Avia Wildflower live!

Slowtwitch covered the 2009 Avia Wildflower Triathlon live. Text updates by Slowman and pics by Timothy Carlson

Wildflower odds: The late line

Although defending champs Chris McCormack and Samantha McGlone are out, they're calling this the deepest quality field in Wildflower history. That's saying a lot. Timothy Carlson sorts it out for all you tri-punters

Nick Sterghos – vegetarian champ

In just his fourth season of triathlon, this West Point senior won the USAT age group National Championship Duathlon. A Q&A with the outlier who eschews meat and dairy and who is impelled to train the extra mile.

Q&A with Rebeccah Wassner

Her St. Anthony’s victory was “the biggest of her career,” says the 34-year-old, recently married, part-time CPA. Wassner is a late blooming pro who gained confidence by beating a quality field on a tough day in St. Petersburg.

Potts, Wassner top St. Anthony’s

After Matt Reed flats, Andy Potts tops 2008 Ironman 70.3 World champ Terenzo Bozzone; Rebeccah Wassner passes Sara McLarty with half a mile to go to win 26th St. Anthony’s in windy conditions

Atkinson, Ide win Ishigaki WC

Courtney Atkinson rules Ishigaki for the 5th time, while Japan’s Juri Ide gets a home country win on a cold day in spring. Jarrod Shoemaker’s 8th place gives him the top American spot.

Q&A with David Thompson

One of triathlon’s great cyclists had crafted a first pack swim, a second-tier run and had designs on a podium at Clearwater when a hernia put his career on hold last July. A win last weekend put Thompson back on track for more Ironman 70.3 glory.

Thompson, Jacobs in Alabama

On rebound from a 2008 hernia, David Thompson captures his third straight Powerman Alabama while second year pro Jessica Jacobs bags a win in her very first duathlon

Ode to Joy

The thrill of victory comes in many flavors and goes not only to the triathlete who crosses the line first.