Favorite Professional Triathlete (Woman) - 2008

Desiree, because she's been nice to my 11 year old daughter a couple of times and has become somewhat of a role model for her.  I think it's great that she tried to qualify for the Olympic marathon this year.  I hope she has a better triathlon season in 2009!

Brian

Hillary Biscay all the way.

Aside from being a good friend ... and by that I mean, she is good at being a friend, and what more important thing is there? Who else is busier than she, and yet takes time to keep up with my piddly tri endeavours and life difficulties and encourage me?

Even in top triathlete circles, she's deeply respected for her dogged persistence in training and racing. Very few triathletes work harder.

She's HARD CORE (raced IMNZ with a broken hip and was still fighting with officials while she was crawling and had to be removed from the course). No female pro triathlete races more Ironmans than she does, and she consistently podiums.

She did TWO sets of back-to-back iron races this year, winning IMWI one week after placing fourth at IMKY.

And she's effing brilliant. We met while she was in her Ph.D. program at USC. 

I have to go with Hillary as well. She's awesome!! Super nice to talk to and she even sent my son Matthew an autographed picture wishing him good luck in one of his triathlons! 

She was one of the highlights of my first Ironman, IMWI 2007.

Yanti would be a close second though!

Chrissy Wellington for me! Met her up at Timberman after I "stole" her bag. We shared a good laugh and had a nice conversation...

Eric J

 x3.

Weliington from everyone ... no shocker ...... it was Jones after she won as well .......

McGlone for me.  All class and crazy fast.

Heather Gollnick.  I met her a couple of years ago when she moved from Wisconsin down here to the Sarasota area.  Super nice, even to BOP slugs like me.  Does local races when it supports her training program, even though she is usually competing with the elite men for the overall win.

She is also the mother of three, including one daughter with Cerebral Palsy, something I can relate to since my 24 yo son has CP.

Mark

I voted for Chrissie because she comes-across as really humble and very honored to be in the position that she's in.

I am in a Tri Club in the Palm Beach area so I should've voted for my fellow RSR team-member Laura Bennett for the homer-vote.  But I figured this is more about the international/Ironman types.

Chrissie all the way. Very down to earth, and super friendly.

She always has that smile like a beginner just getting accross their first Ironman.

Awesome girl!

Chrissie Wellington accepted the handoff from me (I was volunteering in Kona at the Hilton bike aid station.) 

It was on her return to Kona.  I think we were around mile 80 or somewhere in there. 

CP2K