Ironman Lake Placid Pro Race Preview
Andy Potts and fellow American Cait Snow highlight the pro start list.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
For this Sunday’s 15th running of Ironman Lake Placid—the oldest Ironman in the continental United States—defending champ Andy Potts and fellow American Cait Snow highlight the pro start list. The race takes place in the scenic Adirondack Mountains, and the town of Lake Placid has been host to two Olympic Games (1932 and 1980).
The course starts with a rolling swim start for two loops in Mirror Lake, followed by a transition in the Olympic Speed Skating Oval. The two-loop bike course includes climbs in the Adirondacks before the marathon through town and around the lake.
PHOTOS: Look Back On 2012 Ironman Lake Placid
Men’s Race
In the men’s race, defending champion Potts is a heavy favorite for the win, and he will very likely lead from start to finish with his powerful swim. Last year, he dominated this course, winning by more than half an hour over second place.
To fill in the rest of the podium, Italian Daniel Fontana has a good shot, as he’s had victories at a few Ironman 70.3’s. Other competition comes from Hungarian Balazs Csoke, the 2011 Ironman Korea champ; American Tim Snow, who finished fifth on this course in 2010 and American Douglas MacLean, who finished fifth on this course last year.
Women’s Race
American Caitlin Snow is the top female lining up in Lake Placid this Sunday. As a multiple top-10 finisher at the Ironman World Championship, she has a blistering run split that could blow away the field. Her top competition will come from fellow American and veteran pro Dede Griesbauer, who has a few Ironman titles under her belt; Team TBB athlete Carrie Lester of Australia, who won Ironman Cairns last year; and American Jacqui Gordon, who was third on this course last year. Another top name on the start list is American Hillary Biscay, who will be racing her 62nd Ironman race, and finished third in Lake Placid in 2008.
Pro Men
Andy Potts (USA)
Daniel Fontana (ITA)
Patrick Wheeler (USA)
Chad Holderbaum (USA)
Aubrey Aldy (USA)
Rene Vallant (AUT)
Tom Wood (USA)
Tim Snow (USA)
Ryan Cain (CAN)
Patrick Wheeler (USA)
Douglas MacLean (USA)
Jim LaMastra (USA)
Jared Milam (USA)
Chris Glibert (USA)
Nathan Buttrick (USA)
Logan Franks (USA)
Ian Mikelson (USA)
Ryan Bates (USA)
Brad Seng (USA)
Brendan Halpin (USA)
Sean Bechtel (CAN)
John Hirsch (USA)
Peter Kotland (USA)
Scott DeFilippis (USA)
Vinny Johnson (USA)
Balazs Csoke (HUN)
Pro Women
Hillary Biscay (USA)
Caitlin Snow (USA)
Carrie Lester (AUS)
Dede Griesbauer (USA)
Jacqui Gordon (USA)
Robin Sandos (USA)
Kimberly Schwabenbauer (USA)
Kelly Fillnow (USA)
Suzanne Serpico (USA)
Danielle Kehoe (USA)
Mackenzie Madison (USA)
Marie Danais (CAN)
Molly Roohi (USA)
Katy Blakemore (USA)
Jennie Hansen (USA)
Kristin Andrews (USA)
Sharon Schmidt-Mongrain (USA)
Our Twitter followers are the first to know about the latest in triathlon news. Follow us now @Triathletemag.