PALMER & YNDESTAD WIN TURTLEMAN "DUATHLON"....

(It was a yucky day, but these fast girls--Susan Williams, Jan Guenther, Julie Hull, Erin Farrens and Sarah Viamonte--were having fun anyway. Photo by YndeCam.com.)

(Shoreview, MN - August 8, 2009) The weather wasn't ideal for racing. Though not unprecedented--were you at Life Time Fitness in 2002, or Green Lake in '05?--it was close enough.

Lightning forced the cancellation of the swim. Later, a violent, visibility-obliterating rainstorm forced, for many, the cancellation of the run. Winds gusting to a guzillion miles-per-hour wreaked havoc with the venue.

But triathletes laugh in the face of such adversity.

Well, some of them did.

In truth, only 40-44M champ Jey Carlson, who may have been heavily medicated, actually laughed. And everyone else made the most of it, because that's what triathletes do.

Endurance athletes endure.

Defending T-Man champ Cathy Yndestad almost had to endure her first loss to a fellow Minnesotan since Turtleman '06. Deciding that losing on her birthday--she turned 31 on Sunday--was unacceptable, Cathy blasted out of T2 in pursuit of Julie Hull, whose monster bike split (51:50 for 21.5 miles!) landed her in transition 1:40 ahead of the Birthday Girl.

Making up 100 seconds in a five mile run is a tall order. She had to outpace Hull by at least 20 seconds-per-mile in order to win. She prayed that Julie wasn't clicking off 6:40s.

Adrenaline and a throbbing internal desire to win summoned within her a gear she never had to use before, one that could come in handy when she toes the line at Nationals in two weeks.

Cathy Yndestad did previal. And with 48 seconds to spare. It would be a happy birthday after all, and career win #39 was in the books.

Hull, her thighs tumescent and heavy from her 25 mph ride, held on for 2nd, her best finish ever at Turtleman.

Julie will be one of the favorites next weekend at Pigman Half, a race she won in 2007 and placed 2nd (to Cathy Yndestad) at last year. It's certainly reasonable to assume that she'll have a sizable lead going into T2.

Places 3rd through fifth at Turtleman went to Waconia Elite champion Brook Mutzenberger and super-masters Jan Guenther, a four-time T-Man winner, and Mary Beth Tuttle, who was victorious here in 2007.

Due to the time trial wave start system, Devon Palmer wasn't the first to cross the finish line, the mercurial Patrick Parish was, but he (Devon) did race fast enough to come away with the win, his 4th of a season. Palmer, Parish and 3rd-through-5th Matt Payne, Sam Hauck and Dennis Dane clearly demonstrated on Sunday, as they have all season, that the future of men's multisport racing in our region is in good hands.

Turtleman Results:

YndeCam Highlights:

5th WIN FOR GROSSINGER....

(File Photo from Chisago Lakes. Brooks Grossinger en route to a personal best.)

(Nevis, MN - August 8, 2009) Mayer's Brooks Grossinger has won five of the seven editions of the Northwoods Triathlon. His triumphant 59:17 on Saturday in soggy Nevis was a very solid effort, the 2nd fastest clocking in race history and almost four minutes faster than the runner-up time of masters ace Jim Graif, 47, 0f Elk River.

Nine of the top 10 women were masters, with Bemidji's Christel Kippenhan, 44, leading the way. It was Christel's 2nd W of the season. Fourteen-time Triathlon Today! / Inside Tri All American Robin Tedlund, 50, of Duluth, who was victorious here in 2003 and 2004, took 2nd for the third consecutive year.

The race's enrollment ceiling was 350-participants and filled in 11 days.

Northwoods Results:

COMING...

Saturday...Turtleman & Northwoods Results & partial coverage..

Sunday...Green Lake Capsule Results.....

Monday...More on the weekend races...

GREEN LAKE PREVIEW...

The Green Lake Tris will celebrate their 6th anniversary on Sunday. In the men's Olympic race, South Dakota's Mark Lavin will be going for his 3rd consecutive win and there's no reason to bet against him. Additionally, Richfield's Lucas Pedersen should reach the podium for the 3rd consecutive year.

