Top female bounces back from 2000 trials
| • | First U.S. male finishes second to Canadian |
| • | 'People's race' draws almost 700 |
By Katherine Nichols
Special to The Advertiser
Barbara Lindquist wasn't about to let this moment slip by without savoring it.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
After winning yesterday's U.S. Olympic Triathlon Trials in 2 hours, 7 minutes and 21 seconds in front of tens of thousands of people in Waikiki, she paused at the finish line and raised her hands, not in victory, but in thanks, a huge grin faltering only during a brief wave of emotion.
Winning the Olympic Triathlon Trials yesterday was "absolutely sweet," said Barbara Lindquist, who earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team after finishing in 2:07:21.
Lindquist had reason to celebrate: she is going to Athens, Greece, as a member of the 2004 United States Olympic team.
She was followed closely by Liz Blatchford, a 24-year-old from Australia, in 2:07:33, and American Susan Williams, 34, in 2:07:36.
Of the 22 women in the race, Lindquist arguably has paid more than her share of dues. Ranked No. 1 in the world now, she was also the top-ranked female in 2000, but missed a berth on the Olympic team after faltering in the Texas heat, where the trials were held.
At the other end of the spectrum, this event was "absolutely sweet," she said, "a perfect race."
Though she claims to be over the trauma of 2000, it's hard to believe the disappointment didn't drive her.
Always an outstanding swimmer, she focused her training, changed her physique and reduced her already low body fat.
"She's become a runner," said Bob Babbitt, publisher of Competitor Magazine and an expert on the sport.
Added two-time Olympian Sheila Taormina, who biked the entire 40 kilometers with Lindquist and eventually finished fourth: "I think she's figured out how to deal with the heat."
The day began with nearly 1,000 athletes competing in the people's race at 6 a.m.
A Hawaiian chant, hula dancers, 'ukulele players and Warrior Vili pounding out a Tongan drumbeat welcomed the top female triathletes at 12:30 p.m. on Waikiki Beach.
They started a 1,500-meter swim in choppy waters, rode 40 hilly and windy kilometers, then began a three-lap, 10 kilometer run along Kalakaua, competing for prize money, ITU points and one precious slot on the 2004 U.S. Olympic team.
With a challenging event awaiting in Athens, Honolulu did not disappoint.
"There was no relief on that course," said Taormina, who shook her head at the five-loop bike ride that took competitors up Diamond Head and Kilauea hills five times. "It killed me."
Lindquist, 34, felt the same way, and was grateful for the teamwork during the bike ride.
"I couldn't have done it without (Sheila)," she said.
Williams, the second American, enjoyed the challenge. "I love the hills on the bike," she said. "It's definitely my strength."
She felt good about "holding her own" with the likes of Lindquist and Taormina and managing a 36:32 10K split in the heat.
A breakaway pack of four women — Lindquist, Joanna Zeiger, who dropped out on the bike due to a chronic injury, Taormina and second-ranked Laura Reback — ran to the beach ahead of the group and began cycling together.
Almost immediately, Taormina and Lindquist dropped Reback, who struggled to the finish in 10th place on an off day. Together, they led the entire bike ride.
Blatchford and Williams, trailing off the bike, posted two of the three fastest run splits of the day (in addition to Lindquist's impressive 36:46 10K) to improve their positions. Sydney Olympic triathlon gold medalist Brigitte McMahon of Switzerland was sixth in 2:15:11.
FINAL RESULTS
- Barbara Lindquist 2:07:21
- Liz Blatchford 2:07:33
- Susan Williams 2:07:36
- Sheila Taormina 2:09:07
- Julie Swail 2:14:10
- Brigitte Mc Mahon 2:15:11
- Evelyn Williamson 2:15:56
- Kelly Cook 2:16:06
- Jessi Stensland 2:16:26
- Laura Reback 2:18:24
- Amanda Pagon 2:19:22
- Courtney Bennigson 2:20:19
- Laurie Hug 2:21:34
- Patrice Wolfensberge 2:22:15
- Alexis Waddel 2:23:13
- Amanda Stevens 2:25:52
- Lauren Groves DNF
- Joanna Zeigler DNF
- Maxine Seear DNF
