Gina Ferguson interview on Slowtwitch

ST: How did your Ironman Hawaii race go for you? What were your expectations?

Gina: It was my first time racing Hawaii so I didn’t know what to expect but I was really excited to be there and saw it as a great learning experience for the years to come. I knew the conditions would probably be the toughest I have ever faced in a race so far and in this it lived up to my expectations. I had a good swim coming out with the lead women. I wasn’t very happy with how I cycled. I felt very flat during the race and I struggled with the cross winds. The run was mixed. I felt very, very good for the first ¾ of the run and was able to run my way from about 15th off the bike to 7th. The last stage was agony for me however as I got very bad cramps in my stomach and lost one place and finished in 8th. I was a little bit disappointed as I have always been very strong in the last 10km and so I was saving myself for this part of the race. However my goal had been a top 10 finish and so 8th was great. The best part is I learned so much from the race and I am now very determined and motivated to improve upon those things.


For the complete interview go to slowtwitch

Sam Warriner featured on slowtwitch

A tough sprint at the World Championships in Vancouver gave Kiwi Sam Warriner the final podium spot, but she ended up as the overall champion of the ITU World Cup series this year. She talked to Slowtwitch.


ST: You've had a very solid season this year. Did it go as you expected?

Sam: I did a huge block of base training at the beginning of the year in New Zealand to set myself up for a good season. I worked for four months building up to around 150 km's of running per week, this combined with lots of cycling and swimming has enabled me to be consistent for a longer period this year. I also worked hard on the mental side of my training with my sport psychologist so I could be more consistent on race day. I always knew the Olympics would be a huge gamble that’s why I still raced World Cup’s, as my plan B. Getting 3rd in Vancouver really set me up for a good tilt at the World Cup.

For the complete interview go to slowtwitch.com

Normann Stadler featured on Slowtwitch.com

ST: Normann, we are getting very close to Ironman Hawaii 2008. Are you ready to go?

Normann: Yes, I am more than ready and am very much looking forward to the big race in Kona. The work is done and now I just have to make sure to stay healthy and give my body enough time to recover from the hard work of the last few weeks.


ST: Where are you going to spend the next couple of weeks and what are you doing?

Normann: I have been in San Diego since August 20 and this is now for the 9th time. I’ll stay here until September 30 and then it is time to get on my beloved island in Hawaii. As I already said, the tapering has started and the work is done. I’ll try though to get myself mentally fit for the race. On October 13 I’ll go back to Germany and on October 23 the Dresdner Kleinwort Marathon takes place in Frankfurt and our team will take part as a relay. Plus I am really looking forward to the German fall season.

For the complete interview click here

Janda Ricci-Munn featured on Slowtwitch

Janda Ricci-Munn is a new pro for 2008 and we are thrilled that he is a blueseventy athlete. He is certainly someone to watch and it seems that the guys on slowtwitch.com agree.

Congrats Janda