Old Mission Viejo event rebirth?

Triathlon Forum
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try posting this at www.teamvelosport.com
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There was a bad accident in '93. Bike vs. van at an intersection and the cyclist wound up paralyzed. He sued and the case settled in '96 for a lot of money (+/-$4M). Everyone (event, city, sponsors, cops) got sued and I don’t know who wound up paying what but the race died in '95 or '96. I suspect it was because of the accident/lawsuit but I don’t know that for sure. NATS (fka USTS part II) revived or reincarnated the event in Oceanside in '97. Dan chronicles his involvement in those efforts here:

http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/features/series.html

I would love to see the event come back, particularly in Mission Viejo, and I can think of a lot of good reasons why it should (strong tri-community, strong grass-roots support for community-based participant sports, lots of dollars, lots of nice locations, etc.). Unfortunately, a lot of good people have gotten hurt trying to build, save and/or revive the race so I am not holding my breath.

That said, if anyone out there is undeterred, I will be the first to sign up and volunteer to help.

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Volunteering at the Orange County Performing Arts Center Triathlon in Mission Viejo in 1991 was what got me hooked on triathlon. As I was working an aid station on the run, handing out water, I remember thinking “Wow. These people just swam a mile, rode almost 25, and are now running a 10k. I want to do this next year.” And I did. It was my first Olympic-distance race.

In 1996, the race was the US national Championship.

In the earlier days of the race, Mission Viejo was almost on the outskirts of the developed portions of eastern Orange County. Holding a triathlon back then was much easier from a traffic impact standpoint than it would be today, with the development of Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Las Flores, Ladera, etc.

As far as the traffic accident is concerned, I believe it was Jim McLaren that was the cyclist that was hit.

I remember one of the guys from Pacific Sports (who were directing the race at the time) saying that it was easier to get a permit to hold a triathlon in downtown Cleveland than it was to get a permit to do a race in Mission Viejo.

I would love to see a reincarnation of this race, but doubt it would happen.

Jeff