She had one break through race at Kona 2 years ago. Since then not really a contender it seems. I could be wrong, but in all the big races she seems outclassed latelt.
Up until this spring, I believe she was more focused on marathon running and ran in the Olympic Trials. So maybe now she returns her focus to IM.
clm
she won timberman and ironman south africa 70.3 within the last year… i don’t exactly call that “falling off.”
Des seems like a lovely girl and she has done pretty well in a few races but I think that after her second in Hawaii she bacame the most overhyped female triathlete in the sport,especially within the Nth American tri community.
I thought she was shooting for an olympic bid this year, that may be why her focus may have shifted to shorter distance stuff.
she was but for the marathon not tri.
I agree. That and she is reasonably attractive for a pro triathlete.
She had one break through race at Kona 2 years ago. Since then not really a contender it seems. I could be wrong, but in all the big races she seems outclassed latelt.
Dude, if you think this is an off year for her… I’ll take it any year!
Unfortunately she has hit a bad spot again around 14 miles into the run today…
Ficker slows dramatically
Desiree Ficker ran into nutrition problems in Coeur d’Alene, and appears to be having problems again here in Lake Placid. She’s dropped well back in the standings through 14 miles.
HILLARY BISCAY (#41) leads, followed by:
- KIM LOEFFLER (#39) at 45 seconds
- CAITLIN SHEA-KENNEY (#42) at 9:10
- DANIELLE SULLIVAN (#47) at 15:10
- JACQUI GORDON (#44) at 18:40
- DESIREE FICKER (#40) at 19:02
she also finished 2nd at Boise 70.3 to Kate Major. I’d say it’s probably more just a rough patch…
Because she is fast, beautiful, and a pleasant person to be around.
I’ll shed some light on this top from the course today.
Desiree is a lean ripped girl. The rain was not supposed to come till 1pm. She was wearing only a tri top exposing here totally cut abs (yes she is hot). She was not the only athlete, pro or age grouper dressed that way. The torrential ran started in the swim. At some point on run loop2, she just tailed off…likely had cramps and was cold…but she FINISHED and a HUGE congrats is due.
Dev
That's what I've heard from my friends who know her.This is a sport though and it takes more than good looks to be a great athlete.She is great pr for our sport though.I certainly like having her out there.
are you saying she lack in good results??? she just did OLYMPIC TRIALS…
Yes,Olympic trials,not the Olympics and she didn't qualify, she came 79th.All I'm saying is that she was overhyped as the next great hope for American Ironwomen after her 2nd in Hawaii.I never said she wasn't a good triathlete but her results have not met the hype.Her results in triathlon events over the last two years show that.I'm quite sure she would not so be happy with this year either.
I’d have to agree with AussieNick. Des is a great asset to triathlon but she is not at the same level as Wellington or a healthy Badmann. When she got her 2nd at Kona a few years ago she had an amazing marathon leg but she has not been able to duplicate that result.
Dev,
Way to go out there today!
Now back to the topic at hand, there was mention that Des was blue lipped and shaking at the run turnaround. I think you are right that the weather got to her as much as anything. Her fellow Austinite, James Bonney, also supposedly had HR issues and abandoned due to the weather/cold.
I am a huge fan and was glad she gutted out a finish.
Some people don’t do well in the cold, some do. Coming from Austin, 60’s and rain is extremely TOUGH to deal with. Has she won an IM in the last 2 years? No, but she’s had some great results.
I think everyone who’s raced IM can understand that things happen. I can think of quite a few instances where top contenders DNF’ed or had bad days in MANY events, including Kona. How’d Michellie Jones do last year in Kona? How 'bout Stadler a few years back? They’re great champions, but sometimes shit happens in the course of 140.6 miles, on the day you’d least like it to.
The other problem with IM racing is that you can’t redeem yourself the following week, unless you’re Hillary Biscay or Vabrousek:)
Yes,Olympic trials,not the Olympics and she didn't qualify, she came 79th.
did you watch the trials marathon dude? She went out with the leaders, presumably knowing that it was a long shot to make the team but wanting to put herself in a position to make it possible. She blew up and didn’t make the team, but once she was firmly outside the top three it didn’t matter what place she finished. At the US trials in t&f, the top three make the team and everybody else goes home. There is no sense in running a well paced race that nets you fifth place. If you show up at the trials, you may as well try to make the team.