A story on the U. S. naming its team for the 2002 World Road Cycling Championships

The great part is that Guido Trenti, of Acqua e Sapone, made the team! Who is Guido Trenti? Well, he is a guy who does not speak English, who has never raced in America, and who has never even lived in the U. S. He did however visit the U. S. once when he was very small. How the hell did that happen? Well, his mother was an American who married an Italian. So he does hold citizenship in the U. S. He also began racing under a U. S. license in 1999, so he could ride for our team at the World Championships.

10:53:03 PM    comment []

A story of a triathlete living life large!

Ever dream about catching a game winning pass in a playoff game? How about a HR in the National league playoffs? While that will be impossible for most athletes, sometimes triathletes can make it happen in their sport. Amateurs and pros usually compete together in Ironman triathlons. While the pros usually pull away from the amateurs, sometimes a swim specialist can beat them out of the water. They live that dream for a short time.

A swim specialist is usually a college swimmer who comes into the sport of triathlon. While needing to learn the bike and the run, they have the swim down pat. Robbie Allen got into the sport when masters swim meets became just too boring. At Ironman USA in Lake Placid this year, Robbie decided to catch the pros who had a 10 meter start in the 2.4 mile swim. He caught the ones at the rear, and kept trying to catch more. He reached a point when he could not see anymore up ahead of him. Thinking the lead pack was getting away, he slowed an got a good look. He then realized that he was leading an Ironman. Like most swim specialists, he faded on the bike. He had a great day however, and got face time on the TV coverage of the event. A great story!

10:40:56 PM    comment []