The women's Olympic race will be interesting, with 2006 Green Lake Sprint champ Mary Leedahl, who was coming out of North Dakota then and now resides in Madison, Wisconsin, facing last year's runner-up Kathleen Dewahl of St. Paul, and 2009 Paul Bunyan winner Laurel Sundberg of Minnetonka. All three of these girls have improved dramatically over the last year. This one's too close to call. (NOTE: Blue Earth's Suzie Olsen could steal a podium spot if any of the aforementioned girls falter.)

What about the Sprint race?

The women's field appears to be deeper than the men's. While Hopkin's Robert Brown should repeat for the boys, Jill Ellenbecker of Coon Rapids, Waconia's Tammy Marker, a former winner and two-time runner-up here, and Lynn Scheevel of Albert Lea, should duke-it-out over spots on the girls podium. And let's throw the ubiquitous Pam Zachman of Golden Valley, into the mix as well, despite the fact that she will have raced in Nevis on Saturday. Zachman, recent winner at Lakefront Days, was 2nd here last year.

Who should win?

Marker should be the fave but hasn't raced, or at least visibly, since 2006. Ellenbecker should pick up her first career multi win on Sunday.

NORTHWOODS PREVIEW...

(Nevis, MN - August 6, 2009) Saturday's running of the 7th annual North Woods Triathlon should feature, weather permitting, a course record effort from four-time NT champ Brooks Gossinger. Brooks' 2009 performances have fluctuated between "very good" and "brilliant" this season. Expect him to win by a two-to-three minute margin. And be surprised if anyone other than masters ace Jim Graif nabs 2nd place.

Three-time NT winner Michelle Andres is slated to defend her title. If she shows up--she hasn't raced in a Minnesota multi this year--she should do just that, though rust may prevent her from bettering her course record. (Has she been injured? Is she eschewing racing to concentrate on ironman training?) If she doesn't show, then runaway winner at Paul Bunyan Olympic, Christel Kippenhan should take the top prize.

WASECA TRIATHLON...RECAP...

Submitted by Win Multisports' Bill Nevala:

Well, August 2^nd, 2009 has come and gone and I have had a few days to reflect on the event and the work leading up to the accomplishment of Inaugural Waseca Triathlon. It seems like yesterday when I was driving down Hwy 14 west to Mankato when I first got the idea to develop a race in Waseca. Months of planning and meetings with the community leaders and townspeople of Waseca and Waseca County have helped us create a very nice event.

I have directed a number of events in the past two years and I must say that this past weekend was by far the best directing experience I have had. It comes down to this: the community of Waseca really came through and is one of the key reasons why this event was so good. I liken it to the great event cities like Annandale with the Heart of the Lakes Triathlon or Shoreview with the Turtleman Triathlon. Waseca’s dedication to community events has proven itself this year. Mayor of Waseca, Roy Srp, came to Wendy and me at the finish line on Sunday and said, “I don’t care what our city has to do, please come back and put on this event again next year. This is such a wonderful thing for our community!” Well Roy, I can assure you we will be back. I was so pleased with this event that if I had to only put on one event, it would be this event. That is saying a lot after an extremely successful 2^nd Annual Rochesterfest Triathlon back in June.

The feedback from the race has been very good. We have some things to work on for 2010, but all in all it was a home run for this first year. The unique distance of the 1/3 Iron distance race brought in some good participants. The distance is great as a stepping stone for a move up from the typical International distance to the longer Half Iron distance. The event also had a Sprint course to introduce the sport to several rookie triathletes and short course specialists like Red Wing’s Jesse Nelson, who took the Gold in the Men’s Sprint race, he commented, “I run 8-10 Sprint races around the area and this one really stacks up well with them.”

Wendy and I are feeling pleased that our event in Waseca was an overwhelming success. We have high hopes for the 2010 season for not only this event, but the 3^rd Annual Hy-Vee Rochesterfest Triathlon. Thanks to all who participated in our 2009 events! Keep swimming, biking and running folks. -BN

TURTLEMAN PREVIEW..THE BOYS..

Sam Hauck (above) is returning to his hometown of Shoreview intent on defending his Turtleman title. He's faster than he was in 2008, but so are several of the adversaries he'll face on Saturday.

Who are the guys that will try to keep Sam off the top step of the podium?

