Elite Racing Team members Lauren Capone, Jason Smith and Zack Paris went 1-2-3 at the Dina LaVigna Breath of Life Ventura Triathlon on Sunday.
Capone took first place in the women’s division of the Olympic distance race (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run) with a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, 45 seconds. Smith placed second (1:55.27) and Paris (1:57:25) third in the men’s competition, which was won by Jason Pederson of Simi Valley in 1:54:47.
“The team raced very well today,” said Mateo Mercur, head coach of the Santa Barbara-based team. “Today’s performances put us right where we need to be at this point in the season. In all, I’m very pleased with the way the team raced today.”
Smith said the race offered good competition.
“All of the best athletes around were out there today. I knew we’d be fighting for it. A race like this makes everyone better,” he said.
Paris led the swim and most of the 40 kilometer bike. Smith put in the fastest bike of the day to lead the race into the run. Pedersen, a runner at Northern Arizona University, ran 32:22 for the 10 kilometers and claimed the lead with just over a mile remaining in the race and finished with the overall win.
Jon Waltman, finished 11th in the men’s field, and incoming first-year Savannah Dearden finished third in the women’s competition.
The Elite Racing Team competes again on July 17 at the Strawberry Fields Triathlon in Oxnard.
