Ironman Hawaii World Championships 2011

Pro athletes from around the world have spent the year trying to earn enough points to take part in the big show in Kona, and what a race it's going to be.

Add about 1800 age-group athletes who have qualified in races around the world plus 200 lottery winners and it promises to be a great day for the Ironman family on October 8, 2011.

CHECK BACK HERE FOR A LINK TO MY IRONMAN HAWAII RACE RESULTS PAGE WHEN THE TIME COMES.

It was almost a year ago when the journey began for the best Ironman pros in the world to secure their spot in Kona for the Ironman Hawaii World Championships 2011.

It all started back at Ironman Wisconsin 2010 and also at the natural beauty of the Ironman 70.3 course in the Muskoka region in Canada.

Ultimately there will be 80 of the best pro triathletes in the world taking a shot at being first across the storied finish line on Ali'i Drive in Kona.

It is no doubt the Mecca of the Ironman world that has seen so drama, so much heart-ache, and of course the elation of victory when one secures a spot in the record books of the most iconic endurance events in the history of sports.

MIRINDA CARFRAE

The scoring system to earn a spot in Kona is not all that complicated.

For starters athletes can score points in their five best races of the year.

They can take part in 10 races if they want, but only five can be used for qualifying points.

It's necessary to do five races either. A pro can compete in 3 or 4 if they like, however at least one of the races must be an Ironman and the total cannot include any more than 3 70.3 events.

SO WHO IS GOING TO WIN ANYWAY?

Every pro seems to have their game plan. They map out their races over the year and hope that they can peak for the big day and at the same time avoid the injuries that seem to be more prevalent as the heat is on to qualify.

Or you can be like Mary Beth Ellis and win Ironman's Regensberg, Austria, and Canada all in an 8-week period. Holy crap Mary!

MARY BETH ELLIS

It was a thrill to be at the finish line at Ironman Canada and see Mary Beth Ellis win and break the course record set by Erin Baker some 21 years ago. Actually, I was in that race as an age-grouper and had one of my best races ever.

Check this page for IRONMAN CANADA RESULTS 2011

I remember how ideal the conditions were 21 years ago and it's amazing that in the heat of the day at Ironman 2011, Mary Ellis was able to post such a fast time under less than ideal conditions.

Also happy to say that I picked Mary to win both Ironman Austria and Ironman Canada on the Ironstruck website days before the races.

Hey Mary! I think that means you have to autograph a shirt for me or something because I am not doubt your good luck charm and picking you to win in Kona in an epic battle against Chrissie Wellington.

Fully expect Mirinda Carfrae, Samantha Warriner, Kelly Williamson, Caroline Steffen and Katie Bevilaqua to be in the mix for a top five placing.

Chrissie Wellington has been keeping a low profile and resting up for one big effort in Kona.

Most athletes would seem to be over-raced with 3 Ironman wins inside of 3 months but some athletes like Mary Beth thrive on constant racing so we will see what happens. She has a great coach in Brett Sutton and you just know he will have Mary Beth ready for a top effort.

One thing is for sure. It's going to be a memorable race in Kona this year.

SOFIE GOOS

Best of luck to all these amazing pro women Ironmen who constantly inspire so many and who continue to raise the bar in the sport.

To think that it was just back in the 1984 Olympic Games in L.A. that women were first able to compete in the Olympic Marathon.

Up until the Ironman came along in the late 1970's endurance events for the most part were strictly male-dominated.

