Lake Placid (TSR) - A strong women’s field will compete at the 2004 Ironman USA triathlon, here in upstate New York this Sunday, home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games.

Past multiple Ironman winners, here and elsewhere, will be competing for $100,000 in prize money, headed by Heather Fuhr and Melissa Spooner, both of Canada.

Thirty-one year-old, Andrea Fisher of Texas, who’s been flirting with greatness the last several years, will challenge along with Joanna Lawn from New Zealand. Lawn has won two Ironman’s, both New Zealand triumphs (2003, 2004). On the men’s side, only one previous Ironman winner will be in the field.

Bryan Rhodes, a very strong 31 year-old swimmer from New Zealand, won Ironman Malaysia twice (2001, 2002) while finishing in the top five at three others.

Other top challengers will be Peter Kotland of South Carolina who has six top ten finishes under his belt. Luke Bell, 24, of Australia is another one who could surprise as he impressed with a third place finish at the 2003, Ironman Australia.

An interesting fellow from Great Britain, is 31 year-old Simon Lessing, who is making his initial transition from short triathlons to the big one, the Ironman.

”For me,” said Lessing, “it’s all a natural progression. I had been deciding between Olympic aspirations or try something completely different and to be honest, I got sick and tired of the style of short distant races, and the consistency of it.”

Lessing felt that the transition to Ironmans was an easy decision and appreciated the uniqueness of sport while focusing on new and challenging events. “I’m looking forward to it.”

IRON DEPENDABLE

In Fuhr, you get a four-time Ironman Lake Placid champion and former world champion from 1997. Fuhr has won an overall second-best, 13 Ironman titles. Paula Newby-Fraser is first with an astounding 23 titles.

Goals and priorities are what keep Fuhr focused on the Ironman World Championships, held in Kona, Hawaii as the main key for her.

What keeps bringing her back to the Adirondacks?

”It’s one of the most beautiful places to come back to and one of the toughest race courses around,” Fuhr said. Also, the timing of the race allows her to train for and compete in New York and still have plenty of time for Kona in November.

Fuhr also is quite aware of her limitations as she gets older. At 36, she realizes the speed of the other women.

”I think that the days of making up 15 to 20 minutes on the run are gone,” Fuhr said. “Realistically for me, to get all that much faster on the run just isn’t possible. So I need to look at other areas.”

Fuhr knows her body well and uses it to her advantage better than most athletes competing in triathlons who may have a bigger, or stronger build for more of an advantage on the flatter courses.

”I can climb hills but I’m generally am a little smaller and can’t do the flats and push a big gear,” she said. ”You get a little smarter as you get older and need to know the training to get faster and don’t do the excess, the junk miles you used to do when you’re younger.”

Fuhr feels confident, and has built that confidence over the years since her very first Ironman. ”I think you can improve as you get older. I’m 36 and I feel I’m as strong as I’ve ever been.”

PIECES OF MELISSA

Unfinished business would be Spooner’s mantra. Because of back problems and a family illness, the 2000 Lake Placid winner hasn’t been back since, nor has she won anything since then. She’s feeling healthy, though, admittedly not at the level when she last won here.

”When I was younger I could train a lot longer and I just can’t do that now,” Spooner said. “I’m rehabbing and feeling good right now.”

Spooner touched upon the fact that she’s learned to deal with someone being faster than herself, “I expected myself to win every race and that’s just not realistic. I think I needed to learn respect for the other women in the race.”

Underneath that petite look and million dollar smile, lies the competitor of a tiger. Other top finishes for Spooner were third in Ironman Germany (1998), second in Canada (1997) and a fourth place finish at the World Championships in Hawaii (1998).

”This was my last good race (Lake Placid, 2000) and there’s a part of me that feels there’s a piece of me still out there on this course.”

She looks away, thinking of that race, the memories and the demands she puts on herself.

”When I won here, I really felt I was on my game. Then I had a very, very frustrating two years. I decided it wasn’t worth it anymore; it wasn’t fun anymore. I was constantly in pain and my husband was very sick so I had to be realistic and realize that sometimes there’s more important things,” Spooner said.

Holding the same torch that Fuhr carries, Spooner feels there’s room to grow and she still feels hungry.

”I still feel I’m growing, physically and mentally as a person and as an athlete. I really respect the women that are out there and I won’t be disappointed if someone has a better day. I’ll be disappointed if I don’t give my best.”

Filed by J.D. Long