Posted: May 24, 2005

Triathlon: Tri-Dubai All Over the Podium

Boulder, Colorado - With its most impressive overall weekend haul to date, Tri-Dubai Professional Triathlon Team saw four of its athletes podium at three different events around the U.S. Simon Lessing and Nicole DeBoom led the way for Tri-Dubai, winning the Florida Half-Ironman and Auburn International Triathlon, respectively. Kate Major finished third in the Florida event, while Tim DeBoom took second in the Olympic-distance Memphis in May race.

After a stellar swim, Lessing used a steady, powerful run to chase down Sweden's Bjorn Andersson, who led coming out of T2. It was the Brit's second half-ironman win in a month, adding to his impressive course-record victory at Wildflower. Kate Major ran into an on-form Natasha Badmann in Florida, but still pulled out a third place behind Badmann and Mirinda Carfrae. Lessing's win brought an added bonus: a $5,000 check presented to the Florida-based Give Kids The World organization. Tri-Dubai's partner charity for the event, Give Kids The World is a non-profit resort that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Nicole De Boom's win in Auburn, California drew on her supreme ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Race organizers of the Auburn International Triathlon dropped the swim leg of the event due to dangerous water conditions brought on by snow melt run-off, subbing in a 3k run in its place.

"That was by far the hardest half Ironman I've ever done. Even harder than the last time I raced here. My legs were like jelly by the end of the run and I am recovering as if I just finished an Ironman. It felt great to get the win for Tri-Dubai on a weekend when the team raced so well," said Nicole DeBoom.

Tim DeBoom, Nicole's husband, took a weekend off the long-distance race circuit to try his hand at the shorter distance Memphis in May event. While a non-drafting race, the relatively short Olympic distance event left DeBoom a couple minutes off US Olympian and ITU specialist Andy Potts. The Tri-Dubai athletes used their respective events this weekend as tune-ups for the major Ironman events, which kick-off in June.

Moments after crossing the line, Tim DeBoom commented on his race and inquired about his Tri-Dubai teammates.

"I got exactly what I needed this weekend - a hard race effort to prepare for Ironman France. The Memphis in May Triathlon has been a favorite of my family's for years and it always feels good to come back. By the way, how did Simon and Kate do at Florida?"

Tri-Dubai is a professional triathlon super-team made up of elite triathletes from all over the world. Sponsored by the city of Dubai, UAE, under the patronage of Dubai Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the team focuses on generating international attention for Dubai as a world-class tourist and business destination, and sharing success by partnering with local charities at designated competitions. Tri-Dubai is managed by The Human Interest Group, Inc.

Website: www.tridubai.com