HERE ARE THE TOP THIRTY WOMEN QUALIFIERSSteffen Caroline......12650 Van Vlerken Yvonne....9185 Carfrae Mirinda.......8965Thuerig Karin.........8550 Stewart Tyler.........7480 Cave Leanda........7470 Dibens Julie..........7400 Bij De Vaate Heleen...7180Williamson Kelly......7090Marsh Amy.............6920 Loeffler Kim..........6780 Joyce Rachel..........6760Tajsich Sonja.........6275 Morrison Catriona.....6250 Ellis Mary Beth.......6200 Felt Silvia...........6170 Wurtele Heather.......6165 Csomor Erika..........6120 Berasategui Virginia..6050 Deckers Tine..........5870 Zelenkova Lucie.......5805Goos Sofie............5790 Bevilaqua Kate........5525 Snow Caitlin..........5305 Wellington Chrissie...5250 Corbin Linsey........5245Stevens Amanda........5160 Nishiuchi Maki........5045 Warriner Samantha.....5035Riesler Diana.........4980

Erika Csomor and Diana Riesler gave up their Kona spots and will not be competing in Kona.

THE FIVE FINAL PRO WOMEN WHO WERE OFFERED SPOTS:Mary Beth EllisMaki NishiuchiMiranda AlldrittJackie ArendtJoanna Lawn

So how about the men's race? You can't help but like Jordan Rapp to do well after his gutsy win in Ironman Canada.

Although it is a different sort of heat than the humidity of Kona, Jordan showed that he can handle the hot temperatures and it was a hot one in Penticton at Ironman Canada 2011.

JORDAN RAPP

Although I picked Jordan Rapp to win Ironman Canada, I am a bit hesitant about picking him as the winner in Kona this year. However a top-five is very possible.

Many top triathletes over the years have claimed just how difficult it is to compete in Ironman Canada in late August and than again in Kona less than 2 months later.

This is especially true because a top effort is necessary to do well in Kona and the least bit of weakness and even the best pro can easily be left behind by someone more rested and peaking just for the one race.

So now we haveJordan Rapp and Mary Beth Ellis both attempting the Canada-Kona double with the two races just 5 weeks apart.

RAYNARD TISSINK

Peter Reid was able to win both Penticton and Kona, but said it was very challenging and he would not recommend it.

**THIS JUST IN** Jordan Rapp has just declined his slot for Kona. This means that Matt Reed will be going.

This does not surprise me at all and just reinforces what I have been saying. It is extremely demanding to take on Ironman Canada and Ironman Hawaii just 5 weeks apart.

Jordan Rapp gave an all-out effort in Ironman Canada. The conditions of the day were also very difficult with extreme heat and high winds plus he recently recovered from serious training injuries.

One can't help but think that this is a wise and very professional decision that Jordan has made. There will be other years.

That just leaves Mary Beth Ellis to try and pull of this difficult Penticton/Kona double win.

I believe Raynard Tissink is going to be right up their in the bike, but I am leaning more towards Ben Hoffman, Craig Alexander, Tj Tollakson, and Andreas Raelert to battle it out for the win.

If the other Raelert(Michael) was not injured, he would have been my pick to win as he is an incredible athlete but simply could not overcome his injuries this year.

Craig Alexander was injured this year as well but hit his stride again with a win in Ironman Couer d'Alene. One wonders if he is top form as he is also lightly raced this year.

Ben Hoffman has been a force and should make a good account of himself on race-day.

There are many strong cyclists(like Raynard Tissink)in this race but the marathon course out on the Queen K. highway often determines the winner of Ironman Hawaii.

Over the years many of the best Ironmen in the world have been unable to sustain the pace in the last 10 kilometers of the marathon.

The crushing heat and the swirling, unrelenting headwinds of the bike course have to be managed perfectly in order to still be in the hunt late in the marathon.

