Triathlon: O'grady Stunning In 'Prison' Escape

9th June 2008

O'grady Stunning In Prison Escape - More Great News For Triathlon

While most eyes were on the World Championships in Vancouver this morning, not far South on the East Coast of America Terenzo Bozzone and Shane Reed were expected to provide the strongest Kiwi challenge at the iconic 'Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon' in San Francisco but it was Graham O'Grady who upstaged them both with a stunning second place finish behind American Andy Potts.

Hamiltonian O'Grady finished with the quickest run split over the demanding 12.8km run leg but could not quite bridge the gap to Potts, eventually finishing 35 seconds back in second but comfortably ahead of Alexander.

It is a quite stunning performance from an athlete that endured more than his share of injury and illness woes last year and one that clearly announces him as a future contender on the world stage.

Beijing bound Reed finished inside the top ten as he continues his build up towards the Olympics while Ben Pattle was 13th and veteran multi sport competitor Brent Foster came home in 30th and Will Green 37th.

Bozzone appeared not to start the race but no further details are available at this point in time.

In the women's race it was an American benefit with Leanda Cave winning from countrywoman Becky Lavelle and Mirinda Carfrae. Cave defended her title from the 2006 winner Lavelle.

New Zealand's Gina Ferguson raced strongly to finish in the top ten while Jo Lawn appeared not to start; again further details are not available at this time.

The race has attracted some of the greatest in the sport throughout its 28 year history and is firmly established as one of the more lucrative events on the circuit outside the official ITU World Cup Series.

Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon, San Francisco USA

Elite Men

1

ANDY POTTS

USA

02:01:57

2

GRAHAM O'GRADY

NZL

02:02:32

3

CRAIG ALEXANDER

AUS

02:02:53

4

DAVID THOMPSON

M

02:03:04

5

MATT CHRABOT

M

02:03:25

6

PAUL MATTHEWS

M

02:04:40

7

MARK FRETTA

M

02:05:26

8

JOE UMPHENOUR

M

02:05:57

9

SHANE REED

NZL

02:07:05

10

KEVIN COLLINGTON

M

02:07:51

13

BEN PATTLE

NZL

02:08:30

30

BRENT FOSTER

NZL

02:19:52

37

WILL GREEN

NZL

02:50:40

Elite Women

1

LEANDA CAVE

USA

02:15:37

2

BECKY LAVELLE

USA

02:15:52

3

MIRINDA CARFRAE

USA

02:16:47

4

REBECCAH WASSNER

USA

02:20:17

5

SAMANTHA MCGLONE

USA

02:20:58

9

GINA FERGUSON

NZL

02:23:32

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