Haskins walks away with the women's crown
By Brad Culp
Oct. 14, 2007 -- Today, Aussie Greg Bennett was awarded the single biggest paycheck in the history of triathlon. After sweeping the four previous Lifetime Fitness Triathlon Series races (Minneapolis, Chicago, New York, L.A.), all Bennett needed was to win at the Dallas U.S. Open to earn the ridiculous series bonus – and he did just that.
Bennett was awarded a $300,000 bonus for sweeping the series, $60,000 for winning the event and $60,000 for taking the series points championship. All told, Bennett walked away from the awards ceremony with three checks totaling $420,000. When you factor in his awards from the previous four series events, he accumulated $508,000 in just five races. Not bad, considering his wife, Laura, earned herself $200,000 with her win at the Hy-Vee Des Moines World Cup earlier this year.
So, what will the world’s fastest couple do with their winnings? Build a home in Boulder, Colorado.
“We bought a piece of land in Boulder a while back and we’ve been wanting to build on it for months,” Laura said after the race (she didn’t compete). “Now, we have a chance to build on it.”
Greg echoed his wife’s excitement of finally building a home.
“I came into this sport wanting to do well enough to own a home for me and Laura,” a very relieved Greg said. “Now, I’ve reached that goal.”
That doesn’t mean either one of the short-course superstars will be walking away from the sport anytime soon.
“I’ve done well enough to walk away from competing in a couple of years,” Greg said. “In the meantime, I’d love to give back to the sport. This series has built a ton of excitement in the U.S. for triathlon and I’ll be back next year to keep it going.”
From the start of the race, it was clear that Bennett was a man on a mission. The Aussie usually waits until the run to move through the field, but today, there was no hesitation. Bennett stormed out of the water in second position, before devastating everyone but American Matty Reed on the bike. The run-specialist blitzed through the 40-km course in just under 54 minutes, with Reed only a few seconds ahead. A screaming tailwind on the point-to-point course helped Bennett rip through Dallas at over 27mph, as did the motivation of financial security.
The rest of the top contenders came into T2 about two minutes after the Aussie, but by then, Bennett had already settled into his rhythm and was flying through Downtown. Even with short-course studs like Paul Amey, Stephen Hackett, Craig Walton, Hunter Kemper and Bevan Docherty in the mix, no one was able to make up time on Bennett, as he cruised to the win with a 30:46 10k.
“I’m more relieved than excited,” Bennet said after the race. “I’m sure the excitement will set in later, probably when I buy all the boys drinks tonight.”
Laura was also relieved as she greeted him and the line and could finally take a deep breath.
“He’s been so nervous these past few weeks,” she said. “His training wasn’t going so well and he was starting to worry. It’s so good to have this one in the books.”
While there wasn’t nearly as much on the line for the women, a $60,000 check still awaited the winner of the event and the points title. All eyes were on another Aussie, Emma Snowsill, who had won three of the previous four Lifetime events (she was beaten by World Number One Vanessa Fernandes in Minneapolis).
Snowsill, who later admitted she hasn’t been feeling too well, wasn’t able to keep pace with American Sarah Haskins, who came up with a big win to finish up her season. The American swam and biked away from the field, which gave her just enough to hang on for the win on the run. A pair of Brits came in next, with Julie Dibens edging out countrywoman Mirinda Carfrae. Haskins walked away with $60,000 for taking the race, while Snowsill also came away with $60K for sealing up the points title.
“It’s been a long season,” Snowsill said afterward. “I’ve been feeling pretty beat up and I knew I’d be a little off coming into this race.”
The ITU’s World Number Two-ranked woman will now take some time off, before committing herself to the Beijing Olympic Games next August.
“I need a little break,” she said, “That way, I can get refocused and get to the start line in Beijing knowing that I’m 100 percent.”
Toyota U.S. Open ChampionshipDallas, TexasOct. 14, 20071.5-km swim, 40-km bike, 10-km runMen1. Greg Bennett (AUS) 1:44:41
2. Filip Ospaly (CZE) 1:45:02
3. Bevan Docherty (NZL) 1:45:13
4. Hunter Kemper (USA) 1:45:29
5. Matt Reed (USA) 1:46:49
Women1. Sarah Haskins (USA) 1:55:45
2. Julie Dibens (GBR) 1:57:57
3. Mirinda Carfrae (GBR) 1:59:11
4. Emma Snowsill (AUS) 1:59:41
5. Rebeccah Wassner (USA) 2:00:15