American Andy Potts won the 24th annual St. Croix Ironman 70.3 triathlon Sunday, overcoming a late lead by seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, while Angela Naeth shattered the women’s course record despite a flat tire.

The men’s race was a three-person contest almost from its start. Potts, a former NCAA All-American swimmer, jumped out to an early lead during the 1.2-mile swim around Christiansted harbor, finishing the course in 24:29 with Stephane Poulat of France only two seconds behind him. The two enjoyed a one-minute lead over the rest of the pack at the end of the first phase.

Armstrong finished the swim in seventh position with a time of 25:51, but going into his strongest event spectators were certain he would make up time.

As the race leaders sped out of sight on their 50-mile bike loop of the island, fans in the crowd at the transition area in Christiansted began speculating on Armstrong’s progress. The star athlete was clearly the crowd favorite with a few fans ironically screaming “Go Lance!” at every racer who passed by.

Just over 2-1/2 hours into the race, the crowd erupted as Armstrong flew down Hospital Street toward the transition area with no one behind him. He quickly ditched his bike and was already back on the course for the final phase by the time Potts and Poulat finished their ride. Armstrong’s time at the transition was 2:42:00, good enough for a two-minute head start on his competitors.

The course for the foot race required the competitors to run from Christiansted to the Buccaneer Hotel and back twice. As Armstrong finished his first lap, he still held a one-minute lead, and some in the crowd began to speculate that the bicycling champion might just pull off his first professional Ironman victory that morning.

Potts and Poulat proved too quick down the stretch, however. In the last 6.5 miles, Potts pulled ahead of Armstrong and took a commanding lead. He was first to cross the finish line with a time of 4:03:31.

Potts’s first words to reporters after crossing the finish line were, “Have you seen my kids?” He then took the mic and wished his son, Boston, a happy birthday. He’ll be turning five in four days.

Potts is a veteran triathlete, having won the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in 2007, but this was his first time competing on St. Croix. He thanked the island for turning out and supporting the race.

“I’m thrilled to put my name on the list of champs,” he said.

Poulat finished second with a time of 4:05:25 with Armstrong taking third at 4:07:08.

A visibly disappointed Armstrong declined to speak with reporters after the race. He stopped briefly to congratulate Potts, but was then immediately ushered out of the transition area surrounded by his support staff and police officers.

Tour de France bicycling legend Lance Armstrong was again denied his first Ironman victory.

Weather conditions were not ideal for the race. It began raining almost immediately after the first racers hit the water, and an intermittent drizzle persisted throughout the day.

“Clouds are good; rain is not good, so we’re about 50/50 on the weather today,” said race organizer Tom Guthrie.

Guthrie said that the roads were slick for the bike portion, but that most racers managed to compensate and avoid crashing. However, he noted that despite recent paving efforts there were a rash of flat tires.

The most dramatic of those flats happened to American Angela Naeth on the 50th mile of the bike race.

“I knew if I stopped it would have ruined the race for me,” she said. “So I just said, ‘Alright. Let’s go.’”

Naeth got her damaged bike to the transition area at 3:02:55 and then ran away from the pack, posting the fastest women’s time in the foot race. She crossed the finish line first at 4:28:12.

And Naeth was shocked at the finish line when race organizers told her that despite the flat tire and the slick conditions, she had just broken the women’s course record by almost a minute.

“This is one of the toughest courses in the 70.3, so to get the course record is awesome,” she said.

Mary Beth Ellis finished second on the women’s side at 4:33:34, followed by Sara Gross at 4:46:43.

For a complete list of the standings, including winners of the age group divisions, visit www.stcroixtriathlon.com.

via Potts Beats Armstrong in St. Croix Ironman; Naeth Breaks Record | St. Croix Source.

St Croix Source By Justin Shatwell — May 6, 2012

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By 10 a.m., the parade route was lined with hundreds; by 4 p.m., thousands converged crowding King Street with folding chairs and Buddhoe Park with coolers full of beer and rum.

Around noon, the first princess troupes stepped off from the Claude O. Markoe Elementary School. Seven hours later, the final troupes neared the end of the parade route at Fort Frederik, putting on their best performance of the day for the judges.

Shirifa Browne danced and twirled for three hours, but it wasn’t until she hit the reviewing station, that she really got her groove on. Browne, a member of the Sparkle Lite Twilers, said she had a great time and felt like her troupe did amazing.

“My favorite part is always the end, when we get to the judges – then we really dance,” she said, smiling.

The sun remained shining throughout the day, much like the thick happy crowd, many of whom wore constant smiles as they watched shimmering dancers pulse their rhythmic bodies to the beat of music. Colors were radiant. Turquoises, orangey reds, and silvery purples flowed down the street, accompanying by steel bands playing calypso tunes.