HERE ARE THE TOP FIFTY MEN QUALIFIERSTissink Raynard.......7550 Odonnell Timothy......7520 Llanos Eneko ........7100 Al-sultan Faris.......7060 Vanhoenacker Marino...6900 Raphael Jan...........6800 Bell Luke.............6515 Sturla Eduardo........6380 Bracht Timo...........6300 Alexander Craig.......6190 Raelert Andreas.......6180 Jacobs Peter..........6150 Major Jozsef..........6120 Hecht Mathias.........5625Brown Cameron.........5380 Van Lierde Frederik...5290Vabrousek Petr........5200 Schildknecht Ronnie...5165 Twelsiek Maik.........5070 Mckenzie Luke.........4965 Hoffman Ben...........4910 Weiss Michael.........4905 Tollakson Tj..........4870Evoe Patrick..........4835 Vernay Patrick........4790 Zeebroek Axel.........4710Lieto Chris...........4680 Lowe Tom..............4540 Henning Rasmus........4520 Potts Andy............4400 Abel Torsten..........4480Csoke Balazs..........4360 Rapp Jordan...........4290 Boecherer Andi........4210 Marques Sergio........4200 Cunnama James.........4160 Bockel Dirk...........4100 Jammaer Bert..........3950 Lovato Michael.......3935 Goehner Michael.......3890 Schifferle Mike.......3760 Gambles Joe...........3700 Russell Matthew.......3690 Daerr Justin..........3630 Viennot Cyril.........3500 Shortis Jason.........3480 Mcdonald Chris........3465 White Matthew.........3385 Amey Paul.............3380 Fontana Daniel........3200

Eduardo Sturla, Patrick Evoe, James Cunnama, Romain Guillaume, Courtney Ogden, Justin Daerr, and Terenzo Bozzone are the pro men who gave up their spots and will not be competing in Kona.

THE TEN FINAL PRO MEN WHO WERE OFFERED SPOTS:Andreas RaelertTprsten AbelJordan RappAndi BoechererBert JammaerMatthew RussellJason ShortisChris MacdonaldMike AigrozMike Neill

Best of luck to all the age-groupers who have won a spot in the big race. It is so worth all the hard work to get there just to be part of such a great event like Ironman Hawaii.

Best of luck also for the 200 lucky triathletes who managed to land a spot in the lottery. Make the most of it and enjoy every minute of the experience.

ITU Triathlon World Championships 2011

The ITU Triathlon World Championships 2011in Edmonton on July 10th features Paula Findlay who has been on an amazing streak. However there are many great triathletes in the 2011 World Cup and Paula will be facing her biggest challenge to date.

It seems like Paula Findlay is virtually untouchable this year as she was won an amazing 5 out of her last 6 Dextro Energy Triathlon Series races.

It all began in Monterrey in 2010 with her most recent win being in Kitzbuhel.

If there is one thing that seems to be having the biggest impact, it is Paula's ability to simply outrun the competition in the late stages of the race.

It's a testament to her over-all fitness, endurance and above all, her mental toughness.

Certainly I hope Paula is successful once again as she races in front of a home crowd. It will be perhaps the most pressure she has been under in all of her young career.

She will most certainly be challenged by some of the best triathletes on the planet and I believe her biggest challenge might just come from Kiyomi Niwata of Japan.

Kiyomi is also having an excellent season and was third in the Ishigaki World Cup in May and then went on to win two races in Asia.

Triathlon at any level is all about form. It can be the ITU or it can be the Ironman, but it all comes down to who is in the best form this season.

Well, there is no doubt that Paula is in great form, but so is Kiyomi and if Paula is upset on July 10th, I believe Kiyomi just might be the one to do it.

WOMEN ENTRIES IN THE ITU TRIATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011Paula Findlay CAN Helle Frederiksen DEN Kiyomi Niwata JPN Kathy Tremblay CAN Zurine Rodriguez ESP Ashleigh Gentle AUS Hideko Kikuchi JPN Katrien Verstuyft BELKeiko Tanaka JPN Anastasiya Polyanskaya RUSClaudia Rivas MEX Machiko Nakanishi JPN Elizabeth Bravo ECU Charlotte McShane AUS Alice Betto ITA Margit Vanek HUN Hollie Avil GBR Mateja Simic SLO Amanda Felder USA Anahi Le?n MEXCarla Moreno BRA Pamela Nascimento Oliveira BRARomina Palacios Balena ARG Flavia Fernandes BRA Flora Duffy BER Melody Ramirez MEX Chantell Widney CAN Yuko Takahashi JPN Jennifer Spieldenner USA Lauren Goldstein- Kral USA Abbie Thorrington GBR Michelle Flipo MEX Ellie Salthouse AUS Manon Letourneau CAN Eri Kawashima JPN Andrea Barraza MEX Melissa Rios PUR Lydia Waldm?ller AUT Kelly Whitley USA Yanitza Perez CUB Charlotte Morel FRA Cecilia Perez MEX Szandra Szalay HUN Daria Pletikapa CRO Militza R?os PUR Fanny Beisaron ISR Yun-Jung Jang KOR Lisa Perterer AUT Hee Ju Kim KOR

