possible," Birsinger said. "I have spent my life savings on getting to the Trials, and the fact that I don't have to worry about the financial burden of a car payment is tremendous. I'm very appreciative."

Said Kemper: "I feel very fortunate to be driving on four feels instead of two. I've been commuting with my bike, and now those cold Colorado winter mornings will be a little easier to handle. I think it's great that UAW-GM is easing our burdens of being a full-time elite athlete."

Birsinger competed in 14 events last season, placing in the top 10 nine times. She had left her career as a healthcare administrator last spring to train full time. Formerly a swimmer at the University of New Hampshire, she is also an accomplished cyclist. She was invited to compete at the 1996 U.S. Cycling Olympic Trials, but chose not to compete, concentrating on her career. Regretting that decision, she is not about to miss another opportunity in 2000 in triathlon.

Kemper, training for his third season as an elite triathlete, was voted the USOC's 1999 Triathlete of the Year. Without a single ITU world-ranking point before 1999, he finished the year ranked No. 35 in the world. He won four events, including the U.S. Pro National Championship and the ITU North American Regional Championship. He also was a silver medalist in the Pan American Games triathlon at Winnipeg in July.

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US Olympic Committee "Triathlete of the Year" honors for Smyers, Kemper

November 17, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA (www.slowtwitch.com):

Karen Smyers and Hunter Kemper have been named the respective Triathletes of the Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Smyers, of Lincoln, Massachusetts, came back from two series injuries and the birth of her first child during the past two years to win two events during the 1999 season. One of those wins earned her a spot on the Pan American Games team that competed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in July. Smyers placed seventh there, but the highlight of the Games was her selection by the entire U.S. delegation to be the flagbearer during the Opening Ceremonies. She finished out her season in October with a second place at the prestigious Hawaii Ironman.

Smyers, 38, is ranked 34th in the world. She missed most of the 1997 season after severing her hamstring when glass from a storm window shattered while she was changing it in June. She gave birth to her daughter Jenna in May 1998, and returned to competition two months later. But in August, she was hit by a semi truck while on a training ride, suffering a lung contusion, six broken ribs and a third-degree shoulder separation. Along with her two wins in her return this season, she posted eight top-five placings in 11 events. She was the top American finisher at five international events.

"This is a real shock to me," Smyers said of the honor. "A lot of my competitors had great seasons and are just as deserving. This is especially rewarding after being forced to watch from the sidelines for the last two years."

Kemper, of Orlando, Florida, now lives in Colorado Springs. The second-year elite athlete has posted four victories this season, including the ITU North American Regional Championship in August. Later that month, he successfully defended his 1998 U.S. Pro National Championship when he was the first American to cross the finish line at the Mrs. T's Chicago Triathlon.

"After being named the Rookie of the Year last year, this is a great way to follow it up," Kemper said. "It's an honor to be on the same (USOC) list with people like Lance Armstrong and Karen Smyers - people I've looked up to for years."

Kemper, 23, is ranked No. 35 in the world. He earned a silver medal at the Pan American Games. The podium finish carried even more significance, as he was the first North American (Canada, USA, Mexico) to cross the finish line, earning the U.S. men's team an additional Olympic slot.

Additionally, Kemper's eighth-place finish at the ITU World Championships in Montreal, Quebec in September, was the highest finish for an American male since Brad Kearn's fifth-place finish in 1992. He earned titles in five of seven domestic races this season and was the top American finisher at eight international events.

Smyers and Kemper will receive their Triathlete of the Year awards at the Competitor Magazine Endurance Sports Award Banquet at Sea World in San Diego, California, on February 26.

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Six triathletes get sponsorship boost from Visa in USA Triathlon program

November 1, Colorado Springs, Colorado (www.slowtwitch.com):

Six American triathletes have been selected to be featured in Visa's new sponsorship program with USA Triathlon.

The six -- Wes Hobson, Hunter Kemper, Nick Radkewich, Jennifer Gutierrez, Siri Lindley and Barb Lindquist -- will have their names and likenesses used within Visa's advertising, promotions and public relations efforts as they prepare to qualify to represent the U.S. at the 2000 Olympics.

American triathletes will qualify for the first-ever U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team at the U.S. Olympic Triathlon Trials next May 27-28 in Dallas, Texas.

Said Steve Locke, USAT executive director: "As triathlon makes its Olympic debut in Sydney next year, some of the top U.S. triathletes will have the much needed support of Visa.

"This is a very exciting time for our sport. In addition to the Olympic debut, triathlon is experiencing phenomenal growth at the grassroots level. Hopefully that growth will promote excellence at future Olympic Games. We are seeing a huge growth in events and participation and corporations like Visa are beginning to take notice."

Novice triathlon participation has nearly doubled over the past five years - increasing 93.7 percent since September 1994 -- the month that triathlon was invited into the Olympic family. Also, USA Triathlon has sanctioned 17.7 percent more events in 1999 compared to 1998.

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USTS 2000's eight-race schedule announced

December 1, Madison, Wisconsin, USA (www.slowtwitch.com):

Now in its third season, the 2000 edition of the Bally Total Fitness U.S. Triathlon
Series (BTFUSTS) will host eight triathlons nationwide, including the Series National Championships on October 8 at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

The Series will open in June with a southwestern presence in Oceanside, California, on June 11 and Phoenix, Arizona, on June 18. Other race sites include Madison, Wisconsin; Atlanta, Georgia; Rye, New York; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Dallas, Texas.

The Series will go back to its roots and produce only Olympic-distance triathlons (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run). The BTFUSTS will introduce an Amateur Points Chase and continue the Pro Tour.

"We feel the USTS 2000 schedule will lend itself as being the nation's premier triathlon event series leading up to the Olympic Games on Saturday, September 16th in Sydney, Australia," said executive director Ken MacKenzie. "We will provide a platform to showcase the best amateur and professional Olympic-distance triathletes by staging well-organized, safe, and enjoyable events."

Entry forms for the BTFUSTS will be widely available in mid-January. The BTFUSTS will supply a specialized on-line entry function through its home Webpage at Entry forms will also be available at Bally Total Fitness clubs in USTS markets and in the February and subsequent issues of Triathlete magazine.

The Bally Total Fitness USTS is a production of USTS 2000 Inc., a subsidiary of Quest Management Inc. Quest Management Inc. also produces the Heroes Madison Marathon and five additional midwestern triathlon events.

*2000 Bally Total Fitness USTS Schedule
(*All race dates and locations are subject to change)

June 11 - Oceanside, California, at Oceanside Pier
June 18 - Phoenix, Arizona, at Lake Pleasant
July 23 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, at Lake Nokomis
July 30 - Atlanta, Georgia, at Lake Acworth
August 6 - Madison, Wisconsin, at Vilas Park
August 20 - Dallas, Texas at venue TBA
September 17 - Rye, New York, at Playland Park
October 8 - Series Championships at Orlando, Florida at Disney World