BECHTEL WINS IN MUSKOKA 

C3's Sean Bechtel has three major goals for 2009. The first was to win Muskoka Triathlon. The second was to win the Canadian Long Course Championship in BC in July. The third was to finish top 8, at the 2009 World Championships in Australia in October. After an early season win in Florida in April, today Bechtel smashed the competition this past Sunday with a easy win at the Muskoka Triathlon, setting a course record in the process (since it's a brand-new course, it's a NEW COURSE RECORD)!

"Coach Barrie and I had a plan to hammer the swim and bike," said Bechtel. Bechtel had the day's fastest swim and came off the bike with a narrow 30 second lead heading out onto the 10 mile run. Bechtel pushed the pace the first 10km and was able to easily cruise the final 5km to win in front of his family, sponsors and girlfriend. "I felt great all day and it was great to finally get the monkey off my back and win the overall race," said Bechtel. Caledon's Lisa Bentley won the women's race once again proving that the 41 year old 11x Ironman Champion can still beat women nearly half her age on the tough hilly course. "Lisa is so amazing and watching her continue to stand on the podium is truly inspiring," said Sean Bechtel. What makes Bechtel's victory even more impressive is the fact that the 25 year old has asthma and is a spokesperson for Astra Zeneca and the Ontario Lung Association. "Sean and I have to modify his program around his asthma but he always shows up at workouts in great spirits and prepared to find a way to maximize the session," said his coach, Barrie Shepley. Bechtel now adds his name to the top of the trophy which includes the names of Hawaii Ironman Champion Craig Alexander, Olympic Gold Medalist Simon Whitfield and Australia World Champion Miles Stewart. Pretty lofty territory.

Muskoka was good to many C3 athletes, with Jennifer Hall winning the women's sprint triathlon, Karsten Madsen winning the junior men's sprint, Jean Compton winning the women's 50-54 sprint, Mark Herbst winning the men's 50-54 sprint, Dave Hewson winning the 30-34 sprint, Hans Porten taking silver in the long course men's 50-54 and Gary Hutchinson taking bronze in the men's 35-39 category. Other C3 athletes who fared well over the weekend included Jonathan McMillan (9th in the pro field), Rhys Spencer (6th in the men's 35-39), Larry O'Connell (34th men's35-39), Steve Harrigan (14th in the men's 50), Kim Nelson (7th in the women's 35-39), Ann Lyddon (6th in the women's 40-44) John Elvidge (46th in the men's 45-49), Geoff Sullivan (67th in men's 45-49 after a big Saturday training day). C3 Alumni Blaire and Richard Kniaziew, Jenn Coombs, Tyler Lord, Linnea Humphrey, James Loaring and Paul Bregin all had solid weekend results as well.

C3 athletes are headed for Quebec and the ITU Jr and Elite Race Saturday June 20th where top performances by team-members could gain them team-selection for the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in AUSTRALIA. Congratulations to all those who raced over the weekend and best of luck to those racing in Quebec on the 20th. You can see more stories and pictures of the C3 High Performance Team at http://www.c3online.ca/team/highperf.html