Potts, Haskins Win Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon
It was Potts’ sixth victory at Alcatraz and the first for Haskins.
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Americans Andy Potts and Sarah Haskins earned the victories at today’s Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco, Calif. The iconic race moved back to its traditional June race date after it was held in March last year due to the America’s Cup sailing competition. It was Potts’ sixth victory at Alcatraz, while it was the first for Haskins—who has been on fire this year after taking 2013 off to give birth to her daughter Caroline.
RELATED PHOTOS: Pre-Race From Escape From Alcatraz
Men’s Race
Potts used his experience on this course to navigate his way through the rough water 1.5-mile swim in a time of 27:54. Strong swimmer Josh Amberger (AUS) followed at 28:22. Graham O’Grady (NZL) and Jon Bird (CAN) followed at 28:45, with Bevan Docherty (NZL) on their heels. It was two-time Olympic medalist Docherty had the fastest bike split of the day, but Potts also had a strong bike and that combined with the dominant swim gave him a solid lead heading on to the eight-mile run and the infamous Equinox Sand Ladder (400 steps up the cliff). Potts’ had the fastest time up the ladder and carried the moment to the finish line, taking the victory in 2:04:21. Docherty’s 44:14 run split led the field, but he ended up short of catching Potts. He settled for second in 2:04:59. Amberger was third at 2:08:37.
RELATED PHOTOS: 2014 Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon
Women’s Race
Haskins exited the water with star swimmer Sara McLarty (USA) at 28:50. Radka Vodickova (CZE) and Laura Bennett (USA) followed just over a minute later, with Ricarda Lisk (GER), Emily Cocks (USA) and Leanda Cave (GBR) coming into transition not long after. Reigning Ironman world champion Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) had a great swim to come out of the water only a few minutes behind the lead swimmers. Haskins dominated the 18-mile bike ride in a time of 52:50 and started the run with a solid lead. Carfrae had the second-fastest bike of the women, and started the run primed to move up in position. As Haskins looked strong out front, Carfrae blazed through the run course behind her. Haskins’ 50:24 run time gave her the 2:17:42 victory. Carfrae crossed the finish line in second only 23 seconds later thanks to a field-leading 47:28 run split. Lisk rounded out the top three less than a minute later.
Escape From Alcatraz
San Francisco, Calif. – June 1, 2014
1.5-mile swim, 18-mile bike, 8-mile run
Men
1. Andy Potts (USA) 2:04:21
2. Bevan Docherty (NZL) 2:04:59
3. Josh Amberger (AUS) 2:08:37
4. Graham O’Grady (NZL) 2:10:21
5. Brian Fleischmann (USA) 2:11:36
Women
1. Sarah Haskins (USA) 2:17:42
2. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 2:18:05
3. Ricarda Lisk (GER) 2:18:52
4. Radka Vodickova (CZE) 2:20:07
5. Leanda Cave (GBR) 2:23:39