Florida athlete aims to join fiancé
| • | 31-story view of Waikiki sparked Olympic dream |
| • | Olympic trials to close some streets Sunday |
| • | Maps (open in new window): Honolulu Triathlon course, U.S. Olympic Triathlon trials course |
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Laura Reback would like nothing better than to join her fiancé, Greg Bennett, at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
• Where: Waikiki/East O'ahu • When: Sunday • What: 1-mile swim at Waikiki Beach, followed by a 24.8-mile bike race around Diamond Head, then a 6.2-mile run through Waikiki • Schedule: Honolulu Triathlon (age-group competition) starts at 6 a.m.; women's Olympic Trials starts at 12:30 p.m.; men's Olympic Trials starts at 3 p.m.
She just wants to go as an athlete, and not a spectator.
• What: United States Olympic Team Trials Triathlon and Honolulu Triathlon
Her first chance to do that will be on Sunday during the United States Olympic Team Trials Triathlon. It is the first time that an Olympic qualifying event is being staged in Hawai'i.
The course, which consists of a 1-mile swim, a 24.8-mile bike, and a 6.2-mile run, will take place in and around Waikiki.
"If I don't make the (Olympic) team, it's not going to be the end of the world," said Reback, 28. "But honestly? I really want to go."
Reback will have to be at her best. Only the two American winners on Sunday — the top man and woman — will earn spots on Team USA for the 2004 Olympics.
There are three spots available for the women's team, and the other two will be determined at other races in the upcoming months.
"It would be really convenient to get it done here," said Reback, who is from North Palm Beach, Fla. "But there's still other races coming up, so it's not like we have to put all the pressure on this one."
Still, Reback is considered one of the favorites.
Honolulu Triathlon festivities include: • Tomorrow, 11 a.m. First Hawaiian Tower: Honolulu Police officers vs. Hawai'i firefighters in race up staircase of tower, 651 steps. Walter Dods will fire starting gun in lobby of bank. Top finishers qualify for spot in 2005 Empire State Building run. • Friday, Torch Lighting Ceremony, 6:45 p.m. Hula mount on Kuhio Beach; 20 former Olympians, including Tommy Kono and Herman Frazier, will attend. • Saturday, Keiki Triathlon, 8 a.m. Kapi'olani Park/San Souci Beach: Kids 7 to 14 in race. • USA Triathletes visit Punahou, 11:30 a.m. tomorrow; Roosevelt, 11:30 a.m. Friday.
She is No. 2 in the International Triathlon Union (ITU) world rankings. No. 1 is Barb Lindquist from Wyoming, and No. 3 is Sheila Taormina from Michigan. All three will race on Sunday.
Scheduled events
"It's too hard to call," said race organizer John Korff. "They're about equal in ability and they happen to be the three best in the world. There really is no prohibitive favorite, and that's what makes it so exciting."
Four years ago, Reback was excited just to be participating in triathlons.
"I actually did try to make the 2000 Olympics, but I didn't expect to make it," she said. "This time is different. I feel like I've pushed myself to another level of commitment to get to this level."
After failing to make the Olympic team in 2000 by two spots, Reback traveled to Victoria, British Columbia, to train with regarded coach Lance Watson. Shortly after, she met Bennett, Australia's top male triathlete who was also training under Watson.
Bennett and Reback have since become training partners in life and triathlons. They are engaged to be married in November.
Bennett, the top-ranked male triathlete in the world, has qualified to represent Australia in the Athens Olympics.
"If you want to compete at this level, there's so much that goes into it. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally," Reback said. "Having a partner there to push you every day has definitely been a reason for my improvement."
Reback and Bennett spend about four months a year training in Australia, and another four months training in British Columbia.
"By nature, we're both very competitive, and that probably helps our relationship," Reback said. "But for me, I think what really helps is training with a guy who is at such a high level. I have to push myself every day just to keep up with his intensity level."
The last time Reback, Lindquist and Taormina participated in a triathlon together was last December, with Reback prevailing. However, she said she considers Lindquist and Taormina more friends than rivals.
"Sheila is going to be in my wedding and Barb is invited," Reback said. "So that about explains our relationship. We're all very professional. On the race course, we give it our all, but then we leave it there."
She added that there are other competitors who could sneak the Olympic spot away from the top three.
One of them is Susan Bartholomew Williams from Colorado. Williams attended elementary and intermediate school on O'ahu before moving to the Mainland.
"The top three will have the pressure on them because everybody expects them to be up there," she said. "I kind of like that I'm the underdog and that I could make the Olympic team if I have the race of my life on that one day."
NOTES: The men's and women's fields will be open to international competitors. However, only the top American finishers will earn Olympic spots. ... The top American male contenders include Hunter Kemper, Doug Friman and Joe Umphenour. ... The Honolulu Triathlon, an age-group triathlon, will take place before the Olympic trials. Entries are still being accepted at www.honolulutriathlon.com.... Olympic-style triathlons are much shorter than Ironman triathlons. Olympic-style courses usually consist of a 1-mile swim, 24.8-mile bike, and 6.2-mile run. Ironman courses, such as the world championships in Kona each year, consist of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