On the men's side it seems unlikely that Simon Whitfield will be on top of the podium in this years World Cup event in Edmonton. It would sure be great to see and who can ever forget Simon winning the first ever Olympic Triathlon in Sydney?

However Simon is most definitely not in form at this point in time and with this huge field of the worlds best competing in the ITU Triathlon World Championships 2011, it is going to take a huge effort for Simon to make it to the podium.

It will take some doing to beat Hunter Kemper from the U.S. and it looks like that challenge is most likely going to come from New Zealander Bevan Docherty who is also in top form this year.

MEN ENTRIES IN THE ITU TRIATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011Bevan Docherty NZL Hunter Kemper USA Crisanto Grajales MEX Marek Jaskolka POL Kyle Jones CAN Gavin Noble IRL James Seear AUS Diogo Sclebin BRA Simon Whitfield CAN Ramon Ejeda Medina ESP Brent McMahon CAN Jose Miguel Perez ESP Arturo Garza MEX Ben Collins USA Cameron Good AUS Premysl Svarc CZE Aaron Royle AUS Carlos Javier Quinchara Forero COL Drew Box AUS Fabio Carvalho BRA Jens Toft DEN Christopher Felgate ZIM Francisco Serrano MEX Juraci Moreira BRA Andrew Russell CAN Peter Croes BEL Csaba Rendes HUN Attila Fecskovics HUN Marc-Yvan De Kaenel SUI Felipe Van de Wyngard CHI Bryan Keane IRL Aur?lien Lescure FRA Todd Leckie GBR Leonardo Saucedo MEX Yohann Vincent FRA Peter Kerr AUS Gabor Faldum HUN Barrett Brandon USA Ognjen Stojanovic SRB Pierre Le Corre FRA Jason Wilson BAR Kohei Shimomura JPN Gonzalo Raul Tellechea ARG Aaron Harris GBR Joe Maloy USA Harunobu Sato JPN Mauro Cavanha Conceicao BRA igor Polyanskiy RUS Hiroki Sugimoto JPN Steven Sexton USA Andrew Yorke CAN Brice Daubord FRA Akos Vanek HUN Ji Hwan Kim KOR Balazs Pocsai HUN Luciano Farias ARG Eder Mejia MEX Michel Gonzalez CUB Aleksandr Latin EST Tamas Toth HUN Herv? Banti MON Irving Perez MEX Ron Darmon ISR Andre Paul Baillargeon Smith CAN Felipe Barraza CHI Min Ho Heo KOR Wikus Weber RSA Franz Hofer AUT Marcus Vinicius Fernandes BRA Richard Varga SVK Dylan McNeice NZL Patrice Hamelin CAN Ju Seok Kim KOR Matthew Sharp GBR Javier Cuevas DOM

ITU World Cup Results Edmonton 2011

There were not many people who doubted that Paula Findlay would win this race in her home town and top the podium in the ITU World Cup Edmonton results 2011 in the days leading up to the race.

Going into the race nobody was quite certain what to expect from the ITU World Cup Edmonton results 2011 once the dust settled.

Paula Findlay as been on such a tear that of course she is full value for being called the favorite to win the race for the women.

Paula has won five of her last 6 ITU races and now gets to perform on her biggest stage ever. That stage is her hometown of Edmonton.

