Bozeman Masters Swim Club

SEAN SPERRY/CHRONICLE
Olympian Jason Lezak describes his accomplishments as a U.S. swimmer and his world record-setting leg of the 4×100-meter

freestyle relay in the Beijing Olympics, Saturday at Montana State University’s Shroyer Gym.

A SPLASH OF GOLD

7-time Olympic medalist Lezak shares accomplishments, disappointments with Bozeman

“It’s inspiring to see someone who worked hard to get where they are.  That’s why we’re here.”
– Heidi Henry, one of 800 spectators at Shroyer Gym.

February 1, 2009

By TIM DUMAS
Chronicle Sports Editor

For five minutes, it was Aug. 11.  And Jason Lezak was converting doubters again.

A crowd of 800 was quieted to a hush Saturday when the lights were dimmed and all eyes were peeled to a video screen - just as they were on those summer nights five months ago when the routine across America went something like this: eat, sleep, watch swimming.

The gathering at Montana State University’s Shroyer Gym had come to hear Lezak speak, maybe collect an autograph.  Before he was introduced, however, the most memorable moment from the 2008 Summer Olympic Games was flashed on the screen: the 4×100-meter relay.

Swimming in front of a world-wide television audience - and then-President Bush, who was in Beijing for the event - Lezak launched into the last leg of the race.  And he was behind.

The hopes of America winning the relay, which would have kept Michael Phelps’ chances of winning a record eight gold medals, were beginning to fade.

Even NBC’s commentators were pessimistic.

“I just don’t think he can do it,” Rowdy Gaines says on the tape.

Then this from Dan Hicks: “They should get the silver medal …

“And here comes Lezak!” were the last words heard.

Fast forward to Saturday, when the cheers at Shroyer drown out the rest of the tape.

After his introduction to a standing ovation, Lezak stood behind a podium and shared his story of ups and downs.  Sure he has seven Olympic medals, but the tall Californian with short-cropped hair made a point of listing his disappointments.

Like his first appearance at an Olympic Trials, in 1996, when he finished second to last.  He admitted to being “scared” beforehand, saying, “I took myself out of the race before it even started.”

Or the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, where an American member of the 4×1 team had said, “we’re going to smash the Australians like guitars.”  Thirteen U.S. Olympic 4×1 victories in a row can lead to such bravado, but Lezak was part of the team that broke the streak, finishing second.

The worst part, Lezak said, came after the race, when the Americans had to look over at the Aussies, who were celebrating by strumming air guitars.

“We blew it,” Lezak told the crowd.  “We lost the race for the USA.”

Lezak also spoke of how he got hooked on swimming.  A trip to the nearby 1984 Los Angeles games to watch one of his childhood heroes, Matt Biondi, was all it took.  The 6-foot-4 Lezak also aspired to play professional basketball: his other idol was Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers.

But slicing through water at an elite level quickly became his focus.  He began competitive swimming at age 5 and became an All-American water polo player as a high schooler in Irvine, Calif.

After the disappointment at the ‘96 Trials, Lezak won his first national title and has won at least one medal at every Olympics since 2000.  And while he is proud to have finally won an individual medal - he took the bronze in the 100 freestyle in Beijing - that comeback relay he swam to catch a French team that had talked its own trash has become his legacy.

It’s why he made his first appearance in Montana and it’s why he will spend one day at home in California before jetting to Orlando, Fla., on Monday for another engagement.

“It’s been fun,” he told the Chronicle before Saturday’s event, the 4×1 gold medal resting on his lap. “It’s harder than what I’m used to, but it’s been fun.”

And that race is why the Shroyer bleachers were nearly full.

“We were pretty into the summer Olympics,” said Heidi Henry, who attended with her daughter Lindy.  “It’s pretty inspiring, especially for young people to come out and see someone who worked hard to get to where they are.  That’s why we’re here.”

Lindy Henry isn’t a swimmer, “just a fan,” she said.  But she was among the many who were enthralled over the summer.

“We were standing in the living room just screaming at the TV,” she said.  “You always want to watch the Olympics.  This year it was extra special because it was so exciting.”