Let's start with Devon Palmer.

Palmer's victories at Life Time Fitness Elite and Heart of the Lakes are both worthy of Performance of the Year nominations. At HOLT, he managed to beat Sam by 14 seconds. In their only other confrontation--at Big Creek--last weekend, Hauck came out on top. It should be noted that Palmer raced--Firehouse 50 Team Time Trial--the day before the BCT.

Then there's Kevin O'Connor.

O'Connor finished 18 seconds behind Hauck at HOLT, and 25 seconds behind him at Big Creek. (Kevin raced with Devon the day before at Firehouse 50). He's also beaten Devon on two of the four times they have faced each other.

Then there's Dan Cohen.

Dan has won three of the six races he's entered thus far in 2009. He was 2nd behind Hauck at Turtleman last year and won the T-Man in 2007. This guy needs to be taken very seriously.

Then there's Patrick Parish, the 2nd-year triathlete who has already won five races and has proven repeatedly--Minneman, Brewhouse etc.--that he can bark with the Big Dogs.

The list of contenders does not end here. Among the other names that deserve to be dropped are those belonging to Matthew Payne, Brett Lovaas, Alex Hooke and Dan Arlandson, though Dan should still be stiff and sore after last weekend's BIG win at Full Vineman in northern California.

Despite the conspicuous absences of Curt Wood and Brian Bich, who just informed MTN that he has recently sustained a back injury, this weekend's Turtleman should be the most competitive edition ever--on both the men's and women's side--of this 26-year-old Classic.

Who will win the Age Group battles?

Here's our predictions:

* 00-19 - Brandon Onopa, 18, Long Lake (Brandon should win the 19U award, though Nick Madrinich, 19, Chaska, will have slightly faster time. By USAT rules, Nick, who ages-up in September, will be considered a 20-year-old on Saturday.)

* 40-44 - Leon Ball, 44, Minneapolis (Leon's racing well right now, as recent results at Brewhouse and HOLT attest.)

* 45-49 - Mo Mouw, 46, White Bear Lake

* 50-54 - Terry Alexander, 52, Maple Plain (Tough call here. If Dave Dow were in top shape, he'd be the favorite.)

* 55-59 - Greg Taylor, 55, Mankato (Great category with LOTS of competition!)

* 60-64 - Ben Ewers, 63, North Oaks (Strong AG but Ewers is one of the two best 60-64s--with Indiana's Steve Smith--in the U.S.)

* 65-69 - Hank Larsen, 69, Glencoe

* 70-74 - Don Meck, 70, Siren, WI

* 80+ - Bob Powers, 85, of White Bear Lake & Frank Farrar, 80, of Britton, SD will finish together!

TURTLEMAN PREVIEW....THE GIRLS...

(Friendly rivals, Cathy Yndestad and Julie Hull. Photo by Yndecam.com.)

Turtleman historically boasts incredibly field depth. The 2009 version of "Minnesota's Oldest Triathlon" certainly upholds this legacy. Only Life Time Fitness, which attracts talent from all over the U.S., drew a deeper women's--and men's, too--field than the one that will assemble in Shoreview on Saturday.

On paper, the top 8 spots appear to be earmarked for the following girls, though not necessarily in this order: Cathy Yndestad, Brook Mutzenberger, Susan Williams, Julie Hull, Kate McCann, Mary Beth Tuttle, Jan Guenther and Thea Fleming.

Here's why.

* Cathy Yndestad is the defending champion and perhaps the top female amateur triathlete in America. She has not been beaten in a triathlon by a fellow Minnesotan since August of 2006.

* Brook Mutzenberger was a member of what can be called the "Chase Pack" in 2008. This year she's caught the leaders, as her win at Lake Waconia clearly demonstrates, and has no intention of being dropped. She was 15th at Turtleman in '08. She could reach the podium this year.

* Susan Williams is simply a better triathlete today than she was in 2007, when she finished 5th at Turtleman. Her recent win at Chisago Sprint has to be good for her confidence.

* Julie Hull has cracked the top five in her last two T-Man efforts. There's no reason to believe that trend won't continue on Saturday.