In many ways that put added pressure on Paula to perform and not let down the thousands of spectators that would be sure to cheering her on all along the Edmonton course.

THE WOMEN ENTRIESPaula Findlay CAN Helle Frederiksen DEN Kiyomi Niwata JPN Kathy Tremblay CAN Zurine Rodriguez ESP Ashleigh Gentle AUS Hideko Kikuchi JPN Katrien Verstuyft BELKeiko Tanaka JPN Anastasiya Polyanskaya RUSClaudia Rivas MEX Machiko Nakanishi JPN Elizabeth Bravo ECU Charlotte McShane AUS Alice Betto ITA Margit Vanek HUN Hollie Avil GBR Mateja Simic SLO Amanda Felder USA Anahi Le?n MEXCarla Moreno BRA Pamela Nascimento Oliveira BRARomina Palacios Balena ARG Flavia Fernandes BRA Flora Duffy BER Melody Ramirez MEX Chantell Widney CAN Yuko Takahashi JPN Jennifer Spieldenner USA Lauren Goldstein- Kral USA Abbie Thorrington GBR Michelle Flipo MEX Ellie Salthouse AUS Manon Letourneau CAN Eri Kawashima JPN Andrea Barraza MEX Melissa Rios PUR Lydia Waldm?ller AUT Kelly Whitley USA Yanitza Perez CUB Charlotte Morel FRA Cecilia Perez MEX Szandra Szalay HUN Daria Pletikapa CRO Militza R?os PUR Fanny Beisaron ISR Yun-Jung Jang KOR Lisa Perterer AUT Hee Ju Kim KOR

So where will the podium finisher's come from other than Paula? There is so much great talent in this field.

If I were to pick someone who could upset Paula and win it all I would take an athlete like Kiyomi Niwata.

Kiyomi is in excellent form coming off two wins in Asia and is also an experienced, seasoned athlete.

She will have to have a sizable lead in the run if she hopes to finish in front of Paula.

When you think about it, going off recent form, Paula is going to be very tough to beat unless she falters somewhere early in the race and leaves herself too much to do in the run.

She has a sensational late kick, but with this caliber of field, you can only close so much ground.

MALE ENTRIES IN THE ITU WORLD CUP 2011Bevan Docherty NZL Hunter Kemper USA Crisanto Grajales MEX Marek Jaskolka POL Kyle Jones CAN Gavin Noble IRL James Seear AUS Diogo Sclebin BRA Simon Whitfield CAN Ramon Ejeda Medina ESP Brent McMahon CAN Jose Miguel Perez ESP Arturo Garza MEX Ben Collins USA Cameron Good AUS Premysl Svarc CZE Aaron Royle AUS Carlos Javier Quinchara Forero COL Drew Box AUS Fabio Carvalho BRA Jens Toft DEN Christopher Felgate ZIM Francisco Serrano MEX Juraci Moreira BRA Andrew Russell CAN Peter Croes BEL Csaba Rendes HUN Attila Fecskovics HUN Marc-Yvan De Kaenel SUI Felipe Van de Wyngard CHI Bryan Keane IRL Aur?lien Lescure FRA Todd Leckie GBR Leonardo Saucedo MEX Yohann Vincent FRA Peter Kerr AUS Gabor Faldum HUN Barrett Brandon USA Ognjen Stojanovic SRB Pierre Le Corre FRA Jason Wilson BAR Kohei Shimomura JPN Gonzalo Raul Tellechea ARG Aaron Harris GBR Joe Maloy USA Harunobu Sato JPN Mauro Cavanha Conceicao BRA igor Polyanskiy RUS Hiroki Sugimoto JPN Steven Sexton USA Andrew Yorke CAN Brice Daubord FRA Akos Vanek HUN Ji Hwan Kim KOR Balazs Pocsai HUN Luciano Farias ARG Eder Mejia MEX Michel Gonzalez CUB Aleksandr Latin EST Tamas Toth HUN Herv? Banti MON Irving Perez MEX Ron Darmon ISR Andre Paul Baillargeon Smith CAN Felipe Barraza CHI Min Ho Heo KOR Wikus Weber RSA Franz Hofer AUT Marcus Vinicius Fernandes BRA Richard Varga SVK Dylan McNeice NZL Patrice Hamelin CAN Ju Seok Kim KOR Matthew Sharp GBR Javier Cuevas DOM

Wow! What a field there is for the mens division.