Lezak, 33, says there are possible book deals in his future and he hopes to soon select a charity to promote.  But he’ll do his best to keep his new busy life from getting in the way of swimming at the highest level.  His goal is to compete in a fourth Olympics, at the 2012 London games - and to keep proving people wrong.

“A lot of people say I’m maybe passed my prime; they said that before these (Olympic) games and I showed them, and I still feel like I can do it,” Lezak said.  “Regardless if I go there and win a bunch of medals, right now the focus is to go and make that team (in 2012).”

Tim Dumas can be reached at tdumas@ dailychronicle.com and 582-2651.

REPRINTED AND RETRANSMITTED WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE BOZEMAN DAILY CHRONICLE.

TRITON CHECKLIST
Get Started! A Cornucopia of Winter Training Opportunities Await You.
*** Cycling.  Sign up for a MultiRider or CompuTrainer session.
*** Dryland.  Gold’s Gym, 8:00 AM, every Saturday.
*** Swimming.  Check out the Bozeman Masters Swim Club.
*** Swimming.  Attend the Jason Lezak American Miracle & Freestyle Clinic, 1/31, and support Eagle Mount.
*** Nordic Skiing.  Sign up for a Triton clinic at Homestake Lodge - 2/1 & 3/1.  Attend one or both days.
*** Winter Triathlon.  Enter or support the POWDER HOUND - 2/22.  Pairs, teams of three are welcome, too!

TRITONS WELCOME NEW SPONSORS — Rudy Project & Roc-N-Sol Optical!
Rudy Project is the Club’s Official Eyewear & Helmet Supplier.
RJ Arena of Roc-N-Sol Optical introduced the 2009 Rudy Project product line to the Club at our Triton Winter Camp.  Members were psyched with the news of the sponsorship and the product line.  Tritons can now purchase “Technically Cool Eyewear” and helmets at Roc-N-Sol, with a 40% discount off MSRP.  Nice.

QUOTABLE, On His Triton MultiRider & CompuTrainer Experience @ Crossfit 4800!
“Every time I go to the MultiRider session, I come home jacked.  I’ve been talking about it all day (my wife finally told me to change the subject).  Not only is the CompuTrainer key, but Aubrey is making those sessions mean something - rather than just spinning.  Yeah, we are blessed this year, Art!  Thinking about what I went through last winter … besides, we’ll be amazing cyclists come summer.” - Anonymous Triton, Guess Who? :o)

FEBRUARY 2009 - TRITON LOOK-AHEAD CALENDAR
 

ANOTHER NEW SPONSOR!
Thanks to teammate Martin Coleman, Merrill Lynch is a proud new 2009 sponsor of the Bozeman Tritons!

TRITON TIDBITS
Treasure State Triathlon, Bozeman, June 21
From Tony Brendgard, Fleet Feet Owner, Treasure State Triathlon Race Director & Triton Sponsor.  We are especially excited to announce that this Olympic distance triathlon has been named a “Best Of the US Qualifier.”  In recent years this triathlon has taken place in August, so please beware of the date change.  Additional information is available at http://www.tri-mt.com/. 

Headwaters Half Ironman, Three Forks, July 26
From Tony Brendgard, Fleet Feet Owner, Treasure State Triathlon Race Director & Triton Sponsor.  It’s official!  This year we are adding a half Ironman Triathlon to the local race calendar.  A handful of you out there might remember this race from the 80’s and 90’s and we are excited to bring it back.  The swim portion of the race will take place in Three Forks.  Participants will then bike from Three Forks to Manhattan, then Churchill, and back to Three Forks to finish the final portion of the triathlon.  More details to follow!  Check for updates at http://www.tri-mt.com/.

XTERRA Wild Horse Creek, Bozeman, July 26
From Karen LeFebre & Scott Muir, Race Directors.  Happy New Year.  We hope this new year brings you good health and happiness.  We are writing to inform you that due to last-minute changes in the XTERRA National schedule, we moved our race date to Sunday, July 26th.  We were informed in mid-November that the XTERRA Mountain Cup race was scheduled on the same weekend as our race.  After the new schedule was posted on http://www.xterraplanet.com/, we had many athletes asking us to move our race date so that they could attend both races.  After searching local events, July 26th was an open date in December, we chose to reapply for new permits and change our date accordingly.  Hope all is well and you are enjoying a fit and snow filled winter!  Additional information is available at http://www.bigskytri.com/.

