Best tri images of 2008 part 2

The second part of Timothy Carlson's favorite triathlon pictures of 2008 continues with the World Championships in Vancouver, Canada and touches a few races in Colorado.

Part 1 of "Best of 2008" is right here.

Part 3 of of "Best of 2008" is right here

All images are © Timothy Carlson 2008

Under23 Men storm Vancouver’s beach seeking World Championship glory. Alistair Brownlee, who would make his mark in Beijing, won gold.

Greg Bennett, not ready for the cold, made a bold bid to save his Olympic slot in the first lap of the run, but faded as Javier Gomez took gold.

With the third Olympic slot for the USA at stake, Matt Reed passes Russia’s Ivan Vasiliev in T2 and won the crucial duel on the run.

Six-foot 5-inch Matt Reed in a duel for 5th place with home country favorite Simon Whitfield.

At this angle, it looks like 2000 Olympic gold medalist Whitfield might have snaked Reed.

But one step later, it’s clear that Reed’s chest crossed the line first. In Beijing, Whitfield dueled for the gold, but Reed, worn out from his Olympic chase, faded.

Sarah Haskins outdueled Sarah Groff for the last US women’s Olympic slot at Hy-Vee.

After a change of venue to escape the Iowa floods, the Hy-Vee men’s field hits the water seeking a $200,000 payday – and the final US men’s Olympic slot.

In triathlon’s version of a Texas Death Cage Wrestling match, Hunter Kemper and Andy Potts hit T1 in a tie, clicking in helmet straps in high-tension unison.

Greg Bennett, fully recovered from Vancouver’s icy water, duels Bevan Docherty for second place behind two-time Hy-Vee big-check champ Rasmus Henning.

Hunter Kemper give thanks to the Big Guy in the Sky for his third Olympic slot after edging Andy Potts. Kemper recovered from career-threatening injuries just in time.

Andy Potts, consummate sportsman, offers congratulations to his conqueror.

Simon Lessing, five-time ITU world champion, shows that glorious stride in a second place finish at Boulder Peak before calling it a career at Austin 70.3.

Men’s pro swim start at Boulder 5430.

Hot air balloons festoon Boulder Reservoir 5430 swim.

Brian Fleischmann sparkles in early morning light emerging from Boulder 5430 swim.

Heather Gollnick’s husband pulls a thorn from her foot.

Bryan Rhodes powers in early morning light.

They call him the Flash. But Brian Fleischmann, his feet not touching the ground, floats like the Criss Angel Mindfreak of Triathlon.

The joys of riding into the night at the 24 Hours of Triathlon at Denver’s Cherry Creek Reservoir.