Simon Whitfield will no doubt be a fan favorite, but is does seem that coming off his past form that Simon will be hard-pressed to make the podium.

The main Contenders appear to be Bevan Docherty of New Zealand and Hunter Kemper of the U.S.A. Hunter just seems to be rounding into form and this could be a big day for him once the race begins.

Kyle Jones might just be Canada's best hope to make the podium

THE WOMEN'S RACE results to follow............

Suddenly this race became wide open as Paula Findlay drops out due to a nagging hip injury shortly before the swim start.

A wise decision with here whole career in front of her. It is so easy to turn a treatable injury into something major and career ending.

Going into the first lap of the women's run the standings looked like this1ASHLEIGH GENTLE AUS..........00:11:152.MATEJA SIMIC SLO...........+00:11.093.CARLA MORENO BRA...........+00:12.024.CLAUDIA RIVAS MEX..........+00:21.225.FLORA DUFFY BER............+00:21.396.KEIKO TANAKA JPN..........+00:27.757.CHARLOTTE MOREL FRA........+00:29.338.ALICE BETTO ITA..........+00:29.749.KIYOMI NIWATA JPN..........+00:40.7910.KATRIEN VERSTUYFT BEL.....+00:41.4211.ZURINE RODRIGUEZ ESP......+00:50.7512.HIDEKO KIKUCHIJPN.........+00:52.39

My pick to win the race was Kiyomo Niwata of Japan and she is off the pace by 40 seconds.1.ASHLEIGH GENTLE AUS........00:11:462.CARLA MORENO BRA.........+00:40.263.MATEJA SIMIC SLO.........+00:40.864.KIYOMI NIWATA JPN.........+01:14.955.CLAUDIA RIVAS MEX.........+01:15.386.KEIKO TANAKA JPN.........+01:18.027.ALICE BETTO ITA.........+01:18.168.CHARLOTTE MOREL FRA.......+01:18.829.FLORA DUFFY BER.........+01:20.8310.HIDEKO KIKUCHI JPN.......+01:39.4411.KATRIEN VERSTUYFT BEL....+01:43.2012.ZURINE RODRIGUEZ ESP.....+02:00.8413.JENNIFER SPIELDENNER USA.+02:24.09

Ashleigh Gentle is looking great. Koyomi Niwata from Japan has a shot at the podium.

Carla Moreno from Brazil and Mateja Simic from Slovakia are well within striking distance of Ashleigh Gentle.

Well this race is history and Gentle from Australia wins in 2:00:12!

Lots of problems with the timing in Edmonton, but have been able to find the top 10 women in the ITU World Cup Edmonton Results 2011.1.Ashleigh Gentle..........2:00:122.Mateja Simic.............2:01:063.Lisa Perterer............2:01:08 4.Carla Moreno.............5.Kiyomi Niwata............ 6.Charlotte Morel.......... 7.Helle Frederiksen........ 8.Keiko Tanaka............. 9.Alice Betto.............. 10.Hideko Kikuchi..........

YOU CAN CHECK BACK HERE LATER FOR THE MEN'S RESULTS. THE SWIM IS JUST UNDERWAY.

The timing is still screwed up, but I will do my best to keep up with manual timing as I find it.

A very large lead pack is out on the bike course and it's obvious that the best runners will be on the podium at the end of the race, as there is no small break-away group.

