Congratulations to Shane Deeley and Jennifer Walz for their overall wins at the 1st ( and hopefully annual) Top Gun F1 Juniors Triathlon.
16 athletes ranging in age from 13 to 19 started this flat and fast super sprint draft legal race. The swim was in a protected lagoon. Athletes had to complete 2 laps of 200 yds each exiting the water to start the 2nd loop. Athletes were lined up and called out to simulate the ITU feel that may of our top Professional ITU racers experience at the Pan American and World Cup levels. Men started first with the ladies starting 10 seconds later.
Athletes had a 500 ft sprint across paved sidewalk to mount their bikes for a 2 lap ~ 10K bike. Athletes were met with some VERY strong headwinds for 50% of the bike so those that could get in and stay in a draft. Spectators and competitors for the Youth super sprint race that followed got to watch the race unfold.
In the men's race John Gerard Farese put a significant gap on the field during the swim and held on to the lead until the second loop of the bike. The fierce pace of the organized 3 man group of Shane Deeley, Cody Sandford and Jose Baez was too quick for John to jump on and these guys pulled away. Coming into T2 it was Shane and Cody side by side with Jose off the pace but in the hunt for a podium finish. On the 2 lap ~ 1.5 mile run Shane pulled away for the win with Cody and Jose holding strong onto 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
In the women's race, Jennifer Walz ( 2009 18-19 AG National Champion) took hold of the lead during the swim and held on for a dominate win. Making chase was Ciara Hopkins ( 2009 Youth ( 12yo) National Champion) who held strong to her 2nd place finish. Savannah Dearden managed to round out the podium with the woman's best run.
Jen celebrating her win with sparkling grape juice!
Congratulations to all the athletes who took part in the F1 race.
BIG thank you to Fred Ryzmek, Carl Allison, Brian Harrington and the staff with Florida Race Place and USAT Florida Region Council for supporting this event. Next year we hope to have a bigger and better F1 event.
