Brutal winter test

Mike Kloser, 48, of Vail, Colo., extends his lead on the final lap of the 8-kilometer cross-country leg on his way to winning the 2008 USA Triathlon Winter National Championships on Saturday.

Michael Kloser of Vail, Colo., repeated as champion Saturday in the 2008 USA Triathlon Winter National Championship. But the race was close. Runner-up Brian Smith of Gunnison, Colo., was behind Kloser after the 4-kilometer downhill-uphill run, but he snuck ahead of Kloser on the third and final lap of the grueling 10.4K mountain-bike course.

Riding in thick, grooved snow on and near the nordic trails at Mt. Bachelor ski area, the two elite racers expertly push-pedaled their way through the three bike laps.

– Excerpt from The Bend Bulletin, February 10, 2008