SOME OF THE FIRST MEN OUT OF TRANSITION ONE1.SIMON WHITFIELD CAN.........16:29:352.AKOS VANEK HUN..............+00:00.693.DYLAN MCNEICE NZL...........+00:00.924.AARON HARRIS GBR...........+00:02.915.ATTILA FECSKOVICS HUN.......+00:03.086.STEVEN SEXTON USA...........+00:03.817.BARRETT BRANDON USA.........+00:42.098.FELIPE VAN DE WYNGARD CHI...+01:10.929.JOE MALOY USA...............+01:45.66

I hope Simon proves me wrong and makes the podium, however he has been off form for a few races now. Perhaps racing at home in Canada is just the boost he needs.

At least he is the lead pack and by all reports there are about 50 riders in that pack so all Hell will break loose out on the run course.

Canada could sure use a big race from Simon after Paula Findlay was forced to withdraw from the race.

Things are a little clearer now. After the second of six bike loops there are 35 riders in the lead pack. They are 41 seconds up on the chase pack.

Simon Whitfield, Docherty, Noble and all the main contenders are in that lead pack.

After another lap on the bike the group has stayed together and it's a frantic pace as everyone tries to hang on.

Just a note if you are watching for Ron Damon from Israel, he was injured in the swim and has withdrawn from race, but will be fine.

4 laps are done now and the lead group still holds a 49 second lead over the first chase pack. The second chase pack is 1:09 down.

They might as well be 2 weeks behind. The winners will come out of the first pack as it's a who's who of Olympic athletes in front.

It's going to be some run.

It's only about 7 minutes now until the bike/run transition.

At this level all you have to do is mess up getting off your bike, or getting your helmet off, or getting your running shoes on, and you will never catch up.

THE RUN

Hunter Kemper is the first out of the bike/run transition. He is followed out by Rendes and Vanek. For some reason Simon Whitfield is 3rd last of the first pack out of T2.

He will have to have quite a run to get to the front of that group.

Wow! What a difference one lap makes.

At the end of the first lap Bevan Docherty leads and is followed closely by Lescure, Jones, Hunter Kemper, Royle, Sharp, Simon Whitfield, and Polyansky. They are about 10 seconds apart.

Very soon we will know who will be on top of the ITU World Cup Edmonton results 2011 and it should be one of these guys.

At the end of lap 2 Lescure is in the lead, Docherty is right with him for second, Jones is third, Hunter Kemper is fourth and Simon Whitfield is stalking them all in fifth.

Bevan Docherty wins the race!

THE TOP SEVEN MEN IN THE ITU WORLD CUP RESULTS 20111.Bevan Docherty........1:46:482.Aurelien Lescure......1:46:503.Hunter Kemper.........1:46:544.Kyle Jones(the top Canadian and just misses the podium) 5.Crisanto Grajales6.Simon Whitfield7.Akos Vanek

I found out the following day that Simon Whitfield had a mishap in the transition from the bike to the run, crashing to the ground and picking up some road rash, including a cut on his left knee and some broken skin on his arm, as well.

It's pretty much exactly the sort of mishap I just mentioned that can put you behind and you never do quite catch up and as you will see by the times of the podium finishers. There was only 6 seconds between 1st and 3rd.

Also, it's the first time Kyle Jones has ever beaten Simon Whitfield and Jones could well be Canada's biggest hope in the Olympic Games.

ITU World Cup Results Edmonton 2011 Back To Results Page

ITU World Cup Edmonton Results 2011 Back To Ironstruck Home Page

Michael Raelert Will Not Race Ironman World Championship

Germany’s Michael Raelert has announced he will not compete in the 2011 Ironman World Championship race due to an injury. Raelert not only lacks the points necessary to qualify for the race, he also hasn’t completed the necessary Ironman. Raelert had planned on racing in the Ironman European Championships back on July 24, but didn’t make the start due to a hip injury that has plagued him on and off throughout the season. Raelert says he will still make the start to defend his Ironman World Championship 70.3 title in Las Vegas, Nev.

