After the first two races in the Series, Grant Rice has established a narrow lead over defending champ Steve Wright.  Rice finished just ahead of Wright at the season opener Hyannis Sprint Triathlon.  Rice also bested Wright at Cohasset two weeks later, but the two were beated by a dominant Jake Shoemaker (2nd overall) and Tim Steiskal, both doing their first race of the season.  As we head into July, the Junior Men’s division is shaping up to be the most competitive yet.

In the Junior Women’s division, Ashley Thrower and Stephanie have each notched one win, leaving the series tied up.  

New this year is a 13-15 division.  Among the Youth Girls, Katherine De Zutter has staked an early claim on the title, winning both Hyannis and Cohasset.  De Zutter’s time in Hyannis would have won the 16-19 division as well.  On the Youth Boys side, Paul Gannett and Tim Cavanaro each have one win to their name.

The series moves north to the Black Fly Triathlon on July 12th.   

Athletes can now register for the Fort Taber USAT Northeast Regional Junior Elite Cup to take place on August 1st in New Bedford, MA.  Details here: 

http://www.sunmultisportevents.com/Junior_Elite_Cup.htm

This event will offer athletes 13-19 a taste of Olympic-style triathlon.  All participants will complete a super-sprint, multilap course that is closed to traffic and very spectator-friendly.  This is a must-do for anyone going to Youth Elite or Junior Elite Nationals the following weekend.  The wave starts will be designed to maximize the draft-legal experience.

Prior to the Junior Elite Cup, a Youth event for ages 8-12 will take place on the same, but shorter, course.  Bring your younger siblings, then let them cheer you on as your race like an Olympian. 

Please reserve August 1, 2009, on your race calendar for an exciting addition to the Northeast junior racing calendar.  We are in the final stages of securing approval for a draft-legal Youth Elite and Junior Elite event at Fort Taber in New Bedford, MA.  This will be the perfect tune-up for Nationals and a great way to test the waters of Olympic-style triathlon.  The program would also feature a Youth Triathlon.  Stay tuned for details.   

The Multisport World.com /USAT Northeast Region Triathlon Expo will take place on March 21-22 at MIT in Cambridge, MA.   Stop by the USAT booth and say hello.  www.multisportworld.com.