(Detroit Lakes, MN - August 15, 2009) Richfield's Steve Sander and St. Paul's Christina Roberts each chalked up the first victory of their respective tri careers on Saturday at the Young Life Olympic Triathlon. As expected, Sanders' chief competition came from La Crosse, Wisconsin's Brent Sinn and Elk River's Jim Graif, who placed 2nd and 3rd. His 2:04:11 lowered the men's course record by six minutes and his margin of victory over Sinn was 2:31. Graniteman founder and co-director Bill Corcoran of Waite Park took fourth. Fifth went to Buffalo's Marcus Stromberg.
With two wins thus far in '09, Bemidji's Christel Kippenhan (see Facebook photo) came into the event as the favorite. When it was all said and done, though, it was Christina Roberts who came out on top. Kippenhan took 2nd, 2:28 back. Cologne's Sarah Foley, who has been racing through various injuries this season, rounded out the women's podium. Sioux Falls' Barbara Wehde and reigning Lakefront Days champ Pam Zachman of Golden Valley, finished in the fourth and fifth positions.
The sprint race was won by Omaha, Nebraska's Lincoln Murdoch and Duluth's Tara Makinen, who placed 2nd in the 1/3 - 12 - 3 contest last year.
(Pictured: Christel Kippenhan's Facebook "photo.")