Make Tracks for Trails, Bohart Ranch, Bozeman, 2/21
Equinox Ski Challenge, West Yellowstone, 3/21
From Furry Fulton, fellow Triton.  Two upcoming events might be of interest for Triton members who are participating in the Nordic training - or others as well.  21st of February is the Make Tracks for Trails event at Bohart - benefits GVLT.  A team of 4 skiers competes against other teams for most mileage - seems ideal for a super fit, but maybe not super fast, group of triathlon folks.  The second one is the Equinox Ski Challenge (March 21) at West Yellowstone - up to eight team members ski as a relay for 6, 12 or 24 hours.  People can also do this one solo if they are really tough.  Both seem like they might be fun goals for people to work towards as they refine their Nordic skiing.  I’d be happy to organize teams for either one of these events if people are interested.  Interested Tritons may contact Furry at jennifer.fulton@myportal.montana.edu.

Don’t Forget to Occasionally Click On http://www.usat-pnw.org/! :o)

MONTANA TRIATHLONS

POWDER HOUND WINTER TRIATHLON - Sunday, February 22
Unleash Your Inner Snow Dog, and Have a Howlin’ Good Time!
5K Run, 10K Mountain Bike, 5K Nordic Ski - In the Snow, On the Trails of Homestake Lodge!
Get out of your comfort zone, stretch your boundaries, and have another kind of tri fun!  Homestake Lodge & the Bozeman Triathlon Club are partnering to deliver the POWDER HOUND — the first ever, winter triathlon in the State of Montana, and likely the entire northern Rockies!  Winter triathlons are big in Europe and gaining in popularity in the USA.  In fact, the USAT Winter Triathlon National Championships were held one week ago at Mt. Bachelor in Bend, OR.  Check out the Championships news and learn about this exciting, relatively new triathlon racing format at www.wintertri.org.  An entry form to the Powder Hound Winter Triathlon is attached, and registration will be available on www.active.com later this week.  Participants may race as individuals, in pairs, or in teams of three.  Your race fee includes lunch and a full day trail pass at Homestake Lodge, Montana’s best new Nordic skiing venue.  Come on out to Homestake Lodge, race, and then enjoy the day, from atop the Continental Divide.  Barking, growling, howling and other basic powder hound communication skills are mandatory.  Non-propulsive, snow canine accoutrements are welcome.  For more information, check out www.homestakelodge.com or contact Mandy at mandy@homestakelodge.com.

Powder Hound Winter Triathlon Entry Form

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST JASON LEZAK WILL APPEAR AT MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY ON JANUARY 31, 2009

Team USA Captain Will Present at Public Fundraiser for Eagle Mount Aquatic Therapy Center

Bozeman, MT - January 12, 2009 - World record holder Jason Lezak will appear at Montana State University on Saturday, January 31st from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM at Shroyer Gymnasium.

Jason Lezak, renowned for his American Miracle, the amazing come-from-behind, fastest split-of-all-time, gold medal anchor leg in the 4 x 100 men’s freestyle swim relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, will provide his inspiring “Road to Gold” presentation starting at Noon.  An autograph session will follow the talk, beginning at 1:00 PM.  The autograph signing will be on a first come, first serve basis, and end promptly at 2:00 PM.

On his visit to Bozeman, Jason reveals, “I am delighted to be sharing my Olympic experiences with students and athletes at Montana State University and with families from the entire Bozeman community.  When I was younger, I would have done anything to meet an Olympic Champion, for the motivation, the advice.  This is my way of giving back, while supporting a really good cause, the Eagle Mount Aquatic Therapy Center.”

MSU Bobcat Athletics are equally excited to assist in sponsoring Jason’s visit to Bozeman.  According to Associate Athletic Director Camie Bechtold, “It is an honor to have a gold medal Olympian on-campus, who can share his experience with our students and athletes.  Additionally, it is always great to give back to the community and Eagle Mount.”

