How To Win Kona Before The End Of The World

The Flying Dutchgirl…

I had the pleasure of riding and spending the morning with one of the greats in the world of womens’ racing, Yvonne Van Vlerken. She’s known around these parts as the Queen Of Cozumel for winning the first 2 editions of the full Ironman there, and also worldwide for the crazy video posted above on her win in Austria 70.3 back in 2010, where she also hails from. When I was walking my bike through the lobby, about to brave the mad streets in central downtown, she told me to come with her and another fine New Orleans gentleman named Patrick in a van so that we could ride on safer roads, register, and do a little course recon. She’s one of the favorites on Sunday, and to go through the paces with a champion of her caliber for a couple hours, to see and feel the way she prepares her body and mind was valuable to say the least. Also instantly one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. Austria 70.3 2013 is already penciled in.