Swedish Pro Jonas Colting reports from the 2009 Island to Island “triathlon.” To cross 20 islands and cover 64 km of total distance, participants (with a partner) get to run 38km, ride 16km and swim 20 times for a total 10km swim.

Greg Bennett, in first race after August bike crash, takes second to Stuart Hayes; Laura Bennett tops Becky Lavelle in Nautica Malibu Triathlon Olympic distance elite contest

Craig Alexander showed that he is ready for the upcoming Ironman World Championships in Kona with a solid win at Subaru Ironman 70.3 Muskoka. Mirinda Carfrae captured the women’s title in a time of 4:24:48.

Raynard Tissink won the 2009 Ford Ironman Wisconsin, after defending champion Chris McDonald faltered during the run. The women’s race was dominated by Amy Marsh who crossed the line well ahead of her closest pursuer.

Australia’s Emma Moffatt surged away from Lisa Norden with 300 meters to go to take the Grand Final and World Championship series titles on Australia’s Gold Coast

Spain’s Mario Mola spoiled Jonathan Brownlee’s bid to match brother Alistair’s senior world title; France’s Emmie Charayron topped Australia’s Emma Jackson at Junior Worlds.

Leanda Cave of Great Britain outruns Tenille Hoogland of Canada and Brian Fleischmann outruns Kyle Leto to win Triathlon at Pacific Grove titles

Alistair Brownlee of Great Britain runs dazzling 29:04 to outlast Spain’s Javier Gomez by 7 seconds and win the Gold Coast Grand Final and take the 2009 world points title with a perfect 5-for-5 winning record

Arnaud Chivot of France took overall men’s title in 1:53:26 and Carrie Lester of Australia won the women’s overall in 2:06:16 at age group Worlds in Australia

Germany’s Franz Loeschke outran Aussie James Seear and Great Britain’s Hollie Avil did the same to countrywoman Jodie Stimpson to take the Under 23 world titles on Australia’s Gold Coast

On this Friday we look closer at derailleur cables from Gore, a speedsuit from Aquasphere, lighting from Knog, a t-shirt from Swobo and a great money “hiding” idea.

Setting triathlon championship odds is a thankless task which invariably holds the prognosticator’s shortcomings up for ridicule. But Slowtwitch senior correspondent Timothy Carlson is once again up for his stint in the post race hall of shame.

Who could bet against young Alistair Brownlee, who has a shockingly perfect World Championship Series record? Well, some daring punters (bettors) might look at the crack in his invulnerability revealed with a loss to Javier Gomez at Europeans.

After heated discussions about the recently announced compression sock ban for Kona, the WTC announced today that covering the calves at the Ironman World Championships would no longer be considered an infraction of a rule.

At the ITU World Championship Series Grand Final, Alistair Brownlee has a commanding points lead over Javier Gomez and the rest of a strong men’s field; while Emma Moffat must finish within a place or two of Lisa Norden to secure the title.

WTC has taken a bold and affirmative step, and has set several industry standards with its new anti-doping program. But AGers as well as pros? That’ll require uncommon smarts and agility.

Ironman’s owner to test pros and elite age-group athletes both in and out of competition. Will AGers have to register with ADAMS? Details to follow.

Giant’s Trinity 1 for 2010 was, in most respects, its Trinity 2 in 2009. It’s an 09 Trinity 2 with a new color, and like last year’s “2” it’s a great frame with a forgettable spec.

Gash in foot incurred at Knokke Triathlon in Belgium knocks Rutger Beke, one of the Kona’s most consistent performers, out of the 2009 Ironman World Championship

Australian Ironman athlete Chris McDonald has lightened up his racing schedule this year as he returns this weekend to defend his 2008 Ironman Wisconsin title. He lives in New Zealand but maintains that he is true blue kangaroo.

In bikes and fine art, sometimes value is not appreciated contemporaneous with its introduction. So with the Trinity 0 (last year’s Trinity 1), and most retailers who carry it won’t grasp this model’s importance.

In 1997 I entered my first triathlon in Lititz, Pennsylvania. This is the same triathlon that lost its support from the local fire department in 2002 due to an unfortunate association with Harry Potter and alleged witchcraft.

You’re more than a third of the way to the goal. In a couple of weeks you’ll be halfway to the goal. You could probably do a triathlon right now and survive.

Featured here is a day in the life of 3-time Life Time Series champion Greg Bennett at home in Boulder with wife Laura.