Lavelle Third in Chicago, Flanagan Sets Course Record in Sayonara

In another triathlon-filled weekend in the U.S., TYR’s Becky Lavelle rounded out the podium with a third place finish at Sunday, August 30th's Life Time Fitness Chicago triathlon, while John Flanagan set a new swim course record at the Ford Ironman Lousiville triathlon in the Tracer Sayonara the same day. Lavelle entered the Chicago race after winning the event the prior year. In the sprint distance, she kept close with competitors Sarah Haskins and Sarah Groff of Colorado Springs, CO, splitting 21:08 in the swim, 1:01:36 in the bike, and a closing 39:12 run split. Despite the strong bike leg that held off Groff and left her trailing closely behind Haskin, she was unable to repeat the victory-closing her race behind the two in 2:02:45. With her performance, Lavelle remains in first place in the 2009 Life Time Fitness triathlon series, with 25,000 points- 1,000 ahead of Rebeccah Wassner, and 5,000 over Sarah Haskins. She will compete in the last two stops on the tour- Los Angeles and Dallas- for her chance at the $20,000 bonus purse. TYR-sponsored Andy Potts of Colorado Springs, CO also toed the starting line in Chicago after coming off a prominent win at Ironman 70.3 Timberman the week prior. Emerging out of the water in the Tracer Sayonara first, he mounted his bike and was battling with close competitor Matt Reed. Speeding along on the bike leg down Lakeshore Drive, he collided with an age-group competitor and was ousted off his bike. Rushed to the hospital, he reportedly suffered extensive abrasions but is said to be ok. Further south, Hawaii’s Flanagan had a stellar swim split in Lousiville, emerging from the water in the Sayanora with a new swim course record of 44:54. Displaying his ability to race amongst the sport’s top contenders, he remained consistent throughout the race to finish sixth. Return to TYR.com for race updates on sponsored triathletes as they enter the heat of their season, gearing up for the world championships.