Raelert posted the following statement on the website he shares with his brother Andreas (translated from German using Google Translate):

Michael Raelert has had an injury-plagued season. Photo: Steve Godwin

“Even two weeks after the injury-related cancellation of Michael Raelert in his Ironman debut in Frankfurt, his health is still not well enough to make a start at the 70.3 Ironman Championship in Wiesbaden without risk. Based on medical advice, a start at the 2011 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii is not realistic, as the risks of long-term damage in the muscular area are too great for him.

‘For these reasons, Andreas and I decided to not go to Hawaii this year to join forces in the startup and to move our dream to 2012. Instead, I will highlight this season at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship on September 11 in Las Vegas and choose to try to defend my title from last year successfully,’ said the reigning European champion and double world champion over the Ironman 70.3 distance.”

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Michael Weiss To Race In Three World Championships

In the same race that Marino Vanhoenacker’s 7:45:58 broke Luc Van Lierde’s Ironman world record, Austrian pro and super-cyclist Michael “Michi” Weiss broke the eight-hour mark at Ironman Austria, finishing in 7:57:39. The 2010 Ironman St. George champion, who finished 13th at the Ironman World Championship last year, has a busy few months ahead of him. He shared with Triathlete.com about his upcoming wedding as well as racing three world championships back-to-back this year.

Triathlete.com: You were the runner-up after Marino Vanhoenacker at Ironman Austria,?finishing under eight hours as well—what did it feel like to finish under 8:00 in?your home country?

Weiss finished 13th in Kona in 2010.

MW: As my home race, Ironman Austria is a very special competition for me. Finishing in 7:57 on a day when the world record was broken after so many years made it even more memorable.

Triathlete.com: Your wedding is this weekend—how are the plans coming along?
MW: Rachel and I have been on the East Coast now for over two weeks. We came over early to support her dad in his first Ironman, Lake Placid. Since then we have just been finalizing the small details, and we’re really looking forward to bringing our friends and family together for the Kennebunkport [Maine] wedding.

Triathlete.com: Any plans for a honeymoon before Las Vegas in September?
MW: We will spend much of October in Hawaii for the Ironman World Championships and always enjoy the amazing island, people and energy there. Rachel and I met there in 2009 so Kona holds a very special place in our hearts (we also named our dog Kona).

Triathlete.com: Since you’re racing the Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Vegas, the Ironman World Championship in Kona and the Xterra World Championship in Maui, is there one that’s a priority for you? Or are they all pretty equal?
MW: Kona is the biggest race of the year for me. My training is built around Kona, but I will give my very best in Las Vegas and Maui as well.

Triathlete.com: How do you plan to train in preparation for those three championships?
MW: I won’t taper too long for Las Vegas, and will try to get in another two weeks of solid training in Colorado for Kona. After that it will be all about getting fresh as a Hawaiian pineapple!

Triathlete.com: Do you plan to get in some mountain bike training before Maui?
MW: I love riding my mountain bike in Colorado and am usually on the trails at least once a week. It is a perfect way to break the “routine.”

PHOTOS: Xterra World Championship Course

Triathlete.com: With Xterra being the third of the three world championships, how do you plan to recover in time for that after racing in Kona?
MW: Mental recovery is the most important after Kona. Ironman is not only a physical challenge; it takes a lot out of the mind and spirit as well. In the two weeks leading up to Maui I [will] just try to relax and rest. I [will] take advantage of the islands’ beauty and nature to help in my recovery.

Triathlete.com: You improved quite a bit in Kona last year—what will it take for you to break into the top 10 this year?
MW: Finishing top 10 in Kona requires an athlete to have a nearly “perfect” day. You have to be rested, healthy and prepared mentally to take on the Kona battle. I have worked very hard to improve my swim and run so combined with a perfect day I could have the key to a top-10 finish.

You can follow Michi on Twitter @michi_weiss or on his website, www.michaelweiss.cc.