The Racing is Under Way...3b

Joanne is the first to hit the water at 1:53pm PST along with the 47 others in the 35-39 age division. As in yesterday's race, today's field is full of Aussies, 146 total to be exact, along with 37 from NZL, 30 from CAN, 58 from GBR, and 58 from the US.

A few minutes later at 1:57pm PST Reene and Sue along with the 42 in the 45-49 age division are up and they will eventually be followed at 2:01pm PST by the 43 in the 55-59 age division including Kim, Darlene and Anne.

Sprint triathlons are about going all-out and not make any mistakes in the tranistions. With the marging between finishers measured in single seconds it is easy to drop 10, 15 or more spots in no time. In a big race like this, with a large transition area with over 800 bikes (the men are also racing) lined up a few feet apart in row after row, getting lost is costly.

The run and bike here are both flat so it takes a lot of focus and mental strength to keep the pressure up. In a short race like this that lasts just over one hour there is no marging for making up lost time along the way so it is really about who wants to suffer the most and the longest.