* Kate McCann has podiumed in her last two Turtleman appearances. Doing so again on Saturday could insure her place on Team Minnesota '09.

* Mary Beth Tuttle won this race in 2007. Even with the shortened swim, M.B. should place in the top 5 this weekend.

* Jan Guenther may be 50, but she is still wicked fast. And she's won this race four times.

* Thea Fleming finished 2nd here in 2007 and she is enjoying a great 2009 season.

If these are the girls who will fight over the top 8 spots, who will finish in the 9th and 10th positions?

Diane Hankee appears ready to crack the top 10. So does Becky Burdick, Wendy Bengston and April Morgan, though one of these places could go to one of our state's top juniors, either Sarah Daniels, a two-time Junior of the Year nominee or Lauren Rantala, 19, who is eligible for a Rookie of the Year nomination this season. It's possible that the winner of the Daniels/Rantala duel will move into the frontrunner position for JOY. The last time these girls faced each other--Big Creek in Des Moines last weekend--Rantala came out on top.

Whatever happens in Shoreview on Saturday, it is going to be both exciting and revealing.

Who are the AG Favorites?

Here's our predictions:

* 00-19 - Shelby Woodworth, 17, Hutchinson (Sarah Daniels, 18, Savage (Sarah will have the fastest junior time, but will be ineligible for the AG award because she's racing in the Elite Wave.)

* 40-44 - Wendy Bengston, 43, Chippewa Falls

* 45-49 - Suzanne Mouw, 45, White Bear Lake (Suzann should win the division, though Mary Beth Tuttle, 46, Pine Springs, who is in the Elite Wave, will have a faster time.)

*50-54 - Carolyn Milbrath, 52, Hudson (Elite Waver Jan Guenther, 50, of Mound will have a faster time.)

* 55-59 - Pam Stevens, 57, Sartell (Lots of talent in this division! Iowa's Deb Hankens could win it.)

* 60-64 - The girl that wins this division will NOT be from Minnesota.

* 65-69 - Marsha Soucheray, 69, Shoreview (Of course!)

BREWHOUSE'S NEW RECORDS...

(Heidi Keller-Miler en route to victory at Brewhouse. Photo by Becca Dalrymple.)

The following long course records were set on August 2 at Brewhouse:

* Pro-M - David Thompson, 31, St. Paul - 1:34:05

As in 2008, Thompson won the Brewhouse in record time the day after winning the Team Time Trial (also in record time) at the Firehouse 50. On Sunday he shaved 17 seconds off his '08 CR. It was also his 3rd BHT win and the 56th of his career. David has set course records in seven of the eight races he's won thus far in 2009.

* 20-24 M - Patrick Parish, 24, Circle Pines - 1:37:01

Last year's top male rookie followed up his victory at Chisago Lakes Sprint with a 3rd place overall (2nd amateur) finish at Brewhouse. His 1:37:01 is the fastest debut by an amateur in the history of this race. It also lowered Neil Miller's 20-24M CR (set in 2006) by a husky 5:43.

* 40-44W - Heidi Keller-Miler, 44, Chaska - 1:51:51

More satisfying than lowering her own masters record, which she set in '06, by a substantive 1:34, was the fact that the time was fast enough to win the race, and by a convincing margin, at that. In fact, it was the 3rd fastest women's time in the nine-year history of this course and Heidi's 2nd win of the 2009 season.

* 45-49M - Rhett Bonner, 45, Duluth - 1:39:15

Another race, another record for Bonner, who took a humongous bite--6:57--out of the previous 45-49M course best.

* 55-59M - Bill Schmitt, 56, Duluth - 1:57:04

Schmitt is having an outstanding season. Brewhouse was his 4th 55-59 multi win this season and his 2nd course record. He took BHT's old CR, which he set last year, down by 48 seconds.

Duluth News Tribune Race Coverage:

BREWHOUSE IMAGES...

PHOTOS BY GREG FLECK: Jeanne Fleck speeding to her 2nd consecutive short course win; David Thompson en route to another course record; smooth-striding tri rookie Tara Croteau.

Despite chilly (46 degrees at 8:30 a.m.), grey and dank conditions, the 23rd Brewhouse was a wonderful event, flawlessly produced and teeming with exciting moments and special performances. MTN thanks and congratulates the event's organizers.

