IM AZ Pros: Leanda Cave

Leanda Cave is looking for another chance. The 30-year-old Welsh triathlete did not finish the World Championships last month and wants redemption in a season that she has logged several tape-breaking performances. She was first at the legendary Escape From Alcatraz, first at the Florida 70.3 and first at the Nautica Triathlon in Miami. We tracked down the former ITU World Champion for her thoughts on Ironman Arizona.

TS: Why did you decide to race Ironman Arizona?
Leanda: Unfortunately I ended up with a bad cold in Kona and had to retire from the competition after the bike. However, I was extremely fit, and still am. So I wanted to use this fitness while I have it and do another Ironman. Arizona gives me this opportunity as well as the potential to qualify for Kona next year.


TS: Did you do anything special to prepare for our dry, dusty, hot or windy conditions?
Leanda: I have been training a lot in Tucson over the last few months and, in fact, my boyfriend/coach, Torsten Abel, and I are moving there this week. So I am very familiar with the weather conditions in Arizona.

TS: What's next after Ironman Arizona?
Leanda: I haven't looked at a race schedule for 2009 at this point. I know I will be racing in Roth, Germany. Then I am looking at IM UK.

TS: You had a bit of a tough go of it at Kona this year. Did you pick up any bit of information from that experience that might help you race in Arizona?
Leanda: Kona is always a learning experience. In fact, I have so much to learn. Its kind of like swimming. Some people are natural swimmers or runners, and others have to plug away at it for a long time to see progress. I feel I will be plugging away for a while before I get it right.

TS: As a professional, do you have any advice for age groupers out there?
Leanda: There are many points in the race when your head is knocking on the door and wants you to give up. Don't answer the door!

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IM AZ Pros: Paul Ambrose

At 23, Australian Paul Ambrose is already making waves. He's been tearing up the 70.3 circuit this year, finishing third in Rhode Island with a smoking time of 3:57:48. Ambrose also nipped at the heels of German great Faris Al-Sultan in St. Croix and battled it out with a 4:03:35 finish at the California 70.3 earlier this year. He's decided to step it up a notch with Ironman Arizona, the first Ironman-distance event for this up-and-comer. We caught up with him this week ...

TS: You're young and have been at the top of a lot of lists of people to keep a eye on down the road. Does that pressure to perform motivate you?
Paul: To be honest, I don't really get caught up with what people expect or think of what I could do or how I'm going to perform for that particular race. I just go into every race the same, to try and perform my best and to possibly learn something that I can take from each and every event and the competitors that I may race against.

TS: Why race Ironman Arizona?
Paul: Well, I've wanted to race an Ironman for quite some time now, but being one of the younger competitors I just didn't believe that I had the aerobic engine to handle such a grueling event. Arizona worked out perfectly for a testing ground for my Ironman debut, as it will be my last race for the 2008 season, so I won't have to worry about upcoming races and how long I will recover from this type of event. And IM Arizona has such a prestigious history and showcases some of the best athletes from around the world.

TS: Did you do anything special to prepare for our dry, dusty, hot or windy conditions?
Paul: Yes, I went down to Boca Raton, Florida for six weeks to train for the Clearwater 70.3 world champs, which was a perfect lead up race for IM Arizona. This was ideal, with constant windy days, quite hot and humid at times, which I believe will be an ideal training prep for Arizona outside of training actually in Arizona itself.

TS: What's next after Ironman Arizona?
Paul: Well, I have to get through this IM first. So, I don't want to think that far ahead. I don't know how racing the IM will effect me both physically and mentally. I just want to go out there and enjoy myself as best I can. Though spit balling, I've always wanted to race IM Australia as my family and close friends could come an watch.


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Chat Up Pro Triathletes at Triple Sports

Chat up a slew of pro athletes competing in Ironman Arizona. Chris McDonald, Chris Brown, Sara Gross, Tyler Stewart and Frederik Van Lierde will all be on hand from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20th to answer your queries and sign your hats. Joanna Zeiger may be dropping by as well. Oh, and to add to the festivities we're taking 25% off ANY non-sale item in the store during this event only.

