Pre Hy-Vee 2010

Could the Hy-Vee World Cup provide anything more dramatic than last year's
finish line chess match clash between Simon Whitfield, Brad Kahlefeldt, Jan
Frodeno, Kris Gemmell and Jarrod Shoemaker for the $200,000 top prize? Anything as stirring as Laura Bennett's last lap heroics to win the inaugural event here in 2007? Or Hunter Kemper's tearful gratefulness after
securing his third Olympic slot in 2008?

Once again the best short course field outside the Olympics and just maybe
the World Championship gathers in Des Moines, Iowa for a non-drafting,
ITU-style shootout for the biggest single day short course purse in the
world of triathlon. In the days before the chase for the $1 million purse, early morning rain- and lightning storms lent an edge of anxiety to the quest – and canceled a Saturday race highly anticipated by 900
children.

All photos © Timothy Carlson

All quiet on the Hy-Vee battle field a day before thousands will roar the competitors to the finish line.

Can the 2000 Olympic gold medalist and 2008 Olympic silver medalist repeat
his 2009 win? Simon Whitfield believes he can.

Can 2009 Dextro Energy World Championship Series champion repeat her 2009
Hy-Vee win?

Whitfield elucidates a point of strategy.

Sarah Haskins is the USA's top woman.

Three-time ITU World Champion and 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Emma Snowsill
is happy to be back after 8 months of injury and illness. Can she regain her 2008 winning form and top 2009 champ and fellow Emma Moffat?

Barbara Riveros-Diaz, Chile's sensational new talent who leads the 2010 Dextro Energy World Championship Series point standings, takes in the elite athletes briefing.

The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!

Greg (5th in 2007 and 3rd in 2008 at Hy-Vee) and Laura Bennett (1st in 2007) will both be competing for the USA in 2010.

Tell us how you really feel about drugs in sport.

Elite athletes chat after the briefing.

Coach Siri Lindley is here for her athlete Hayley Peirsol.

L to R — Agent Michael O'Neill, American Sarah Groff, and the father of
Groff's fellow Darren Smith squad member Barbara Riveros-Diaz.

Ominous clouds the night before Saturday's early morning 4-inch torrent.

Scrubbing down the soaked carpet.

Rainy skies over Des Moines.

Two disappointed kids walk their bikes towards the cars after children's race
was canceled.

Hunter Kemper and his son the day after his announcement that his SI joint injury had recurred and he would not be able to contend.

Jan Frodeno stretches before a late Saturday warm-up run on the course.

Everyone wants to see this unobstructed view of the Hy-Vee finish.