1996 IRONMAN

1996 IRONMAN Waterski/bike Competition Sunday July 7, 1996

....Many waterskiers use road or mountain bikes as part of their training routines. There are several excellent and challenging mountain bike trails immediately accessible from Twin Lakes, and it is not uncommon for skiers to "cool off" after a few slalom sets by jumping on their mountain bikes for a "ride" through the nearby hills or along the roads through the rural countryside.

In an effort to put some fun back into the training routines, and with the co-operation of the High Point Skiers (another avid slalom skiing and road biking group), the IRON MAN Competition was conceived.
THE PLAN Skiers would meet at John's Lake, ski one round of slalom there, bike race to Twin Lakes, then run a final round of slalom at Twin Lakes. Only a boat judge would be used, otherwise Class C rules would apply. Buoy count for best single round of slalom would be subtracted from the EP score for skier's division, and the result added to his race placement. The competitor with the lowest score would be the IRON MAN. (for all you politically correct persons out there - women do compete and if they win an IRON WOMAN will be crowned instead).

THE SLALOM EVENT
When the competitors arrived at John's the conditions were perfect (as they usually are). The pre event strategy was to ski a top performance in the first round, because many had never road raced before and they were uncertain how they would ski after the bike race ........ It didn't work out that way. In the first round, everyone skied several passes below their potential. It seemed that they were already focused on the coming bike race and were unable to concentrate on the slalom course at all.

THE BIKE RACE
The bike race began with a charge down John's lane. 30+ miles and about 2 hours later the competitors began to arrive at Twin Lakes. They all had stories to tell, but the winner was John Autore who completed the course in just under two hours.
After a cool down period the second round of slalom was scheduled to begin - but Dennis Johnson (M4 from Long Island) had not yet arrived. The vehicles following the riders had not seen him. No-one knew where he was.
About two hours later Dennis finally arrived. He had made several wrong turns and had taken the long way around - traveling about 60 miles instead of the required 30.

THE FINAL SLALOM ROUND
In spite of the grueling bike race, everyone skiied very well in the second round. John Autore (M4) skied 3 at -35 and Peter Bell (M3) skied 2 at -38 both 2 buoys better than EP for their respective divisions. But Dennis Johnson would not give up. When his turn came to slalom he skied a personal best of 1.5 at -32. They say it takes a little longer to warm up once you get past M2 age division. I guess Dennis will be riding his bike to tournaments from now on.

THE CHAMPION! In case you haven't figured it out -- John Autore with 51 buoys and first place in the bike race IS the IRON MAN. But the comraderie and good time had by all the competitiors in this Fun Tournament made them all winners.

	THE PLAN Skiers would meet at John's Lake, ski one round of slalom there, bike race to Twin Lakes, then run a final round of slalom at Twin Lakes. Only a boat judge would be used, otherwise Class C rules would apply. Buoy count for best single round of slalom would be subtracted from the EP score for skier's division, and the result added to his race placement. The competitor with the lowest score would be the IRON MAN. (for all you politically correct persons out there - women do compete and if they win an IRON WOMAN will be crowned instead).
THE SLALOM EVENT When the competitors arrived at John's the conditions were perfect (as they usually are). The pre event strategy was to ski a top performance in the first round, because many had never road raced before and they were uncertain how they would ski after the bike race ........ It didn't work out that way. In the first round, everyone skied several passes below their potential. It seemed that they were already focused on the coming bike race and were unable to concentrate on the slalom course at all.
THE BIKE RACE The bike race began with a charge down John's lane. 30+ miles and about 2 hours later the competitors began to arrive at Twin Lakes. They all had stories to tell, but the winner was John Autore who completed the course in just under two hours. After a cool down period the second round of slalom was scheduled to begin - but Dennis Johnson (M4 from Long Island) had not yet arrived. The vehicles following the riders had not seen him. No-one knew where he was. About two hours later Dennis finally arrived. He had made several wrong turns and had taken the long way around - traveling about 60 miles instead of the required 30.
THE FINAL SLALOM ROUND In spite of the grueling bike race, everyone skiied very well in the second round. John Autore (M4) skied 3 at -35 and Peter Bell (M3) skied 2 at -38 both 2 buoys better than EP for their respective divisions. But Dennis Johnson would not give up. When his turn came to slalom he skied a personal best of 1.5 at -32. They say it takes a little longer to warm up once you get past M2 age division. I guess Dennis will be riding his bike to tournaments from now on. THE CHAMPION! In case you haven't figured it out -- John Autore with 51 buoys and first place in the bike race IS the IRON MAN. But the comraderie and good time had by all the competitiors in this Fun Tournament made them all winners.