Best of the Best Military Triathletes Compete in 2012 Armed Forces Triathlon

NAVAL BASE VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (NNS) -- Service members from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy competed in the Armed Forces Triathlon Championships June 23 at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), Point Mugu, Calif. for a spot in the World Military Triathlon Championships in Switzerland in August.

U.S. competitors were joined by the Canadian military's team and several open competitors, swelling the field to more than 90 triathletes.

"Racing against military on a military base is really great," said Navy Lt. Nicholas Brown of Navy Facilities Engineering Command Headquarters in Washington, D.C., one of 64 U.S. service members who competed. "This is my third time running this race, and it's always challenging."

The Armed Forces Triathlon kicked off with a 1,500-meter swim in the 57-degree water of the Pacific Ocean off Point Mugu followed by a 40-kilometer, draft-legal bike race and a 10-kilometer run.

The Canadian team, already selected for the World Military Triathlon, used the event to practice drafting as a team - and to measure the competition, said Leading Seaman Ellen Klein.

"If we win today, we don't knock any of the U.S. military out of the running," Klein said. "Our team is already set."

Although highly competitive, the various military teams worked together, helping one another through rough spots and cheering teams across the finish line.

"It's a very strong field," said Army Lt. Col. Mark Orwat of the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Va. "We're all in the same boat, in and out of theater, trying to stay in top form. You see the athlete that really has the commitment and drive to overcome the challenges of being military."

Crowds of spectators filled the beach at Point Mugu to cheer their teams, including Capt. Larry Vasquez, NBVC's commanding officer. Vasquez said he believes it is important for the Navy to host these sorts of events, both to spotlight facilities like Point Mugu, but to show the Navy's commitment to physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.

"The Navy is really beginning to understand a culture of fitness," Vasquez said. "Seeing active duty Navy folks who have a day job and the dedication it takes to make this team, it's important that we recognize not only their service but the hard work it takes to participate on this triathlon team."

For most competitors, this year's Armed Forces Triathlon was a repeat performance and their goal was simple: finish stronger than last year.

"I'm recovering from a broken wrist," said Marine Capt. Leonie Campbell of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., "but I'm going to finish." Campbell did finish, in eighth place for the women, just missing the world team cut-off.

In the end, the first man out of the water, Army 1st Lt. Nicholas Vandam of the 43rd Sustainment Brigade at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo., was the first to cross the finish line as well with a time of 1 hour, 45 minutes and 31 seconds.

"I came in third last year," he said. Vandam has been running in triathlons for 10 years, and began competing for the Army since he was in West Point in 2006.
The next competitor was a full minute and 41 seconds behind Vandam.

"I had a good swim, but really got ahead on the bike," Vandam said. "The wind was rough out there, but I did pretty well."

The first place women's competitor was Air Force Capt. Kathy Rakel of Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., who finished in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 54 seconds. This is Rakel's third back-to-back win at the Armed Forces Triathlon. Quite a feat considering less than a month ago she passed out 150 meters shy of the finish is another triathlon.

"It feels great," Rakel said. "Now I've got to let my body rest and recover a bit."

Rakel pulled out of the water in second place, just behind a Marine competitor, but managed to get on her bike first thanks to a quick change in the first transition.

"I just got on the bike and rode," Rakel said. The Air Force dominated the women's rankings this year, taking the top three slots - half of the available positions for the women's world championship team.

Although the Army took the top two slots for the men, it was the Navy team that snagged an equal three slots on the men's team.

For a complete list of winners and times, visit www.eternaltiming.com and click on "event results."

The U.S. military team will travel to Lausanne, Switzerland to compete August 26 in the World 17th CISM Military Triathlon Championship where they will compete with military teams from around the globe.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Base Ventura County, visit www.navy.mil/local/nbvc/.