NTC Squad

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

More Longmont Pics. - look at these last

Andrew taking his position at the start line

Rachael and Sara Ann, getting their medals from Hunter Kemper.

As you can see Canada dominated... 1st and 2nd!!

All smiles....

Team Canada with Samantha McGlone.

Jeff, 3rd place.

JP checking out the prize.... only for the Americans !!! But at least he has his flag!!.

Hunter Kemper introducing himself to Team Canada.
He is so overwhelmed by our success!!!

Longmont Pics - look at this one first

The Denver airport, it was so big there was a high speed subway that took you to your gate area.

Patrick on the bus holding on to the bike boxes. We got some interesting looks
on that bus ride !!!

Team Canada in the hotel lobby. Off for a quick run in the sun and heat.

The athletes loved those giant American sized portions.

Union Reservoir - Swim practise on Day 2

Heading out into the heat for a run.

Race Meeting - Checking out the competition !!!

Matt- just before the race. Had to keep his towel
on in case he got cold !!

The Start. Our guys are at the far end...

The Finish. No race pics, I was too busy learning how to use the stopwatch !!!

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Longmont Day 4 and VICTORY

Race day... not to early a start, guys went out at 7 am for a 20 min. bike warm up, quick breakfast, then to the race site. Girls followed a bit later as they were scheduled to start 45 mins later. Weather was cooperating, not too hot and slightly overcast. Men finally started at 9:50, Aaron and Jeff were seeded to start the race and managed to get a swim start spot saved for Matt quite close to them, which was great. There are no results posted yet so we don't have splits. They should be available soon. The day got hotter as the race progressed, clouds cleared and the men had a hot run. Very exciting finish with Jeff finishing 3rd and Aaron, 6th or 7th. Both Matt and Mark (from Manitoba) were in the top 20 out of a field of 63, which was really awesome.

Women started at approx 10:30 and it just got hotter. Onto the run, 2 American women were out in front, 50 seconds ahead of Sara Ann (Manitoba) and Rachael (Sask.) At the finish of the run, Sara Ann was first and Rachel was 2nd. Canada rocked in this race. 400 metres from the finish line, Kyla Coates was running in 3rd but unfortunately couldn't finish due to heat exhaustion. But with Alex Coates coming up close behind her, the Canadian women held on to win the USA/Canada Challenge.

This race was great for the Canadians overall and our Canadian flags were a hit. Christine Ridenhour won the girls youth (13-15 year old) race and Scott Carlye was 5th in the boys youth race.

Up early to travel back to Victoria tomorrow and we are all looking forward to moderate temperatures. It was 95 degrees F (35 celsius) today in Long mont!!!!

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Day 3 Longmont

still no camera pics... this computer just can't seem to find my camera, even though i am staring right at it...... arg.... !!!!

This morning it was breakfast buffet again, then off to the swim site, this time the lifeguard is on duty and lots of athletes are there swimming and checking out the water. It was 76 degrees today in the water, so no wet suits which is good for the fast swimmers !!! Notice how i am into American language... what is 76 in Celsius ??? Had to be careful driving on the freeway as I kept trying to figure how fast i was going in km and not in mph... safety got the better of me and so I started to think in mph. After the swim, the kids went for a run on the course, by then it was already I think 30 degrees or so.. hot but not too bad... maybe it is because it is dry. No major complaints about altitude issues, hopefully it won't be a big factor tomm. After the run, back to the hotel for lunch, rest for the kids, then to the race meeting and package pickup at 3. Was a bit of a gong show when we got there. they had to move the package pickup as it was way too crowded. Then the meeting.. not much there... then back to the hotel, out for earlish dinner, the boys are shaving and everyone seems to be in good form and ready to RACE FAST!! We have a good number of Canadian parents here with the younger kids and so our Canadian flags should be out in full force.

Alex and Kyla's bike boxes showed up at the hotel in the middle of the night so all was good !!

Will post tomm. night, by then maybe the camera will work... we shall see, if not, when I get home i will put up the pics.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Day 2 Longmont

Well now that my computer is working again,....the camera won't load the pics... tommorrow's project I guess. The hotel is amazing, the breakfast included is great and I think the athletes ate their fair share today for sure !!! Then it was off to Union Reservoir for a swim practise. 1/2 way through they were told they had to stop swimming as there were no lifeguards on duty... i can only imagine what the kids were thinking... I left to travel back to the Denver Airport to pick up Kerrie Ann, only managing to get lost coming out to the parking lot and not being able to find the van... too funny.. quickly we realized we needed to be in the other parking lot !! I think they make all rental cars look the same !!!

They biked the course, after the swim, said it was not very technical, then a quick stop at the local Safeway to buy lunch and other supplies, then a 3 hour rest. Late afternoon a 30 minute run, in I think, 30 plus temps, off to local pizza/pasta place for a quick dinner, then across the street to a movie. Some went to Hairspray, some to Bourne Ultimatium... wow that was a lot of shooting and wrecked cars !!!

Alex and Kyla Coates and their Dad, Grant arrived later in the afternoon, but not with their bike boxes .. thanks United Airlines !!! They hopefully will be here in the morning.

As soon as I get my next technical challenge figured out I will post some pics... much more interesting that words..

Barb.