Oceanside Horny Toad Triterium : Molina Adapts--Winningly--to Multi-Loop Format
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OCEANSIDE — While the format of Sunday’s 32.2-mile Nike Horny Toad Triterium was a change for the sport of triathlon, one constant remained: The best are still the best.
Scott Molina, the 1985 Ultrasport Athlete of the Year, and four-time world champion Mark Allen, both from Del Mar, finished one-two in the first triathlon to feature multiple-lap segments as opposed to the traditional out-and-back format. But not without the help of an unexpected twist.
The unexpected twist--or, rather, turn--was provided by Del Mar’s George Hoover, who was a surprising leader after the 1.2-mile swim and 25-mile bike ride. Hoover held a 35-second lead over Molina going into the first lap of the six-lap 10K. But Hoover missed the turn from Pacific Street onto First Avenue, and by the time he recovered he trailed Molina by 35 seconds.
“There were people with cups of water at the turnaround, but also some people with water farther down (the road),” said Hoover, 23. “No one said to turn around. That was the problem.”
Molina had a rough start. He was nearly late for the race because he was at home “trying to get pumped” by watching the Tour de France on television. And when the race began, Molina, who is weakest in the swim, faced six-foot swells and a swift current.
“Usually, I come out (of the swim) with Hoover, but he killed us,” Molina said. “I thought I could probably catch George and Rich, but if Mark is in front of me I’m in trouble.”
Molina finished first in 2 hours, 1 minute and 36 seconds to win $2,800, and Allen (2:02.24) won $1,400 for second. Richard Wells of New Zealand, who was second coming out of the swim, won $900 for his third-place finish (2:04.39). Hoover finished fourth in 2:04.50.
Linda Buchanon of Leucadia easily won the women’s race after passing former Olympic swimmer Cynthia Woodhead on the bike leg. Buchanon (2:17.06) won $2,800, and Colleen Cannon of Del Mar (2:20.56) won $1,400 for second. Karen Smyers of Boston won $900 for her third-place finish (2:21.43). Woodhead (2:29.54) finished third in the amateur division.
