http://wts.triathlon.org/site/start_list/2014_itu_world_triathlon_chicago/264381

yes you will want to fight the traffic. Just go down and enjoy the elites tomorrow and sunday. You will not regret it.

---

------------------
@brooksdoughtie
USAT-L2,Y&J; USAC-L2
http://www.aomultisport.com

Ahh no Brownlees. Guessing that's CWG related. Still more than enough firepower to make it a great race though.

Didn't see Groff or Hursey either - interesting.

---

Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

Thanks!

Excited to see Verzbicas!

I'm going to head down tomorrow for the Men's race. I live in Lincoln Park, so just going to take the brown line down.

I wonder why. No CWG for them.

Groff pulled out with injury (nothing serious).

---

------------------
@brooksdoughtie
USAT-L2,Y&J; USAC-L2
http://www.aomultisport.com

It looks like the end of the road for LV. He doesn't swim anywhere near well enough to justify entry into this level of competition. Of course, his accident may be responsible (and we should never forget what a great recovery he has made) but it is hard to see any justification for funding him any longer.

I still remember his graceful run at Kitzbuhel back in 2012, although that was preceded by an uncompetitive swim and a similarly uncompetitive ride. And now the run has gone as well.

LV's tweet:

Congratulations @Jgomeznoya on another win. Couldn't escape my adversary today still overcoming what's left of nerve damage #temporarydefeat

---

------------------
@brooksdoughtie
USAT-L2,Y&J; USAC-L2
http://www.aomultisport.com

I had a spot in the bleachers for the last hour of the race, right near the finish. After watching the awards ceremony, I walked out towards the big white VIP tent and saw Lucas sitting in the shade looking very disappointed. His parents were with him as well. He looked like he weighed about 120lbs, super skinny.

Obviously he's not anywhere near what he was before his injury. I'm hoping he continues to improve, but you're right, he probably didn't belong in that race. He was down almost 2 minutes on the swim, about 5 minutes off the bike, and then never looked good on the run before dropping out 1/2 way through.

I've think LV has matured a lot since his injury on the mental side more than anything. I also think there is an "oh shit what now" feeling going on. I contend he just needs to learn to race and race in races where he can actually "race" (IE, lower level continental cups...2 races in the coming weeks in Toronto and Magog would be a great start). Doing an WTS event where you are swimming by yourself in the back and then maybe riding with 1 other person does absolutely nothing for your development.

---

------------------
@brooksdoughtie
USAT-L2,Y&J; USAC-L2
http://www.aomultisport.com

This must have crushed Paulo.

I think that is rock solid advice.

Makes a lot of sense to me. Hard to watch he and Pederson come out so far back. Alternating between watching from the grandstand and watching my son in the sprinkler, I didn't see when Pederson dropped the pack that he was pulling (with LV in it), but all the sudden they were behind him. I hope Lukas can continue recovering.

Talking to William Huffman after the race, I didn't realize how aggressive the swims could be. Sounds like plenty of intentional dunking, pushing, etc. That must magnify things for the weaker swimmers.

---

Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

I keep wondering if LV would meet the minimum disability threshold for ITU Paratriathlon (as an indication, amputation of one hand does). Triathlon entering the Paralympics for the first time in Rio.

FYI, the results of the sprint-distance Men's PT4 ITU Elite Paratriathlon race from Chicago (two outstanding Europeans not on the start list). http://wts.triathlon.org/...ational_event/266544

If LV is good enough to enter Elite ITU, even if he isn't performing well, he cannot conceivable claim to be a paralympian. And I'd hope that Lukas would agree that would be rather against the spirit of the whole enterprise.

I have to disagree with you here. Exhibit A being Oscar Pistorius racing both Olympics and Paralympics in the same year. I can't imagine he'll be the last, especially since he didn't even win gold in the 200 at Paralympics.

On the other hand, I'd have a hard time imagining Lukas would meet standards, but I truly don't know.

My gut says Lukas wouldn't choose to race Paralympics even if he did qualify, but he seems pretty tight with Bob Babbitt. Among many other things Babbitt co-founded Challenged Athletes Foundation, so maybe he'd try to soften Lukas's heart.

---

Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

The paralympics are for people, like Pistorius, who have limbs missing and similar major issues. There is a great dignity to it. LV just does not fall into that category: he is recovering slowly in any case whereas Pistorius was never going to grow new feet.

I don't know if he'd qualify or not. This basic list here of categories for Paralympics is much broader than missing limbs. Sounds like we agree that participation in one does not disqualify a person from participation in the other, assuming they meet the relevant criteria.

---

Aaron Bales
Lansing Triathlon Team

One important part of Paratriathlon eligibility is that the disability must be permanent. If he's already starting to recover from the crash he may have trouble classifying.

I know of three 2012 Paralympians selected for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in open elite events - N Irish sprinter Jason Smyth, English cyclist Sarah Storey and Australian table tennis player Melissa Tapper. Australian Paralympic cyclist Michael Gallagher is also (as of now) the fastest Masters pursuiter in history.

Stefan Daniel, the winner of that PT4 race in Chicago, is a teenager (born 1997). He raced the PATCO Youth Olympic Games qualifier and PATCO Junior North American Championships.

I don't know if Lukas V would meet minimum disability, but he *might*. A person I know with a broadly similar impairment was found ineligible but very close; decision to be reviewed. Need to be at least 2 years post injury before you can be classified - Lukas is almost but not quite 2 years post, right?

An interesting article that explains a lot:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...series-bicycle-crash