Let's Track Joy's Progress:Badge 1846 Thanks Joy, once again for supporting EVAN!!
Zyemstev and Gollnick Favorites in Coeur d'Alene
Shawn Skene previews this weekend's Ford Ironman Couer d'Alene
Published Thursday, June 19, 2008
The sixth edition of the Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene will take place on Sunday and will serve as the North American Sports USA Championships. With $75,000 and eight coveted pro slots for the Ford Ironman World Championships on the line, this race has the makings of a hotly contested race in both the men and women's professional race.
The two looped swim, bike and run courses offer up athletes not only a stunning race course, but one that can be challenging as well. All indications are that it will be a cool swim on Sunday; however the bike course serves up a menu of flats, rollers, technical turns and descents to warm the competitors up after their dip in Lake Coeur d' Alene. Athletes have to contend with a deceiving run course, too. There are number of false flats that can play havoc on the body and mind; not a particularly good thing to be occurring while you are trying to complete a marathon after a 2.4-mile swim and 112-mile bike ride. Oh well, that's why it is called Ironman.
Viktor Zyemstev, who has two wins here in Coeur d’Alene will be defending his title and will be accompanied by the return of the second and third place finishers here last year, Canada’s Tom Evans and Michael Lovato of Boulder, Colorado.
Watch for Evans to put together his patented off the front swim-bike combination and hold off the charge from behind by the fleet footed Zyemstev. Evans would love nothing better than to reverse his fortunes of the last two meetings these two have had where Evans has been overtaken by Zyemstev in the final miles of the marathon. You’ve got to know this will be on the minds of both these competitors on Sunday and that they have both played this scenario out in their pre-race plan … repeatedly.
Unlike Zyemstev’s and Evans’ previous meetings, they will have to contend with Steve Larsen on Sunday. The “retired” Larsen still holds the bike course record at Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid and has the biking pedigree to bridge himself towards the front of the race in the middle to late portion of the bike. The first question: is Larsen coming into this race Ironman fit? Second question: do Evans and Zyemstev even consider Larsen to be in threat, regardless of his race fitness? If they do believe he is ready to tear up the bike, will he be a factor in the late stages of the run? W will have to wait and see on Sunday whether Larsen will affect the race strategy.
Others to watch as the men’s race unfolds are Lovato, New Zealand’s Bryan Rhodes, USA’s Jim Vance and Canada’s Scott Curry. All have the ability to take advantage of the situation if any of the favorites falter.
In the women’s field one would have to consider the five-time Ironman champion Heather Gollnick as the favorite. Gollnick has the proven track record and knows what it takes to win Ironman events in North America and has a win and a second place showings at Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene in her past. The mother of three has consistently performed against some tough fields on this continent and this year in Coeur d’Alene should be no exception.
Desiree Ficker comes into this race as a contender for the win and, as well, a fan favorite. She failed to entirely back-up her stellar second-place finish at the 2006 Ford Ironman World Championships last year. With some of her focus on marathon running in 2007 and less on Ironman racing, Ficker did not meet the expectations of her many fans who believed she had the potential to become dominate figure in Ironman racing.
Other women who could impact the outcome in the women’s race are Canada’s Sarah Gross and Heather Wurtele. Gross comes into Coeur d’Alene after her solid second-place performance at Ironman Canada last year. Heather Wurtele has displayed a steady progression since turning professional by hitting the podium at both the Wildflower Long Course Triathlon and the Ironman Boise 70.3 this year
Ironman.com coverage of the Ford Ironman Coeur d’ Alene commences on Friday with video features and interviews with Greg Welch and articles previewing the race and the events leading up to Sunday’s race. On race day www.ironman.com will provide you with live video updates in addition to “Track an Athlete”, photos and text reports. See you then.
Special thanks to a tireless aunt and Warrior Woman in Virginia for dreaming up a sale no one wanted to miss. What a way to close down the shop and go out in style, Lynne. You have the best sales! Nothing had a price. 
Come, take what you need, and give back...to Evan. Pay with your 'heartstrings'. (Mattie would be pleased). Thanks to Aunt Lynne, Mimi and especially to Brigitte Kirtland for poster and pre set up and organizing, to Erika and Anne Charles Dod-the best worker bees! High fives to Paw Paw and Duane for "muling". Thanks as well for donations of merchandise from Aunt Sarah, Patty Westhafer, Anne Frank, Mimi, and Dancin' Feet. Also, a special 'cutaway' to Chuck for the years of cuts and colors and for transporting the goods and to all of our eastern friends and family for such amazing, tireless and constant support. We are grateful ! Virginia definately IS for lovers, of Evan, that is!