Doors will open at 11:00 AM, with KISS-FM DJ Missy O’Malley playing Today’s Hottest Music.  Missy will emcee the event, and spin music from 11:00 AM to Noon, and during the autograph session from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.  KISS-FM will have the Shroyer Gymnasium audience rockin’ before and after Jason Lezak’s “Road to Gold” presentation.

Families are welcome.  Parking is free.  Tickets are limited.  Tickets are $5 for youth and students, and $8 for adults.  Prices will be $7 and $10, respectively, on the day of the show.  Tickets are available at the MSU Bobcat Ticket Office & phone at 800-808-5940, local Tickets West outlets & online at www.ticketswest.com, First Interstate Bank, Eagle Mount, and Universal Athletic Service.

This Olympic moment on the campus of Montana State University is hosted by the MSU Student Chapter of the Bozeman Masters Swim Club, and benefits the Eagle Mount Aquatic Therapy Center and local United States Aquatics Sports Clubs, including the Bozeman Masters Swim Club, Bozeman Barracudas, Bozeman Stingrays, and Bozeman Tritons.  Sponsors include First Interstate Bank, KISS-FM, MSU Bobcats, and Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

For more information on the event or interviewing Jason, please contact Art at 406-586-9799 or e-mail at art.thompson@yahoo.com.

Eagle Mount
Eagle Mount provides therapeutic and recreational activities for children and adults with physical, mental or behavioral challenges, striving to improve the quality of life for them and their families.

Bozeman Masters Swim Club (BOZE)
Bozeman Masters Swim Club is an official United States Masters Swimming program.  In 2005, USMS and NIKE honored BOZE as the first recipient of the NIKE Award for United States Masters Swimming.  In 2007 and 2008, BOZE was the Montana Masters Swimming Champions.  The entirely volunteer-based team welcomes swimmers of all ages, abilities, and motivations including lifelong fitness, competitive swimming, triathlon swim training, and x-training.  Founded in 2004, the Bozeman Masters Swim Club has well over sixty members, representing a diverse cross-section of our community.

2009 TRITON WINTER CAMP @ HOMESTAKE LODGE
This weekend, January 17 & 18, Homestake Lodge!  Time to RocknRoll!

What to Bring?
Pack like you would for any normal, overnight Nordic skiing trip, with lodging.  Plus, toss in the following items:
*** Sleeping bag, or a top sheet & blanket for your bunk.  HSL will provide a fitted bottom sheet, pillows, and pillow cases.
*** Towel.
*** Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks for personal consumption.
*** Food for your self-prepared breakfast and lunches.  The HSL kitchen is available for member’s use.  HSL provides an optional soup & salad bar for lunch @ $7.50 per person.
*** Abundant energy, and your sense of humor!

What NOT to Bring, What NOT to Wear?
Hmmm, not sure, what’s a NORMAL, overnight Nordic ski trip, anyway?  I guess we’ll find out! :o)

Saturday Night Dinner Party!
The Club will have an après ski happy hour and dinner party in the new lodge on Saturday night.  Club Coordinator Sherri Pearson is food shopping for the Club, in preparation for a lasagna and salad feast that evening.  Thank you Sherri!  We’ll tally the costs and ask participants to chip in.  HSL will sell Club members beer or wine during the evening.

Coordination Items - Ride Sharing, Other
If you need a ride, are willing to take on other passengers, have special dietary needs, or have any other Triton Camp coordination items, please contact Club Coordinator Sherri Pearson @ sw1078@hotmail.com. Other detailed information about Homestake Lodge is available at http://www.homestakelodge.com/.

That’s all folks.  Triton Nordic Skiing Coaches Chris & Mandy look forward to our Camp and your visit, and upon your arrival at Homestake Lodge, will take over from here!

