Hot

It was a smoker this morning at the 25th St. Anthony's Triathlon, in sunny St.Pete (winter home of the Yankees and Legends Field). An incredibly deep Pro field spashed in at 0650 followed by almost 4,500 age groupers, relay members and the ever vigilant Team in Training. (Go Team). It was a stunning start with an appropriate orange sun rising over the 74 degree waters of the Bay. Our main 70.3 man, Andy Potts was the first one out of the water, but fellow CT'er Matt Reed caught him on the bike and eventually bested him at the finish by 20 seconds. Reed's bike split of 54:10 was the fastest of the day. That is a 27.5mph avg. kids!!! Sarah Haskins took top female honors, going under 2hrs (YES) and looks to be in fine form to rep Uncle Sam in Bejiing come August. Them's the fax jax and even though I am personally boycotting the Games (used without permission), acknowledgement of Matt and Sarah's performances today probably won't land me in a Tibetan gulag. The top ten Pro Men and Women is below for your bewilderment.

Grabbed some great video at the start and Don and I did TWO complete 24.7 loops on his powder blue Honda Gold Wing, mixing it up smoothly with the field. Race director Phil La Haye and his staff do an outstanding job with this event and the clenliness, security and ammenities out on the semi-technical course go along way to keep this event the 3rd largest Oly distance in the world. It is a fun day, well run, well supported and well attended. The RCV, despite the lack of elevation gain (or loss) will be a winner as Phil told me yesterday that there are annually almost 800 first time particiipants. And that, dear friends, is where the growth is. Since I was lugging around the Canon A1 all day shooting HD, I didn't have a chance to get many stills. The ones I did manage don't do service to the spirit of the race, so, with your kind permission, I will beg for a week to Kung Fu the trailer together (which I know you like) and post the highlights via video vice jpeg. Cool? No, hot. Very hot. 90. I feel like Jimmy Buffett's hibachi. So adios amigos, I am going somewhere for something shady and wet.

Top 10 Elite men

1. Matthew Reed (USA) 1:46:34
2. Andy Potts (USA) 1:46:52
3. Greg Bennett (AUS) 1:47:43
4. Craig Alexander (AUS) 1:49:41
5. Richie Cunningham (GBR) 1:50:39
6. Kevin Collington (USA) 1:50:42
7. Stephen Hackett (AUS) 1:50:47
8. Marcus Ornellas (BRA) 1:51:42
9. David Thompson (USA) 1:51:50
10. Paul Ambrose (AUS) 1:53:20

Top 10 Elite women

1. Sarah Haskins (USA) 1:59:24
2. Rebeccah Wassner (USA) 2:00:34
3. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 2:01:52
4. Samantha McGlone (CAN) 2:02:35
5. Becky Lavelle (USA) 2:02:56
6. Julie Dibens (GBR) 2:03:04
7. Nina Kraft (GER) 2:03:31
8. Cynthia Wilson (CAN) 2:05:04
9. Bree Wee (USA) 2:05:18
10. Alicia Kaye (USA) 2:06:11