(July 14, 2002)

Ratkovic Repeats at Duathlon Nationals
Dannon Duathlon Carlsbad/USAT National Championships

CARLSBAD, CA (July 14, 2002) Reigning US Duathlon Champion, Andrea Ratkovic, takes the US title again for the second straight year. Ratkovic took second place overall in the women's professional division to fleet footed Lucy Smith of Canada. Being the first US athlete to cross the line, gave Andrea the Title.

The duathlon format was 10K Run, 40K Bike and 5K Run. In the first hilly run, Andrea started out near the back of the group and slowly moved herself within the field into 3rd place behind leader Smith and Ironman Champion Heather Fuhr.

After a quick transition, Andrea was almost 1 minute back from Smith and 18 seconds behind Fuhr. Andrea caught Fuhr in the first 2 miles of the hilly Draft-Legal bike course, and bicycled together for the remaining 22 miles. Meanwhile Smith worked with two slower pro men (which was legal) for the majority of the bike portion, while Andrea basically time-trialed with Fuhr in tow, closed in on Smith's lead to 21 seconds. Andrea post the fast bike split of the day.

With all of Andrea's strength on the bike, it was no match for Smith's somewhat fresh legs in the second run of 5 kilometers. Smith was able to add on an additional lead of 1 minute to finish strongly. Andrea ran uncontested in second and into another US National Title.

It is an amazing feat for Andrea to even start the race, let alone gain the title again. A few short weeks ago, Andrea contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, with disastrous symptoms causing her not to train for a few weeks. "I had already purchased my plane ticket to go, so I thought I might as well start, and see how I feel", Andrea stated. Apparently, she felt great and had a fantastic race.

Andrea plans to continue racing more duathlons and longer distance triathlons including an Ironman this year.

Women's Results
1. Lucy Smith (CAN) 2:00:36
2. Andrea Ratkovic (USA) 2:02:42
3. Heather Fuhr (CAN) 2:03:59
4. Marjan Huizing (USA) 2:08:17
5. Desiree Ficker (USA) 2:08:18

Andrea Ratkovic's 2002 Results
1st Place McDowell Classic Duathlon in Phoenix
2nd Dannon Duathlon Florida
2nd Powerman Duathlon Alabama
6th St. Croix Triathlon (first major triathlon)
2nd Mizuru Duathlon, Japan
1st Dannon Duathlon, Alpharetta, GA
2nd Dannon Professional National Championships
2002 US Duathlon Champion (2 years consecutively)

[Source: Tony Kowalczyk, Mozaik Design and Marketing, tony@mozaikgroup.com, www.mozaikgroup.com, 760-729-1046]