TRITONS INDOOR CYCLING PROGRAM!
Crossfit 4800, 507 Bond St, Bozeman
The Club had a great turnout at the orientation Tuesday evening, with over 20 members participating.  Member response to the experience was overwhelmingly positive, and the Club & Crossfit 4800 are adjusting accordingly!  We are now definitely ON for an additional Thursday evening session.  Club Coaches Aubrey Curtis & Matt Parks worked wonders getting the MultiRider system up-and-running for the team.  Thank you!  We’re all, coaches and members, learning on the fly, so let’s keep this in mind.  Member feedback is critical at this stage, for the program to continue along this success curve.

JANUARY 2009 — TRITON MULTIRIDER SCHEDULE

TRITON MULTIRIDER PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
*** Workout Session — Coached group workouts, 8 members per session, for the exclusive use of Triton members.  Bring your bike, equipped with a rear wheel training skewer (if you have one), adequate fluids, and a sweat towel.  Coaches request that members arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled session start time to set up your bike.  Each ride will begin as close to the scheduled start time as possible, in order to get members riding and finished by 6:30 PM (allowing members to make Masters swim practice starting at 7:30 PM).

*** Reservations — To reserve a “seat” for a specific MultiRider session, please go to www.scheduletown.com.  Seat reservations are available approximately two weeks in advance.  We have over 50 members now and seats are very limited.  Tuesday & Thursday workouts of each week will be the same.  Please select only one, and please honor your reservations.  If you cannot make it, please cancel your reservation, making it available to another member.  Detailed online reservation instructions are available below, courtesy Coach Aubrey Curtis.

*** Additional Sessions — Crossfit 4800 plans to add similar coached MultiRider workout sessions to its overall fitness program on Monday & Wednesday evenings.  Crossfit 4800 anticipates starting these sessions within the next two weeks.  These sessions will be open to the public.  Triton members may schedule and workout during these time slots, too.

*** Cost — For use of the MultiRider system, during any scheduled coached session or even on a standalone, uncoached basis, Crossfit 4800 will charge Triton members a fee of $5 per use or $20 per month for unlimited rides, coached or uncoached.  That’s a discount of 50%!

TRITON COMPUTRAINER PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
*** Update — Crossfit 4800 encourages Triton members to schedule the use of the Triton’s CompuTrainer during its regular hours of operation - Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM.  If not possible, Tritons may schedule the use of the Club’s CompuTrainer outside of these normal operating hours, with an additional security measure.  Upon scheduling the workout session on www.scheduletown.com, Triton shall contact Triton Coach Aubrey Curtis, by email at aubrey_jon@hotmail.com, to obtain the key code to access the facility during that time slot.  Tritons may use the Club’s CompuTrainer free-of-charge, at anytime.

TRITONS WELCOME COACH AUBREY CURTIS
The Tritons welcome Coach Aubrey Curtis to the Club!  Aubrey is a USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach and is the lead coach, coordinator and interface for the Club’s indoor cycling program at Crossfit 4800.  He, along with Coach Matt Parks, spent considerable time over the holidays developing the program, and we thank him and Matt for their efforts.  Aubrey looks forward to an exciting and productive winter on the Racermate CompuTrainers with the Bozeman Tritons!  If you have any questions on the program or the established reservation procedures below, members may contact Aubrey at aubrey_jon@hotmail.com.

SCHEDULETOWN RESERVATION PROCEDURES
How do I schedule a ride/workout at Crossfit 4800 on ScheduleTown.com?  Just follow these steps…
1. Go to www.scheduletown.com.  
2. Click on “ScheduleTown user sign in” at the top of the page.  On the next page, if you do not already have a user account, click on “New User? Create account.” button at the bottom.  If you already have an account, just sign in with username and password.
3. Once you have created an account, type in “Crossfit4800″ in the upper right hand corner to schedule a ride/workout.
4. Click on the Crossfit 4800 link.
5. Click on the “ScheduleNow!” next to the ride time you want.
6. Click “ScheduleNow!” next to the Computrainer position you wish to ride (1-8).
7. Choose the date and time you would like to ride.  Currently, Triton members have exclusive use of the Tuesday and Thursday rides at 5:30 PM for 60 minutes, as well as the Saturday rides at 10:00 am for 90-120 minutes.
8. Check reservation to make sure the times match up and click “Set your reservation.”
9. You will be directed to your account homepage with your reservation information.
Once you have an account, you can sign in on scheduletown.com to go directly to Crossfit4800 or view what classes you are currently signed up for.

