2000 Race Report by John Segesta On Scott Tinley's short list of "soulful events", the St. Croix International Triathlon has traditionally drawn the finest pros in the sport, as well as a savvy host of itinerant age group athletes. The race in 2000 saw reigning Ironman World Champion Luc Van Lierde checking in for the first time, along with soon-to-be Olympians Joanna Zeiger and Carol Montgomery. A long list of other top talent combined to make this year's racing the most competitive and exciting event that the island has ever seen. GETTING BACK TO DOWNTOWN CHRISTIANSTED - THE HARD WAY "This is a tough Triathlon," Montgomery touted. "The people who come down here really love the atmosphere of the island, and they really love to race." If Montgomery includes herself among those who love to race - and you can bet she does - then she wasn't disappointed. After exiting the 2 km swim just 15 seconds behind Zeiger, who was fresh off a win at St. Anthony's, Montgomery would do battle with not just Zeiger and Karen Smyers, but also the signature feature here at St. Croix - The Beast. The Beast climbs just 600 feet, but does so in less than 3/4 of a mile. After The Beast and rest of the 55 km bike, the frenetic scramble to rack the wheels and done racing flats would leave little time for the trio to care for the hurts of a tough day in the saddle.
Into the challenging hills of the Buccaneer Run, Montgomery would assume an expected position off the front; behind her, though, was the formidable duo of Zeiger and Smyers. Before returning to the antiquated Danish architecture of downtown Christiansted, Montgomery would succumb slightly to the heat and falter - if only for a moment. On a course such as this, against a competitor such as Zeiger, a moment is all it takes. Three intravenous cocktails and a $7,000 check later, Zeiger would be refreshed enough to explain how she managed to take out one of the most talented runners in the sport: "I was trying to loosen my legs up after a tough bike. I didn't want to suffer any more than I had to on the hills, so I tried to get a comfortable pace going." But where Zeiger was comfortable, Montgomery was hurting. "Out of the Buccaneer, I could tell I was closing in on her," Zeiger continued. "I went strong, passed her, and just tried to hold it all together." And she did, keeping two of triathlons strongest women - Montgomery and Smyers - to second and third respectively. ESPRIT DE CORPS When you put Jimmy Riccitello together with his Bike, you've got a situation. When put him and his bike out on The Beast, you've got problem. This is, after all, a guy who spends his free time beating up pro cyclists in his hometown of Tucson, AZ. And for the past two years, he's used his power on the bike to collect wins here in St. Croix. But World champions take their problems in stride. Literally. Today, Luc Van Lierde looked his troubles straight in the eyes and didn't flinch. And then ran his way to a decisive, if friendly victory. "I should have been gone," Riccitello later lamented. At the top of The Beast, the consummate cyclist had collected his bike prime. But just over his shoulders were Van Lierde and Oscar Galindez - another powerful cyclist. The climb to the prime had been anyone's game; but for Riccitello, the game would end there. On the run, Van Lierde and Galindez would get to know themselves, the island, and each other, while Riccitello would spend time getting acquainted with the large pack of riders that had formed over the early trio's shoulders. (If not for the ubiquity and dedication of draft marshals, you'd have to wonder about the legality of this tight chase pack; but not here - not at Tom Guthrie's race.) Toward the run prime, Galindez would learn - with the Belgian's words of encouragement and a pat on the back - what sportsmanship is all about. And such esprit de corps would show the TV helicopters hovering above what "soulful events" are all about. But camaraderie would soon give way to competition. There was, after all, a race to be won. "It's always very difficult," reflected Van Lierde. "If you've won Hawaii, then everyone expects you to win the next race." Today, Van Leirde lived up to
those expectations, and others. In his first race since winning the Hawaii Ironman, and
his first time racing in St. Croix, the Belgian showed us all what World champions should
be: an unlikely amalgamation of graceful sportsmanship and shrewd athletic prowess.
Galindez held on for second; Riccitello faded to eighth; Denmark's Peter Sandvang ran his
way up from the big chase pack for third.
|
