Hy-Vee Triathlon

The ITU Hy-Vee World Cup Triathlon is an Olympic-distance triathlon race held in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, USA. It is a part of the ITU World Cup Triathlon, the only United States race on the schedule. With a total purse of $700,000, it features the largest payday on the triathlon tour. [http://www.insidetri.com/article/71544/the-hy-vee-triathlon-is-the-triathlon-s-sport-s-biggest]

The first edition of the event, held June 17, 2007, featured the largest prize in triathlon history, at $200,000 each for the men's and women's elite winners. [http://hy-veetriathlon.com/index.php] 10,000 spectators came downtown to the event, which was held in downtown Des Moines, swimming at Grey's Lake and finishing at the Iowa State Capitol.

The 2008 edition, held June 22, served as the final United States qualifier for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. [http://hy-veetriathlon.com/article.php?story=raceinfo] Due to flooding, it was moved to West Des Moines. Initially, there was uncertainty about its Olympic-qualifying status, as bacteria levels in nearby Blue Heron Lake left the swimming option in questionable status. [http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080613/SPORTS14/806130381/-1/HyVee_triathlon] However, just days before the event, officials confirmed that there would be swimming. [http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/SPORTS13/80618024/-1/HyVee_triathlon]

Hunter Kemper and Sarah Haksins claimed the final United States Olympic spots as Rasmus Henning and three-time World Champion Emma Snowsill won. [http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080622/SPORTS14/80622024/-1/HyVee_triathlon] [http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080622/SPORTS/80622020/-1/HyVee_triathlon]

"'Men's Winners

"'Women's Winners

External links

* [http://www.hy-veetriathlon.com/ Hy-Vee Triathlon]
* [http://www.pem-usa.com/racedata/hyvee07/results/HV07elite.html 2007 Men's and Women's Professional Results]
* [http://www.hy-veetriathlon.com/filemgmt_data/files/USATOlympicCourse.pdf World Cup Race Course]