Through special sources I have learned there will be no marshes present in the Sprint race terrain. This could be an important advantage for Spike, even though he's not racing in the Sprint event, because there are also no marshes in Kansas City.

-- Swampfox (wmikell@earthlink.net), July 28, 2001

Answers

Looks like the USA is doing about normal after the 1st event, the sprint. Eric Bone is 40 out of 49 and Pavlina is 37th out of 45. I'm afraid all hope now rests on Spike.

-- Snorkel (danielmeenehan@aol.com), July 29, 2001.

Still no Americans in the top 1/2 of the field in the classic qualifier. Now more than ever we turn to Spike to salvage some hope for the team.

-- Snorkel (danielmeenehan@aol.com), July 30, 2001.

Looks like with no Americans qualifying to run the classic we have to wait until Thursday for the relay and Spike's debut followed by the short course qualifier on Friday and final on Saturday (all three of which I believe Spike will be running).

-- Snorkel (danielmeenehan@aol.com), July 30, 2001.

There will be marshes on those maps, so it will be tougher gonig for Lawrence's favorite son.

-- Swampfox (wmikell@earthlink.net), July 30, 2001.

Yes, look for Spike in the finals of the short course. I don't know about the win - guys like Rostrup are likely to be tough - but Spike has a legitimate chance at the podium. It will take a very special performance though and Spike will need to come into the event well rested and confident. From his years of experience Spike knows how to do this.

Expect Spike to "play Possum" at the relays. Like Lance, Spike will want to deaden the legs of his chief rivals, perhaps feigning weakness. With jumbotron screens at the finish area expect to see a few fake grimaces of pain. Everyone will write Spike off this year and will be watching one another. When the hammer goes down at the short course finals I believe it will be Spike who has the last laugh, marshes or not!

So far the US team looks to be doing similar results to 2 years ago and I think some previous WOCs. They still can beat the Canadians though. The Canadian men look a bit shaky this time 'round and are ripe to go down in a ball of flames! Expect a breakthrough performance at the relays with (hopefully) not only a trashing of the Canadians, but a little payback for Pearl Harbor to boot!

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), July 30, 2001.

I don't know what Mook has been smoking but to me a very good result would be top 1/2 of the field.

-- Snorkel (danielmeenehan@aol.com), July 30, 2001.