COHEN WINS AGAIN...

(Waseca, MN - August 2, 2009) Eden Prairie's Dan Cohen picked up his 7th career win--his 3rd of the 2009 season--in commanding fashion at the inaugural Waseca 1/3 IM on Sunday. He was especially impressive on the bike, out-splitting his nearest rival Steve Sander of Richfield, who turned in the 2nd fastest bike time of the morning, over the 33 mile bike course by 4:12. Dan's eventual margin of victory over Sander was 7:10. It was Steve's 3rd podium finish in six starts this year. Minnesota tri-pioneer Doug Davis, 42, of Lakeville, filled out the men's Top 3.

The AG performance of the day belonged to 55-year-old Greg Taylor of Mankato. Taylor, MTN's July AG Athlete of the Month, finished 8th overall.

The women's race was won by Shelley Nelson of St. Louis Park. It was the 2nd win of the year for Nelson, who could earn Most Improved nomination and a spot on Team Minnesota at season's end.

With her runner-up effort at Waseca, Suzie Finger, also of St. Louis Park, continues to strengthen her status as Rookie of the Year frontrunner. St. Paul's Katherine Schlaefer placed 3rd.

Shelley's older brother Jesse and White Bear Lake's Amy Klosterman, 47, won the Sprint Course (1/4 - 14 - 4.4) race. It was Jesse's 2nd victory of the weekend. On Saturday, he won the Lake Minneswaska Triathlon in Glenwood.

Second and third in the men's sprint were Matthew Priess of Minneapolis, and 51-year-old Bill Baker of Winona. Amber Lutz of Minnespolis, and Michelle Creasman of Morristown, went 2-3 for the women. Lutz won the inaugural Trinona Sprint on June 14.

Waseca Results:

Waseca Video:

MINNESOTANS AT BIG CREEK TRI...

Here are how the top Minnesotans fared at Iowa's Big Creek Olympic Distance Triathlon in Des Moines on Sunday, August 2:

Men:

3. Sam Hauck (Shoreview) - 1:54:19

4. Kevin O'Connor (Medina) - 1:54:44

5. Devon Palmer (St. Paul) - 1:55:29

12. Michael Williams (Maple Grove) - 2:05:07

15. Ben Trnka (LaCrescent) - 2:06:23

Men's winner - Nathan White (Des Moines) - 1:53:00

Women:

6. Lauren Rantala, 19 (Eden Prairie) - 2:25:52

9. Sarah Daniels, 18 (Savage) - 2:27:56

Women's Winner - Emily Dewald (Bloomington, IL) - 2:09:17

Big Creek Results:

NELSON & HOKANSON TRIUMPH AT LAKE MINNEWASKA..

(File Photo: Jesse Nelson at Oakdale Duathlon)

(Glenwood, MN - August 1, 2009) Red Wing's Jesse Nelson and Kadie Hokanson of Alexandria, were crowned champions at this year's Lake Minnewaska Triathlon in Glenwood on August 1. Nelson, collecting his 3rd win of the season, covered the 500-yard-10.2-2.5 route in 47:26, 46 seconds ahead of runner-up Andy Tate of Minneapolis. Former Chain of Lakes champ Joe Schneiderhan, 43, of Alexandria, was 3rd.

Hokanson's 56:05 was 1:52 faster than Rosemount's Angie Mracek's 2nd place time. Local athlete, Jodi Sussner was 3rd.

Lake Minnewaska Results:

Record-breaking day at Brewhouse

A record turnout of 735 athletes enjoyed cool and cloudy conditions today at Pike Lake near Duluth.

Jonathan Balabuck of Thunder Bay was top amateur male at Brewhouse Tri Long Course and Heidi Keller-Miler took the women's title, setting a new master's record in the process (and beating former Best-of-the-U.S.-er Marlo McGaver). Brian Bich was top male master and pro David Thompson set a new overall course record.

The short course race was won by Jeanne Fleck of Proctor (also a master) and Chris Sachs of White Bear Lake. - Trudy Marshall

Complete results

ARLANDSON WINS FULL VINEMAN AGAIN!

