The 2006 Vineman Ironman 70.3-mile triathlon on July 30 looks to
be a ³champions battle² of sorts as world, Ironman and former
Vineman champions headline the field. Picking a winner could be
difficult, with a world class pro field racing for $25,000 in prize
money.
The men¹s race is headlined by former Vineman winners Chris
Lieto, Chris Legh, and two time World Champion Tim DeBoom. Also,
making their first appearance at Vineman are: recently crowned
Ironman Arizona Champion Michael Lovato, five-time World Champion
Simon Lessing and a legend in the sport, six-time Ironman World
Champion Dave Scott.
The 2002 Vineman winner, Chris Lieto, has made an impressive
start to his 2006 campaign with a win at Ironman Japan and a second
place at Ironman Malaysia. Defending Champion DeBoom has been
suspiciously motivated and active this spring with a third place at
Ironman Arizona and another third at the Florida Ironman 70.3
race.
The 1996 Vineman winner Chris Legh returns to Sonoma County with
a streak of wins in 2006 already under his belt. Since retiring
from Ironman competition in April, Chris has set his sights on the
Ironman 70.3 series and already has two victories (Baja 70.3 and
Eagleman Ironman 70.3) to his credit this year.
If the favorites aren¹t on their best form there are a handful
of other athletes that will be happy to take home a paycheck.
Included in this group will be young American TJ Tollakson and
Australian¹s Joshua Dix, Matthew Clark, and 2005 Ironman Malaysia
Champion Courtney Ogden. Other male pros scheduled to be on the
start list include; Brian Lavelle, Matt Lieto, Jordan Rapp, Andrew
Kelsey and Michael Sevier.
Equally impressive is the women¹s pro race. The start list is
headlined by Ironman Champions Heather Fuhr (1997 World Champion
and 15 Ironman wins), Lori Bowden (2-time world champion and 12
Ironman wins), Kate Major (2004 Ironman USA, 2005 Ironman Arizona)
and rising American stars Desiree Ficker and Linsey Pickell.
Fuhr is not only known for her racing accomplishments but her
prowess for baking treats at Christmas time for friends and
neighbors. A stellar running ability launched her to an Ironman
World Championship win in 1997 and she has never looked back.
Since then she has accumulated 15 Ironman titles. The equally
energetic Bowden will be returning to the Vineman Ironman 70.3 as
part of her preparations for a return to the Ironman World
Championship this October in Kona, Hawaii.
Lori has returned to racing this year after a hiatus to become a
new mom. Lori won the former Half Vineman back in 1997 as a rising
young star. In the mix with Bowden and Fuhr will be young
Australian Kate Major. Though she is still early in her career,
Major has two Ironman championships and two third place finishes at
the Ironman World Championships to her credit.
Two others chasing those three will be up and coming American
stars Ficker and first-year pro Pickell. Tri-Dubai star Ficker has
been knocking on the door of her first big triathlon win and is as
much a favorite as any of the other women who will toe the line on
July 30th.
Pickell who recently finished 7th overall at Ironman Coeur
d¹Alene is touted by many to be the next female American triathlon
star.
The professional athletes are competing for $25,000 in prize
money and Ironman World Championship 70.3 qualifying spots. Racing
alongside the pros, 2,000 age-group athletes will be competing for
30 qualifying spots to the 2006 Ironman World Championships to be
held in Kona, Hawaii this October and 100 spots to the Ironman
World Championship 70.3 in November in Clearwater, Florida.
‹ Contributed by Dave Latourette