Greg Nelson and his partner, Sue Winslade, said they’ve been coming for the last four years, and they both said the parade was great, but it gets better as the day moves on.

“The parade is so long and it just builds with strength,” Nelson said. “It gets crazier as time moves on.”

CHANT’s West End Masquerader’s bring some traditional Crucian culture.

Every troupe seemed to bring cheers, but the longest and loudest troupes were the crowd favorites.

The Simply Sophisticated Fun Troupe brought ringing applause as they twirled their flags, donning feathered hats, sequined tops, and elaborate tails.

The Rising Stars Steel Band generated massive movement. When they passed, the crowd bounced and jumped, sweating as they danced to the band’s sweet sounds.

One of the largest troupes, Lockhart & Associates “The Settlers,” were dressed as warriors, with brilliant pink, yellow, and turquoise feathers sprouting high above their heads in elaborate headdress-style.

Wanda Belardo has come every year, and sits in the same location near the reviewing station to get the best view. She said she was excited to see her 18-year-old daughter, Ashley J. Garcia, who was part of the Lockhart troupe.

Jacob Johnston, who was visiting from Kansas, said he had never seen so many costumed people in one location.

“This is one hell of a party, I’m having a blast, and the people are amazing – the costumes, just unbelievable,” Johnston said.

One St. Croix resident, Mr. Ferguson who declined to give his first name, said he had been coming to the parade for 38 years, and he was never disappointed. Although it was “a little slow,” Ferguson said it was still a great parade.

“I have a few favorites: the Mocko Jumbies, the Steel Band, and I love to see the ladies enjoy themselves,” Ferguson said.

The Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism West End Masqueraders brought traditional culture with a small five-member troupe. Heads tilted back as the Mocko Jumbie troupe danced sky-high in awkward unison.

The Gentlemen of Jones troupe brought old school style for a tribute to their 60th Anniversary. They were led by Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen, and wore fashionable white suits and blue shirts stamped with bowties.

Lockhard & Associates “The Settlers” Troupe.

Jaisa Christensen, who was visiting from Toronto, Canada, said she thought the parade was amazing. She started walking at noon, and was in Buddhoe Park by 3 p.m., not even a little tired. Her favorite part of the parade was the princesses and the Gentleman of Jones troupe.

“I think it’s pretty cool that a U.S. Congresswoman and I share the last name – maybe we’re related, who knows,” she said.

As always, the slow moving parade ended after the sun went down; the final troupes crossed by the reviewing station just after 6:30 p.m.

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“This is exciting new air service that comes at a time when we’re looking forward to welcoming a greater number of travelers from Puerto Rico and beyond,” Assistant Tourism Commissioner Monique Sibilly-Hodge said to Jet Blue representatives at Monday’s inaugural ceremonies.

“Our hospitality industry has been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Your passengers will find that our hotels, resorts, attractions, and stores are ready to welcome you, and we are committed to a continued partnership that will help boost our economic development here in the territory,” Sibilly-Hodge added.

Passengers aboard Jet Blue’s first flight paid only $10 for the trip to St. Thomas Monday, and officials said it was just the beginning of a variety of deals the airline will be offering to passengers. The announcement of Jet Blue’s service to Puerto Rico comes at a time when the fate of American Eagle, which runs daily between the two territories, is still uncertain.

According to Brandon Nelson, Jet Blue’s vice president and associate general counsel, the airline will be offering twice daily flights from St. Thomas to San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, and a once daily flight from St. Croix. Passengers will be able to book a round trip for $39 each way until Dec. 31, for travel between Jan. 5 and Feb. 15, 2012.

Seasonal service to Boston’s Logan International Airport will also be offered starting Dec. 15, with at least five weekly departures on the southbound flight, and through San Juan on the northbound flight, Nelson said.

Speaking about the features Jet Blue offers – including more leg room and comfortable seats – Nelson also said that Jet Blue’s 14,000 customer friendly employees will also have a hand in giving passengers a taste of the “best product in the industry.”

Jet Blue’s Embraer 190 aircraft (E190) will operate from San Juan, while flights to Boston will be made with the company’s Airbus A320 fleet.

With the addition of St. Thomas and St. Croix to the schedule, Jet Blue now has 70 destinations across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, Nelson said.

Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis also spoke about the importance of bringing Jet Blue to St. Croix, especially during the ongoing Festival season.

“The addition of these flights is tremendously important, as they represent the addition of more than 88,000 seats to the territory annually,” he said. “This new service will have a positive and wide spread benefit, first in terms of the impact on the tourism industry and the increased potential for visitors to the territory, and second because of the revenue that will be realized by our hotels, stores and businesses.”

Francis said Jet Blue also welcomed its first flight to St. Croix Monday. Passengers on the tarmac on both islands were given a warm Caribbean welcome, as dancing mocko jumbies and steel pan players greeted them right off the plane.

By James Gardner — December 12, 2011