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1997 |
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1996 |
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Six Weeks Until Patch Sprint 2006! |
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EXPECTED TO BE THE CLOSEST RACE IN HISTORY
Status of Women's Champions unknown |
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WILLSBORO, April 15-- "The field is wide open! This is anyone's race to win." So said Patch Sprint 2005 runner-up Mike Daley, who added: "From the reports I'm receiving, there are about eight guys training hard to win the 2006 overall title. |
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REGISTERED (as of 4/15 )
OPEN MALE - 10
OPEN FEMALE - 3
MEN'S MASTERS - 4
CLYDESDALE - 4
KINDER-SPRINT - 4
TREKKER - 17 |
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Joining Daley and other competitors at an event launch and press conference in Willsboro was USA Today oddsmaker Danny Sheridan. "While my predictions don't come out for several weeks," said Sheridan, "and understanding that many contenders have yet to register, here's how I view the competition." |
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JIM KOBAK (4-time champion)- PRO: Is back in shape, having competed at the U.S. National cross-country ski championships. CON: Running condition uncertain; prone to nagging injuries.... JAY FIEGL (3-time champion)- PRO: Training well; set a winter course record. CON: Has never been hungry to defend title.... BEN STANLEY (2-time runner-up)- PRO: Is in best training shape of his career. CON: Seems to feel race-day pressure more than others.... MIKE DALEY (2005 runner-up)- PRO: Has recently been obsessed with training and racing. CON: Tends to lack the killer instinct and strong climbing technique... JASON METAKIS (regular top-5 finisher)- PRO: Solid mental approach to racing. CON: Busy job interfering with training... QUENTIN CHU (Patch Sprint veteran)- PRO: In top racing/triathlon condition. CON: The course is still mysterious to Q.... MARC METAKIS (4th place in 2005)- PRO: Relaxed racing style the envy of many. CON: At times can be too relaxed. GREG HENDERSON (2-time champion)- PRO: In shape; knows course. CON: Baby on the way. |
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It may be a sprint to the finish in 2006. "I welcome a fight to the finish. Bring it on!" says Fiegl. |
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OTHER DIVISION AT A GLANCE
OPEN FEMALE: The Disney twins, two-time defending champions and owners of the course record, have yet to register. "Doesn't matter," boasted Abby Comeau. "I chave this race figured out, Disney or no Disney!"
MEN'S MASTERS: 2004-05 winner Tim Singer has been battling "an unspecified medical condition," opening the door for Tom Lynch and his brother-in-law George Disney, neither of whom have yet to enter.
CLYDESDALE: In 2005, Ken Ryba used a huge weight handicap to finish second. Coming off of an impressive 17-mile run, follwed by a 6000 calorie chinese dinner, Ken Herz could also be a contender.
KINDER-SPRINT: The Chad Canning-Joseph Zimmerman rivalry is one of the most storied in Patch Sprint history. Look for a revival in 2006, with racing prodigies Haley Strowger and Sean Tarala also expected to contend.
TREKKER: As everyone knows, this is not a race. Last year's fastest trekker was Matt Moscatto, who will be back, though newcomer Mimi Petrovich is ready to "fire through the course faster then the racers in the open division."
WOMEN'S MASTERS: Marianne talks a big game but, so far, no entry. Either way, she takes great photographs. |
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Disney Twins |
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Ryba |
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Comeau |
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REGISTER for the 2006 Patch Sprint
Go To Patch Sprint Home Page |
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