What an unreal finish to the men’s race!!
Simon takes one for Canada by one second over Andy Potts…
Pretty amazing race…
I was just going to post this. 29:52 10k for Whitfield! Reed takes third also.
Samantha Warriner had an unreal 10K to win the womens race too! It didnt have the drama of the men’s race though…
(((yawn)))
How bout the womens! Woot woot!!!
Potts runs a 29:56, i believe. This must be one of his best races/runs, showing that he can now run with the world’s best. Correct me if i’m wrong.
Figures another Canadian Trevor would beat me to the post! lol
tfun~
Considering next week’s huge World Cup in Des Moines, do you think they’ll be able to recover in time?
FYI - next week winner gets $200K and a Hummer(I’m guessing the car)
Andy Potts did Alcatraz last week, and 2nd this week.
Hopefully Simon can get some rest this week (although his first kid is supposed to be born any day now) and get a good result next week. That race next week is worth some serious $$$$$!
I went down to Second Beach today to try to see him cross the finish line, and he looked fast and fine! First place in style! Congratulations Simon!
Beeautiful Race. Very proud of Whitfield~
Nice race Simon…must have been the paddles!!!
Phenomenal races by Whitfield, Potts, and Reed. There’s a definite theory that having a child leads to awesome results right after - Potts has been on fire post son being born; Matty’s a relatively new Dad; and, if Simon W. has his child this week and races Des Moines, my money is on him - period. It will be interesting to hear whether the Americans did, in fact, work as a team on the women’s side, with Oenick and Groff maybe holding back the chase for Haskins and McClarty. Either way, what a run for Warriner - 33:56 for a legit 10K after the bike.
Next week’s ITU in Des Moines should be amazing! I almost changed the date of our Sprint Triathlon back in January just to be able to see it; but, I’ll have to settle for a video replay in the afternoon. Snowsill, Fernandes/Whitfield, Robertson, Potts, Bennett, Gomez???
kids. the new PEDs?
I watched the Mens and Womens race today and it was great to be there. A bit wet at times but overall a pretty good day. I hope that the Web broadcast was better than the live broadcast as the announcer on site was the worst I have ever heard. Well I did not hear much so I guess I can not really say that. She was brutal. She only announced the first 3 guys and that was it. We had 3 Canadians in the top 7 and they did not even announce it.
To top it all off, Steve King the official and only person in the world that can announce Ironman Canada (I was standing with him during the whole run) was there and was giving everyone standing next to him all the facts about every racer in the field for the most part. This guy is an encyclopedia of information. If they do not use Steve King for the World Championships next year the ITU are complete idiots. Oh they already are after the horrible effort today.
They also have to change up the transition area a bit. With all the men coming out of the transition area at one time, they had this barricade in the middle that forced the men out to the sides to get out on the run. This needs to be taken away for the Championships next year. It was horrible seeing these guys trying to get out of transition.
I was also able to watch the cycling portion of the mens race with one of the editors of Triathlete Mag (an acquaintance for my old neighborhood) which as fun as well with getting the information from the race and getting his in-site on the race and the athletes.
Overall the race was very well run with some minor things to improve on. The mens race was great to watch and I could not believe how much time the lead guys put into the rest of the pack. Simon, Andy and Matt were so very fast on the run. Damn can these guys run.
If I am healthy next year, I would not mind doing this race course as it looks to be a lot of fun.
I also was able to get a close up look at some of the pro’s bikes. Simon was on a Lightspeed Siena with QR aero forks, full Dura-Ace kit with Tubeless Dura-Ace wheels and chopped down Hed Flip-lites. Brent McMahon was on his custom frame with Sram and full Easton Kit (aerobars, stem, handlebars, wheels, seatpost and forks). It is very interesting to see how these guys set up their bikes.
Will the World Champs next year be held on this course to?
The race was definitely exciting. Super good showing from both the Canada and US teams, both men and women. Czone should be happy that things are coming together.
The age-group course was completely different from the pros. The age-group run was long… judging from the times it looked like they threw in an extra lap where one ought not to have been.
The only sameness between age-group and elite courses was the swim and one straight on the bike. Don’t know if this will be the same next year or not. For such a huge event turn out was rather small, though traffic was crazy trying to get to the ferries afterwards. I’ve got tons of great pics, I’ll resize and post 'em soon.
How cold was the water? Anyone?
I watched the race live and Whitfield was on fire, out of the water with the fast swimmers, strong on the bike on a very tough bike course, and strong on the run. Although I would argue that if that run time is accurate they would’ve been running the slowest fast sub-30 10km I have ever seen. Granted they were running fast, but they were not running a sub-30 10km pace; the course was obviously short. I was particularly amazed at the bike strength of Potts…he’s a really good climber for such a big guy!
As promised, here are the pics:
Women’s swim start
Crazy chicane at bottom of long downhill. Rained off and on during the women’s race.
Jill Savege (in Red) was rocking an Ordu with drops.
Lauren Groves making one of many passes out on the run course.
Women’s winner ran down over 2 minute deficit off bike, very gutsy and exciting to watch.
Random bearded guy
Lead pack bike: 3 Canadians, 3 Americans and a Russian. 2 Litespeeds in a sea of carbon.
These guys worked together to put over 2 minutes into the chase packs.
This hill worked 'em over 8 times. Chase pack #1.
These 3 flew from start to finish.
Kyle Jones leads a chase pack on the run. This kid is going to be really good, very soon.
Whitfield and Andy Potts prove too quick for Reed.
Simon makes his move that ends in a 2 second decision at the line…
Anyone who says ITU racing isn’t exciting has never seen this kind of racing: flat out, hard working and strategic. Extremely entertaining 2 hours on a June afternoon.
I doubt you’ll hear too many arguments claiming that the run course wasn’t short.
Is Simon a DAD already??? 
congrats