inside triathlon march 2008

gear
13) swim: Become a pool shark or openwater walleye with these wetsuits, speedsuits and training aids, courtesy of Adrianne Kroepsch: reporter by day, pool phenom by evening swim practice. By Adrianne Kroepsch

22) Mark Van Akkeren: Van Akkeren whipped everyone in the water by two minutes at last year’s Ironman Hawaii.
Check out the slippery speedsuit that gives Van Akkeren special fish-like fastness, plus the other gear this young pro uses to wield underwater wonders.

25) bike: Don’t be bedoozled by all the bling in the bike store this year. Tim Troha shows you the best of the just-born tri bikes, road bikes, wheels, pedals, saddles, shoes and helmets. By Tim Troha

38) David Thompson: The fastest triathlete on two wheels reveals what he uses to break the sound barrier on the bike. Thompson, swiftest overall rider at most 2007 triathlons he completed, also fesses up to the superhero inspiration behind his super-human speeds.

41) run: Running shoes change faster than Macca in transition, so don’t buy your old standby without first finding out how the model has been upgraded for ’08. Brian Metzler sweats the new stuff and shows you the accessories you need to make your bipedal pursuit a happier one. By Brian Metzler

50) Tim DeBoom: Why is Tim DeBoom a two-time Ironman world champion? The shoes, baby, the shoes. Here, the foam-and-fabric launch pads that float Air DeBoom and the secret sustenance that keeps this rocket running.

53) apparel: The best training and racing gear isn’t in stores—but it will be soon. Take a trip to Tucson, Arizona, to preview the best shirts, shorts, one-pieces, two-pieces and eyepieces. By Jason Sumner

64) Kristin Hilger: As the hot bod behind Scott’s sexy new campaign, Hilger’s got major model cred—and just-turned-protriathlete threads. See her favorite trikini, then drool some more over her sick Scott rig.

67) off-road: From world championship-caliber rigs to rough-and-tough footwear, off-road rock star Lennard Zinn shows you the hippest and hottest of the down and dirty. By Lennard Zinn

70) Brian Smith: This Coloradobased trail thrasher sealed his 2007 mopping of the North American off-road circuit
with a third at XTERRA Maui. We crack into the bronze-medal winner’s arsenal of wheels, wears and whatever else it takes to rock the podium.

73) train smarter: What do argyle socks and hot cocoa have to do with winning triathlon titles? Everything! Multisport eggheads Melaina Juntti and Sarah Toland introduce you to the latest gizmos, gadgetry, nutrition and novelties to help you tear up the tri course in ’08.

78) Simon Lessing: Multisport’s own British Invasion has ruled the shortcourse world for years with nothin’ but the
finest in frames, wheels and speedy shoes. See how a stockpile of gear and a spot of tea make this cat fly.

Subscribe Today!