TRITONS PARTNERING WITH CROSSFIT 4800 — A BIG TY, PLUS ADDITIONAL TRITON DISCOUNTS!
The Tritons thank Jeremy Henrichon and the Crossfit 4800 team for their sponsorship, support, and flexibility in shaping the Tritons indoor cycling program.  It’s been a substantial effort, in a compressed time frame.  The Club appreciates the response.  Members may be interested to know that Crossfit 4800 provides Tritons with discounted monthly memberships, too. Crossfit 4800 will provide Triton members with a reduced rate of $75 per month (regularly $115) for comprehensive use of the entire Crossfit 4800 facility and its coached programs.  The breakdown of the monthly rate is $20 for the MultiRider series, plus $55 for all other Crossfit 4800 programs.  Check out these links - www.crossfit4800.com and www.crossfitendurance.com  for additional information.  The Club encourages members to support Crossfit 4800!

BOZE Look-Ahead Event Calendar

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Make Masters Swimming Your 2009 “Get Fit” Resolution.
Start Training for the 1-Hour NIKE Endurance Swim & Montana Masters SCY Championships.
Get Triathlon-Ready in the New Year.
Support the Jason Lezak American Miracle.  Buy Your Tickets Today!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

What are your Triathlon Training & Race Goals for 2009?

Lots of Triton Options for the New Year, starting with a
CompuTrainer Orientation Session on January 6th, and
Grizzly Tri Registration on January 12th!

A strength and conditioning program built of constantly varied, if not randomized, functional movements executed at high intensity.

TRITONS INDOOR CYCLING IS HERE!
Starting with a CompuTrainer & MultiRider Orientation Session
Tuesday, January 6th , 5:30 PM — Crossfit 4800, 507 Bond St, Bozeman
Bring Your Bike!  Experience the Virtual FUN of Group Cycling Indoors!
Along with CompuTrainer, Crossfit 4800 is now a proud sponsor of the Bozeman Triathlon Club.  Under the sponsorship, Club members will have free, 24/7 access to the Club’s new CompuTrainer at Crossfit 4800.  Additionally, Crossfit 4800 is offering a Tuesday night MultiRider group ride program for Triton members at an economical $5 per session.  Your are invited to check out this ultimate, virtual reality group cycling experience, and your first session is free.  Hope to see you on Tuesday nights, as we ramp up and develop this new program!

CompuTrainer Testimonial
“The benefits that I have received from the CompuTrainer are indescribable.  Cycling has been the most unfamiliar aspect for me and with the help of the CompuTrainer and training under a controlled environment; I have been able to consistently improve on a daily basis.  I have dedicated myself and this season to improving as a cyclist and overall triathlete.  I have already built my strength and power from countless hours of riding in my living room.  RacerMate has helped me start to tap into my potential as a cyclist.  The quality of each workout is guaranteed because all of the variables involved with cycling can be controlled.  Wattage, cadence, and heart rate are the three variables that I change on a daily basis to get the results that I need.  The one constant I can derive from each individual workout is the performance of my CompuTrainer.  The consistency that I get with each workout has made me a better cyclist and a better triathlete.  I have a smoother pedal stroke, I have developed a higher cadence, and most importantly I have improved my wattage output at threshold and max heart rates!  To improve in all of the aspects while just riding on the roads would take me years.  After training on my CompuTrainer on a consistent basis I was able to drastically improve all of these things in a matter of months.  I’m not saying that it was easy, on the contrary - it was extremely demanding but the results are starting to show.  I’m looking for even better bike splits in the races to come because of my work on my CompuTrainer!” — Andy Potts, Professional Triathlete

2009 TRITON NORDIC SKIING PROGRAM @ HOMESTAKE LODGE
Tri Camp Weekend of 1/17 & 1/18 Approaching Soon. Limited Reservations Remain.
Check Out “Nordic Skiing Improves Triathlon Efficiency,” January 2009 Edition of Triathlete Magazine.
Book your Triton Group Package now!  Contact Chris or Mandy today at 406-585-8052 or mandy@homestakelodge.com to make and pay for your reservation.  Please see email of 11/7 or the Tritons website blog for all of the details.  We’ll try to get a copy of the recent Triathlete Magazine article out to members.

