World champions expected for 19th Vineman 70.3 triathlon

To casual observers, the thought of finishing a triathlon of any
distance is a daunting one. The level of fitness required, hours of
grueling training, and pain endured make it seem like an
unreachable goal.
However, thousands of triathletes will overcome all obstacles
when they descend upon Sonoma County this month for the 19th annual
Vineman Ironman 70.3 race on July 19.
The annual test of will begins at dawn in Guerneville with a
1.2-mile swim, continues with a majestic, 56-mile bike ride through
Sonoma County vineyards, and finishes up with a 13.1-mile run that
comes to a merciful end at Windsor High School.
Last year, 23 year-old New Zealander Torrenzo Bozzone captured
the men’s crown, setting a new course record of 3:49:40 in beating
out former 70.3 champions Craig Alexander (Australia) and Steve
Larsen for the top prize. 
The 2008 women’s race came down to a duel between 2007 Ironman
Brazil champ, Joanna Zeiger and Tyler Stewart, one of the top
cyclists in the women’s field.  Zeiger came out on top, besting
Stewart by a mere 22 seconds to win in 4:19:58.
This year’s Vineman 70.3 race figures to be one of the most
hotly contested ever, with its growing popularity and demand
expanding the number of participants to a record 2100.
Alexander, the reigning 2008 Ironman 70.3 world champion, will
attempt to reclaim the Vineman 70.3 title he relinquished a year
ago. He looks to enter the race in good form, fresh off of several
victories that include: Ironman 70.3 Geelong (Australia), Singapore
70.3, Ironman 70.3 Hawaii and most recently, an impressive win at
the Ironman 70.3 Boise. 
Alexander will have his hands full in the Vineman this year,
competing against fellow countryman Luke McKenzie, who finished
third in the Hawaii Ironman 70.3, newcomer Reinaldo Colucci of
Brazil, and another fellow Aussie, Joe Gambles, who took third at
Ironman 70.3 Boise.
Zeiger, the reigning women’s 2008 World Foster Grant Champion,
is coming off of a tremendous 2008 racing season that featured wins
at Eagleman Ironman 70.3 in June, Vineman Ironman 70.3 in July, and
two wins in September at the 5430 Boulder Long Course and Ironman
70.3 Muskoka.  Her last victory came in November at the 70.3 Foster
Grant World Championship in Clearwater Springs, FL.
Zeiger will be facing an impressive field of women at this
year’s Vineman 70.3 that includes Tracy Robertson, Pip Taylor,
Alexis Smith, Becky Lavelle, Linsey Corbin and Dede Griesbauer. 
Her toughest opponent could well be last year’s Vineman runner-up,
Tyler Stewart, who recently posted a victory at the Ford Ironman
Coeur d’Alene.
The Vineman 70.3 kicks off a series of events that also includes
the 20th annual Full Vineman, and the ninth annual Barb’s Race on
August 1. 
Barb’s Race, an all women’s 70.3 distance triathlon, is named
for race founder and tireless volunteer Barbara Recchia of
Healdsburg. The event has raised over $265,000 toward the fight
against cancer.
Vintage bicycle  show on tap
The Windsor Farmers Market will host a Classic and Vintage
bicycle show on July 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The bikes, dating
back to the 1930’s, will be lined up and on display under the arbor
on the Windsor Town Green. For more information on the bike show
contact Glenda at 433-8366 (home), or 483-4242 (cell).