Adventurer and Triathlete, Slater Fletcher, made it all seem easy as he paddled, biked and ran to complete the Vail Lake Multisport Course.  It certainly looked easy from the view of the spectators, but Slater said he was pushing hard.  Slater's admitted weakest event, the run, was the last event of the day.  Slater said it was a hard run and although he had a 10 minute lead at the start of the run, he couldn't help but look over his shoulder to see if runner-up, Josh Williams was making up time.  In the end, Slater finished 13 minutes ahead of 2nd place to capture the top podium spot of the first 2009 California Multisport event. Philip Tinstman had an amazing bike seciton that put him on top the blue box, 3rd place.

 

On the women's side, this was the race to watch. Early leader Kim Williams, ultra runner and adventurer of Big Bear was first off the paddle and held a good lead as the women headed out on the mountain bike loop.  Snowshoe Champion Tiffany Meyers made up time on the bike and was on Kim's wheel as the two descended the final technical single-track.  Kim managed to pull a small lead as Tiffany bobbled on the steep rutty course.   But it just wasn't enough to hold off Tiffany on the run loop.  Tiffany handled the run loop barely breaking a sweat and led the women's field at the top of the podium. Los Angeles runner/triathlete Theresa Uhrig made a roaring comeback to land a second, with expert mountain biker Amber Naughton of Flagstaff rounding out the podium.

 

Junior standout, 17 year old Mexican national Ramon Escobar of Tecate, Baja landed 5th place over all, winning the Junior division. Tyler Perry was rock solid in second and mountaineer star Jordan Romero of Big Bear Lake, age 12, rounded out the podium of juniors slowed by the only puncture of the race.

 

Complete results and more stories posted here tomorrow.

 

Thanks again to all of the volunteers who worked from sun up to sun down to really made this event happen.

 

The Podiums

 

Women

1. Tiffany Meyers

2. Teresa Uhrig

3. Amber Naughton

 

Men

1. Slater Fletcher

2. Josh Williams

3. Philip Tinstman

 

Junior

1. Ramon

2. Tyler Peery

3. Jordan Romero

 

Relay

1. Monique Fletcher, Luke Weins, Nick

 

Congratulations to all the competitors.