Aussie Chris McDonald won Ironman Wisconsin in September and the SOMA Half Ironman in October. In 2008, McDonald also took 2nd at Ironman Louisville and 4th at the Roth Challenge and at Ironman China. McDonald competed in his first triathlon in 2001 and his first Ironman in 2002. He went pro in 2004. He's been training in Tucson in preparation for IMAZ + is sponsored by Blue Seventy.

Canadian Chris Brown has been racing pro for three years. He placed third at Ironman Canada in 2007 and more recently took first place at the Las Vegas Half Ironman and the Blue Water Half Ironman in Parker, Ariz. Brown, 26, is a Canadian National Long Distance Champion. He's also a very nice, super humble guy who is sponsored by Zoot.

Canadian Sara Gross finished 2nd at Ironman Canada in 2007 and 4th at Ironman Australia that same year. She's not competing at IMAZ this year, but she's darn fast and has agreed to drop in because she's super nice, too!

Tyler Stewart holds title to the fastest Ironman bike split of all time -- 4:47.59 -- 2007 Ironman Florida. The San Francisco business owner and pro triathlete came in 2nd at both the Hawaii and Vineman 70.3 races this year. She also captured 2nd at Ironman Lake Placid in 2007 and took the top spot at 70.3 Cancun in 2007.

Frederik Van Lierde was ITU racings European champion in 2007 and finished second earlier this year at Ironman New Zealand. If that were not enough, he took top honors at the Splash + Dash on Saturday.

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IM AZ Pros: Frederik Van Lierde

Having placed second at Ironman New Zealand earlier this year, Frederik Van Lierde, 29, was primed for a good season of racing. He got part of that on Saturday - at the Splash + Dash in Tempe. Van Lierde, who has spent more of his career on the short course, was in town and looking for a tune-up in Tempe Town Lake before Sunday's running of Ironman Arizona. He found it at this local event, winning it in 32:40.7. So, with the taste of victory still lingering, could Van Lierde do a repeat on Sunday? We caught up with him this week.



TS: Why race Ironman Arizona?

Frederik: I decided to do IM AZ after a disappointing performance in Hawaii. I DNF'd there because of cramps in my right calf. Although my race was very good till then. Came out with the first group after the swim. Did a solid bike ride (4h40') and came in 15th in T2. So every chance to make the top 10 ...

TS: Any special preparations for our dry, dusty, hot and windy conditions?

Frederik: I try to come early to the place where the event is. Like now, for Arizona, I'm here since Tuesday, the 11th of November, so I can train in those conditions, see what the circuit is like, time change ...

TS: After IM AZ, what's next?

Frederik: After IM AZ I'll take a short break and will then prepare for IM NZ where I got second this year. In between I'll do 70.3 IM South Africa on the 18th of January.

TS: You are married and have two sons. How do you find the time to train and still see your family?


Frederik: If there's a possibility, (holiday) my family comes with me. We just spent six weeks in Hawaii together. But of course this isn't always possible. I'm a pro, so when I'm home I can spend more time with my kids than a dad with a 'normal" job.

TS: One last (annoying) question ...

Frederik: No, I'm not related to Luc Van Lierde. Everybody asks me this question. He's one of the best guys ever in triathlon and I'm running around with the same name. He lives like 30 miles from where I live.

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Rental Wetsuit Sale

Ever borrow a wetsuit that didn't fit? Have your eyes on that $50 waterski wetsuit at the local warehouse club? Don't want to shell out the bucks for a new wetsuit? Our once-in-a-while rental wetsuit sale may be just the event for you.

We're selling off our fleet of rental wetsuits to make room for a brand new run of rubberwear in 2009. Blue Seventy and Zoot wetsuits can be had for $125 or less - sleeveless or full sleeve, men's and women's wetsuits are all available. We get lots of requests throughout the year for deals on these wetsuits. That means they won't last long. Making matters more competitive, we're selling these on a first-come, first-served basis and will not hold or otherwise reserve any in advance of the sale. For the best selection, arrive early, which begins at 10 a.m. on Sat. Nov. 29 at Triple Sports, 4032 N. Miller Rd. in Downtown Scottsdale.

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