Potts, Cave lead Alcatraz prison break
By T.J Murphy
June 3, 2007 -- American Andy Potts, the 30-year-old former University of Michigan swimmer turned triathlete, continued his 2007 winning spree with his first Escape from Alcatraz victory. After collecting titles earlier this year at Ironman 70.3 California and the USAT National Triathlon Championships in Honolulu ITU World Cup, a fiery Potts exited the fabled Alctraz-to-San Francisco swim in 24:31 with only Jan Sibbersen at his side and never turned back, beating 2006 Alcatraz champion Matt Reed, USA, Olympic silver medalist Bevan Docherty and Australia great Greg Bennett.
The 47:20 effort on the 18-mile bike and 43:08 scramble on the tough 8-mile run earned Potts the title with the only sub-2 hour performane of the day, 1:59:34. Docherty finished second in 2:00:17 and Bennett was third in 2:00:21. Reed and Greg Remaly followed, lighting up the scoreboard with three Americans in the top five.
Like Reed, American Becky Lavelle, admitting she had "a tough day," failed to defend her title at what is inarguably one of the great races of the sport, opening the door to Great Britain's Leanda Cave.
Cave followed American Linda Gallow out of the frigid water on the cool, fog-drenched morning and then immediately took control of the race, lacing together a 26:45 swim, a 54:47 bike and 51:39 run to hold off two more Americans, Pip Taylor and Alexis Waddel with a 2:18:47 clocking. Taylor crossed the line in 2:19:35 and Waddel was third in 2:20:29.
Men's Results
1. Andy Potts (USA) 1:59:34
2. Bevan Docherty (NZL) 2:00:17
3. Greg Bennett (AUS) 2:00:21
4. Matt Reed (USA) 2:02:04
5. Greg Remaly (USA) 2:02:31
6. David Thompson (USA) 2:03:49
7. Matt Seymour (USA) 2:05:19
8. Brian Fleischmann (USA) 205:39
9. Matt Chrabot (USA) 2:05:41
10. Nicholas Becker (FRA) 2:07:12
Women's Results
1. Leanda Cave (GBR) 2:18:47
2. Pip Taylor (AUS) 2:19:35
3. Alexis Waddell (USA) 2:20:29
4. Joanna Lawn (NZL) 2:21:25
5. Becky Lavelle (USA) 2:22:11
6. Erin Ford (USA) 2:22:18
7. Kelly Couch (USA) 2:24:42
8. Linda Gallo (USA) 2:25:54
9. Gina Kehr (USA) 2:27:05
10. Lara Brown (USA) 2:27:38