(Champions Devon & Cathy celebrate with a double high-five. Photo courtesy of YndeCam.com.)
(Minneapolis, MN - July 11, 2009) St. Paul's Devon Palmer and Apple Valley's Cathy Yndestad out-raced the best amateur fields assembled for an Olympic triathlon thus far in 2009. For Palmer, it was the race of his life. For Yndestad, it was her fourth consecutive LTF-Minneapolis victory, and the 37th win of her sterling career. Finish line arithmetic had Devon and Cathy setting course records but published results said otherwise. Other standout efforts by Elite Minnesotans were turned in by Kortney Haag (4th!), Brook Mutzenberger (6th), Julie Hull (8th), Susan Williams (9th), Jeanne Fleck (11th--1st Elite Master), Heidi Keller-Miler (12th--2nd Elite Master), Rhett Bonner (14th--1st Elite Master), Dennis Dane (6th), Matthew Payne (7th) and Patrick Parish (8th).
As you can see, Minnesotans more than held-their-own against the visiting elite talent that made the pilgrimage to Minneapolis from 16 other states.
The men's pro race could not have been more exciting as three men--arguably the premier non-drafting Olympic distance racers in the World--made a gut-busting sprint to the finish. In the end, Matt Reed nipped Andy Potts by 2/10s of a second. Two time Toyota Cup Series champion Greg Bennett finished four seconds back.
The women's pro race was won decisively by Sarah Haskins. Podium recidivists Julie Dibens and Becky Lavelle took 2nd and 3rd.
A $92,000 purse was divided amongst the top 10 male and female pros. St. Paul's David Thompson placed 9th, earning $2K for his efforts.
Male Elite Amateurs Devon Palmer (MN), Jared Woodford (OH) and Gavin Anderson (IL) earned invitations (and travel and lodging stipends) to race in the Dallas US Open Toyota Cup National Championship in October. Likewise, female Elite Amateurs Cathy Yndestad (MN), Lindsay Whalen (IL) and Mandy McLane (FL) earned invitations (and travel $$). Incidently, Yndestad convincingly won the 2007 Toyota Cup EA Champs.
