No problem at Clermont as sprint triathlon draws 900

By JESSICA A. MUNDIE

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 14, 2000

CLERMONT -- Internet chat room postings about drownings and record-low water levels in Lake Minneola did not keep 900 triathletes from lining up on Clermont's beach to compete in Sunday's first sprint triathlon of the summer.

Last month, Clermont officials decided to close the beach for public swimming due to two drownings. Drought conditions caused lake levels to recede 5 feet and the novice swimmers, who ignored warning signs, got into trouble when they encountered deep pits that were dug in the 1950s for beach sand.

But it seemed to be business as usual at Lake Minneola on race day as the city opened Waterfront Park for race director Fred Sommer of CFT Sommer/Sports to stage the triathlon. An exception was more lifeguard boats, which were reassuring for the large crowd of first-time triathletes.

Overcast conditions produced some fast times for the hilly, sprint-distance event (.25-mile swim, 11-mile bike leg, 3.1-mile run).

Brian Fleischmann, 21, of Tallahassee exited the water in 4 minutes, 53 seconds and never looked back to beat defending series champion David Picciano in 48:12. Clermont's Kelly Burwash, 31, was the first female out of the swim-to-bike transition and won the elite women's division in 58:53.

Kathleen Kaye, 41, of St. Petersburg was the top master in 59:41. Kaye, an Ironman-distance specialist who said she came to Clermont for some fun and speed training, ended up finishing with the fifth-fastest overall female time.

Other bay area division winners: Jonathan Deupree, 11, Palm Harbor, 1:11:32; Brianne Harrington, 21, St. Petersburg, 1:03:46; Lara Shaw, 28, Tampa, 59:15; Mark Shaffer, 31, Valrico, 54:10; Patti Farese, 38, North Redington Beach, 58:54; Danny Stevens, 46, Dunnellon, 56:35; Sofia Bereza, 51, Clearwater, 1:07:42; Mary Finegold, 58, Bradenton, 1:24:54;

Don Ardell, 61, Tampa, 59:52; Shirley Taylor, 67, Largo, 1:23:57; Dennis Gatto, 65, South Pasadena, 1:12:08; Marv Norin, 73, Longboat Key, 1:18:49; Jackie Yost, 72, Treasure Island, 1:36:48; Clydesdale Reece Haettich, 31, Tampa, 57:04; Clydesdale Robert Stevens, 42, Dunnellon, 1:01:09; Athena Stephanie Doyal, 27, Tampa, 1:10:19; and Athena Paula Boyle, 30, Tampa, 1:03:41.

CFT/Sommer Sports will host sprint triathlon No. 2 on July 17 at Lake Minneola. For information, call (352) 394-1320 or check www.triflorida.com.

CALLING ALL USAT OFFICIALS: St. Pete Mad Dogs are always into some big project. Their latest is trying to increase the number of USA Triathlon race officials in Florida. Wendy and Alan Johnson are leading the way following an officials clinic held just before St. Anthony's Triathlon in April.

"We want to upgrade the quality of races in Florida," Alan Johnson said. "We are trying to train members of our club and all others who are interested in becoming USA Triathlon officials. This is a good thing. We will have another big clinic in Clermont on Sept. 23, just before the Florida Challenge half-Ironman race. We expect lots of interest."

Joining Johnson in becoming Florida's newest USA Triathlon officials are Duke Breitenback, Susan Coates and Michael Gars.

For further information on becoming an official, check out www.usatriathlon.org. ARDELL'S WELLNESS REPORT: After winning his age group by double digits, Dr. Don Ardell, a duathlon (run/bike/run) and triathlon world champion, distributed copies of the 56th edition of his Ardell Wellness Report, a newsletter that is popular around the University of South Florida, among other places in the world.

Ardell's latest issue covers a wide range of topics such as healthy ways to travel, senior adults and falls, the benefits of avocados, fitness gaps between the rich and poor, whether there are reliable indicators of middle age, an assessment of political correctness on college campuses, and a set of responsibility rules attributed to Microsoft's Bill Gates.

Check out Ardell's Web site at www.wellnessweb.com, or send e-mail to Ardell at donardel@tampabay.rr.com.

NEW LANCE BOOK: An addition to any multisport enthusiast's summer reading list might be Lance Armstrong's new book, It's Not About The Bike, My Journey Back to Life, by G.P. Putnam's Sons, ISBN 0399146113.

Armstrong, who won the Tour de France last season after coming back from testicular cancer, also got married, had a son, and is set to ride the Olympic road race in Sydney, Australia, this fall. Armstrong said he feels lucky, and this book reflects his determination and courage.

MOUNTAIN BIKERS FEEL HEAT: Gone Riding's mountain bike race organizer, David Berger of Ocala, is trying to help riders beat the heat and dry, sandy conditions on washed-out trails.

Some off-road competitors said they felt relieved when recent races near Ocala were shortened to prevent dehydration.

"Things have been tough this year, both heat and race course conditions," Berger said. "Riders are still training, but it is discouraging. This is bad, as were the conditions during that big storm a few seasons ago. Trails at Belleview are eroding, just totally collapsing. We need some rain soon!"

For further mountain bike racing information, call Berger at (352) 873-9279 or check out www.goneriding.com.

SPINNING CLASSES: Clearwater's Renee Bessone, a former personal trainer in Beverly Hills, Calif., has relocated her exercise studio here and is offering fitness classes, including calorie-burning aerobics and high-intensity bicycle spinning classes for all levels of men and women. She can be reached at (727) 442-4181 or by e-mail at Renee.Bessone@aciomint.com.

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