AMERICAN MIRACLE, JASON LEZAK
Give the gift of inspiration for the holidays.
The most unforgettable stock stuffer available in Montana!

Click on the audio file below and get inspired!
Support the event, Eagle Mount, local US Aquatics Sports Teams and the Tritons!

JANUARY 2009 - TRITON LOOK-AHEAD CALENDAR

TRITON TIDBITS
Homestake Lodge, Butte
From Chris Axelson, Homestake Lodge Owner & Triton Sponsor. 12/19.  We have some pretty good skiing over here.  Last night we received another couple of inches.  If you plan on coming over, bring a lunch and relax in the new Lodge and then go out for some more fun in the afternoon.  Hopefully, after the first of the year we’ll have our soup and sandwich bar open.  Mandy and I look forward to seeing you at Homestake Lodge.

Grizzly Triathlon, Missoula, April 11
From Giles Thelen, Grizzly Triathlon Race Director.  The race organizers are meeting this week to talk about final entry forms, fees, etc.  All the information will be posted at www.signmeup.com.  Currently, signmeup shows registration opening on Monday, January 12.  Last year, the event sold out quickly, and ultimately had over 100 people on the waiting list.  Don’t be left out!

Special Olympics, Bozeman, May 15
Tritons Art Thompson & Sherri Pearson are serving as the Triathlon Race Directors for the 2009 Special Olympics, coming to Bozeman this Spring.  The race is planned for Friday morning, May 15.  Additional Triton volunteers are needed.  If interested, please contact Art or Sherri.

Treasure State Triathlon, Bozeman, June 21
Half Ironman, Three Forks, July
From Tony Brendgard, Fleet Feet Owner, Treasure State Triathlon Race Director & Triton Sponsor.  The Olympic Distance Treasure State Triathlon (TST) is moving to June 21, 2009, in anticipation of our new ½ Ironman race in Three Forks in July!  It makes sense to have the Olympic Distance race, in advance of the half iron.  Additionally, the TST was selected as a Best of the US Amateur Triathlete qualifier race for Montana.  Additional information is available at www.bestoftheustriathletes.com.  The Bozeman Sunrise Rotary Club will support the event this year, too.

Spring Meadow Triathlon, Helena, July 12
From Mike Jacobson, Spring Meadow Triathlon Race Director.  Mike forwarded entry forms for the event and noted that the Olympic Distance SMT is a Special Qualifier for the USAT National Age Group Championships.  The top 33% or top 5 people (whichever is greater) per age group will qualify for the 2009 Age Group Nationals.  Let me know if you would like an .pdf entry form.  Registration available at www.active.com.

USAT Pacific Northwest Region, Helena
From Ann Gilbert, USAT Pacific Northwest Region Treasurer.  Check out the regional website at www.usat-pnw.org.  Stay up-to-date on regional news.  Get free stuff.  Check out the XTerra Wetsuit Contest!

CompuTrainer, Seattle, WA
From Chuck Wurster, CompuTrainer/RacerMate Owner & Triton Sponsor.  Congratulations to the Tritons for winning the regional championship!

Rudy Project, San Clemente, CA
From Paul Craig, Rudy Project USA President/Co-Founder & Triton Sponsor.  Rudy Project looks forward to supporting you and working with the Bozeman Triathlon Club, and getting Roc-N-Sol Optical to be THE place for triathletes in the Bo-Zone.  More on this sponsorship at the Tri Camp on January 17th.

Ironman World Championships, Kona, HI
From Marlow Stevens, fellow Triton.  I have a DVD recording of the recent Kona Ironman World Championships.  Marlow would be happy to burn any Triton a copy, if you want one.  Contact Marlow at mstevens@rightnow.com.  BTW, Linsey Corbin of Missoula, MT took 5th overall and she was the first American woman at the Ironman World Championships in Kona!