Race Previews

2021 LAKE MINNETONKA PREVIEW...

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17th LAKE MINNETONKA TRIATHLON - Registration for this annual classic closed almost three weeks ago. As usual, the LMT's enrollment ceiling (500 entrants) was reached early. And while it's too late to enter, we encourage folks to either spectate or volunteer. 

Weather.com's prediction for the Excelsior area on race morning (June 19) is for partly cloudy skies, and not nearly as warm and windy as it was at Buffalo, the 2021 tri season kick-off. Temps should be in the mid 70s at race time with low humidity - 41% - and light winds - 5-10 mph.

Great competition is expected. Here are some predictions:

Overall Men: Podium Picks

1. JOSH MORK - Though he claims to be a bit out-of-shape, Josh is still our pick to win. He's thrived on this course the last two times he's raced here, placing 2nd on both occasions behind former pro Patrick Parish, who is not enrolled this year.

2. KYLE SWENSON - The 19-year-old former Junior of the Year (2019) is ready to bark with the Big Dogs, as his win at Sarasota Sprint last January attests. His three podium finishes before that were harbingers of victories to come....

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DKT & Mork Picked to Win on Sunday...

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BUFFALO TRIATHLON PREVIEW III  - In our last post we predicted various outcomes in the women's Olympic and Sprint races. Today, we are discussing the men's competitions.

OLYMPIC - Overall (Alpha Order)

JOSH BLANKENHEIM - Our choice for the silver medal on Sunday, JB is the only man in the field who has has broken 2-hours on the current Buffalo Course. He enjoyed a stellar season in 2019, winning half of the six races he did, all in impresively fast times. 

AJ MANNING (ND) - AJ ran away with the Most Improved honor last season, posting a win, two seconds and a fourth. He's our bronze medal pick, but he'll have to be...

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Great Numbers. Great Competition...

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16th BUFFALO TRIATHLON Preview II - Approximately 600 athletes are currently signed up for next Sunday's Buffalo Triathlon.That's awesome. In 2019 four hundred and sixteen triathletes crossed the finish line, so the increased registrations point to a successful rebound.

We're hoping that  by race day, 700-or more athletes will be in attendance. Help make that happen, okay?

Today we are making some predictions about the women's competition in both the Olympic and Sprint races, starting with the longer event.

Podium Predictions, in alpha order:

DIANE HANKEE - Diane has won at least  40 multisport races in her illustrious career, the most recent being the Apple Du two weeks ago. Her best finish at Buffalo was a 7th in 2011. She has not raced on the current course, that has been in place since 2015. She is a much better...

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Buffalo Olympic History - From 2015...

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Recently we shared the competitive records of the Buffalo Sprint on it's current course. Here now are that great event's Olympic records on it's current course:

16th Edition BUFFALO TRIATHLON (OLYMPIC)

Current Course (2015 - present): 1500 - 23.57 - 10K ...

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Another Slice of Apple Pie...UPDATED...

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Photo - Amy Woolsey and Pam Stevens.

SARTELL APPLE DUATHLON PREVIEW II - Our first Apple preview featured predictions for the men's race, both overall and in some of the AGs. Today, we're doing the same with the women. Once again, this is based on a listing we received a few weeks back, thus it is reasonable to assume that additional credentialed athletes have or will enroll. We will update our posts when we receive new information.

DIANE HANKEE, 43, and ELAINE NELSON, 42 - The battle for the top spot could come down to the confrontation between decorated masters, Diane Hankee and Elaine Nelson, both of whom have won this race in the past. Hankee has more experience on this course than does Nelson. In addition to her win in 2016, she had podiumed on three other ocasions. Elaine has only raced here in 2015, and she won....

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A Slice of Apple Pie...

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38th SARTELL APPLE DUATHLON PREVIEW I - About two weeks ago, Evin, who incidentaly is a HOOT!, was kind enough to send us an early signup listing for Saturday's Apple Du. Almost 250 athletes had already enrolled, so it looks like there will be a great turnout for the 2021 Minnesota Multisport Season Opener. We'd love to see 350-400 attendees. Fingers crossed.

Today, we are discussing the credentials of some of the men on the early list, starting with those who will be racing at the front of the pack. Know that it is likely that other elite amateurs, guys like PATRICK PARISH and course record holder RYAN GUILIANO (IL), will sign up between now and race day, if they haven't already done so.

TED TREISE, 27 - The sophomore pro placed 5th at Apple in 2018. His time was 1:26:09, which was almost five minutes behind the winner. Is he capable of making that up on Saturday? We think he is. Named Minnesota Triathlete of the Year in 2020, he has raced more that any of his elite in-state peers over the last year, including twice already in 2021. His rust has been knocked off and he should collect another win. ...

 

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