(Santa Rosa, CA - August 1, 2009) Burnsville's Dan Alandson has done it again. In 2008, he won California's Full Vineman for which he earned the Performance of the Year award.

Well, on Saturday he won the 2009 version of that venerated event, and did so 4:45 faster than last year.

Famed triathlon writer Timothy Carlson posted this capsule on Slowtwitch.com.

COMING...

Saturday - Lakefront Days capsule & Results...(See Below)

Sunday - Partial Coverage of Brewhouse & Wasceca with Results...

Monday - Lake Minneswaska Results & Minnesotans at Big Creek...

Tuesday - Turtleman Preview...

PAM & ANDY WIN IN DAKOTA COUNTY..

(Prior Lake, MN - August 1, 2009) Pam Zachman, 44, of Golden Valley, picked up her 2nd win since returning to the sport of Triathlon in 2004 after a 15-year layoff, at the Lakefront Days Triathlon in Prior Lake on August 1. Pam's male partner in the Winners Circle was local triathlete Andy Schiesl. According to MTN's records, this is Schiesl's first career multisport win.

Angie Hong of Savage, and Eden Prairie's Katie Thompson filled out the women's podium. Chip Tabor of St. Louis Park, placed 2nd in the men's race for the second consecutive season, and 2008's 4th place finisher Jonathan Falkowski of Lakeville, moved up to 3rd this year.

Three hundred athletes registered for today's race and 269 finished.

Lakefront Days Tri Results:

HANK, BEN & BOB - MINNESOTA'S NATIONAL CLASS 60-PLUSSERS!

Bob Bailey, Ben Ewers and Hank Larsen are three of the best over-age-60 mulisportsmen in America. Ewers, in fact, is probably the very best 60-64 triathlete in the Land. And there may not be a faster 69-year-old swimmer-biker-runner in the U.S.A. than Larsen. And Bailey may well return from North Carolina next month with a World Duathlon Championship medal around his neck.

There are many talented 60-plussers in our state, but these guys are currently setting the highest standards. Here's what they've done thus far in 2009:

* Bob Bailey, 65, Woodbury

Divisional wins at Winter Be Gone, Falls Duathlon, Apple Worlds Qualifier & Du the Dam, where he finished 9th overall!

* Ben Ewers, 63, North Oaks

Divisional victories & course records at Albert Lea, Buffalo Olympic, Lake Minnetonka, Lake Waconia & Graniteman. He also dominated his division at the prestigious Vineman 70.3 (4:58!), winning by almost 40 minutes.

* Hank Larsen, 69, Glencoe

Divisional winner at Oakdale Duathlon, Gear West, Lake Waconia and Heart of the Lakes. He lowered his own divisional record at HOLT. He finished 2nd in his division (behind Bob Bailey) at The Apple.

(Photos: Bob Bailey running at The Apple and Ben Ewers after the Lake Waconia.)

TIMBERMAN IMAGE...

MTN thanks the Savstrom Family for submitting this, and other, images from this year's Timberman Triathlon.

HONORARY MINNESOTAN...

Thunder Bay's Jonathan Balabuck has been racing, and winning, in Minnesota for almost a decade. He'll be one of the favorites at the Brewhouse Triathlon in Duluth this Sunday.

Great border state athletes like Marnie Walth (ND), Melanie Carvell (ND), Rob Gilles (ND) and Kim Fordham-Lien (SD), who have raced often on Minnesota soil, have been nominated for (and on occasion, have won) Minnesota Multisport Awards and spots on Team MN. Perhaps this will be the year that an athlete from The Great White North--Jon Balabuck-- receives MMA consideration?

Why?

Check out Jon's Minnesota scorecard for the last four seasons:

2009:

1st @ Liberty Half - 4:13:09

2nd amateur @ Buffalo Olympic

5th @ Chisago Half - 4:00:22

2008:

1st @ Duluth Duathlon

1st @ St. Croix Valley Sprint - Course Record

2nd @ Timberman

4th @ Brewhouse

4th @ Pigman Half

2007:

2nd @ Duluth Duathlon

2nd @ Liberty Half

4th @ Brewhouse

10th @ Apple Duathlon

2006:

1st @ Duluth Duathlon

1st @ Chisago Lakes Half

4th @ Buffalo Olympic