Who’s going to be the next two members of the USA Team in Athens? My guess is Shelia T. and Brian F. making the team at World’s this weekend. Z
i like sheila as well, but brian has been really flat the past two races. i’m going to go with victor plata. that guy is always peaking at the right times.
Victor had a great race in Honolulu - so did Andy Potts! Smedley or Friman could also pull off a great race this weekend. The men’s team is wide open. I’m pulling for Brian, because he’s from Florida! Z
i’m predicting sheila t and potts. it is apperant that there are different members of the slowtwitch community pulling for different athletes that they may have connections to. but all in all, when athens hits, it’s all about the stars and stripes baby (for us US slowtwitchers anyway)
Overall, don’t you think the USA selection process is better this year than last time? If I recall, there was a 1 race qualifier 4 years ago. This year, there’s 2 races and a wild card. Therefore, an athlete can have an off day (like Linquist 4 years ago) and still make the team. Also, there’s no “judges choice” in the USA - unlike AUS.
I agree - the process is much better than in 2000 - they did have two qualifiers in 2000 - Dallas and the Sydney World Cup - both Barb and Siri did not race well so our best to athletes were not on the starting line. This time around the process should make sure that we have a great chance in Athens.
Saw a picture of the Sydney women’s race in Inside Tri - AUS really missed the boat on not picking Michellie! 4th place in the worlds ranking - (after Barb, Shelia and Laura) winner of the Athens practice race last year and the silver in 2000.
What in the world were the Aussies thinking? Z