1999 Sportspectrum Triathlon Commentary
By: Jerry Richard
September 1, 1999

You couldn't ask for much better weather. On the way to the race site
in the morning, of course I was the third car at the gate, we had to roll
our windows almost all the way up because it was so cool. I imagine it was
in the upper 60's that morning and the temp remained relatively cool
thoughout the race.  If you haven't done Sportspectrum it is probably the largest race in
the state and the most competitive. It draws triathletes for Texas &
Arkansas to Tennessee & Mississippi. The race site is the usual north
Louisiana setting of nice trees and plenty shade. The transition area was
well spread out to eliminate crowding. There were actually some
port-o-lets this year too. Thanks guys that really helped out more than
you can imagine.  The swim was triangular this year and not too crowded. Some say it was
a bit short but I liked it. The course buoys were pretty easy to find and
the support on the water was more than adequate. Exiting from the water to
the transition area is a lenghtly run, but well lined with carpet and a
kiddy pool right at the end to clean your sandy feet. The transition area
is set up fairly requiring you to exit on one side for the bike and the
other side for the run. There was no riding in the transition area also.
The bike course was extremely fast this year. It is a bit hilly but
the climbs aren't steep and the downhills are quite fast. It is a more or
less square course with just a few turns and lots of hammer straight aways.
The beginning of the bike ride was goose pimply cool too. Everyone seemed
to have a fast ride this year. The traffic was light and friendly. The
only slow downs I saw were bikers riding two and three accross but that
didn't seem to bother the faster riders coming up from the later waves.
The run is a shady and even in hot weather a relatively cool run. It
was almost perfect this year and extremely better than the heated runs
during training lately. It is a semi out and back down tree lined roads
and with a little cross country section thrown in. It also seemed fast
this year mostly because it was cool.  John Deshotel was the first Louisiana male finisher. Patrick Marr,
John's main competition, flatted on the bike course and pulled out of the
race. That would have been an interesting finish because both are having
excellent years. John's time was actually about 20 seconds faster this
year. Karhleen Scully was the first Louisiana female finisher this year.
She pretty much smoked the field on the bike. Congratulations to both of
you for your effort and performance. Of course John couldn't have done it
without my Spinergy wheels with new bearings. Oh by the way Kenny Dunaway
actually did this race and was smoked by just about everyone he knows. It
was good to see you there Kenny. The food for the race was well varied
this year with watermelon and other fruits and pasta and read beans. It
seemed as though they may have run a little short. Probably didn't expect
as many people that attended. This race is a part of the Grand Prix Series this year but it leaves
some racers at a disadvantage. It fills up so quickly because it has one
of the nicest packets in the State and probably the Nation. The problems
is that some enter the race for the packet and not the race. I know of at
least three people that had theirs picked up and never intended to go. I
also know of people who have done all the Grand Prix races till this one
and couldn't get in because it was full. Something needs to be done to
eliminate this problem. Maybe allowing the Louisiana Triathletes an
earlier entry date and then taking entries from other states. Maybe
requiring the entrant to be there in person to recieve his packet or
require them to contact Sporspectrum a week before the race that they are
not going thus freeing up a spot for someone needing to do the race. If
the entrant calls and still wants the packet tack on an extra charge. Put
a cutoff time for recieving packets and require the person get in contact
before that time or forfeit his place in the race. I'm sure something
could be worked out to make it fair for the true competitor wanting to race.

Jerry

*The opinions expressed on this page are solely those of Jerry Richard.