Former Planet writer turns into star triathlete

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

By Sam Petri

When Melissa Davidson worked as a reporter for Planet Jackson Hole she was a hard-nosed whiskey-drinking smoker like most of us. Now that she’s been living and working over in Victor, Idaho she has rehashed her passion for triathlon competition, something she first tried 10 years ago in college.

Now in her second season Davidson, 33, is seeing success having qualified for the National Age Group Championships in Portland, Ore. this Saturday, June 30.

For amateur racers to qualify for the National Age Group Championships, they must place in the top 33 percent, or top 5 racers, which ever is greater, in their age group at a USA-Triathlon event. Barring that, racers must place in the top 10 percent, or place first, in at a non-USAT sanctioned event.

Davidson has done both, having won her first USAT triathlon of the season in late May, and placing first in her age group (ninth overall) in the Janet Clarkson Memorial Triathlon in West Yellowstone on June 16.

Of course the National Championships will have a higher caliber of athlete competing.  Despite Davidson’s recent top finishes that make her high caliber; when we spoke she was exited to race in the event but wary that she may not place well. This will be her first time at the National Age Group Championships.

“I just really like to compete,” said Davidson, the modest champion. “It keeps me out of trouble and lets me burn off energy.”

The race will follow a familiar triathlon format with a 1.5k swim, 40k bike, and a 10k run and will take place around Henry Haag Lake. The swim and the run are both there-and-back format, while the bike race circumvents the lake. Davidson will be competing as an individual, not on a team. We’ll keep you posted on our old drinking, I mean, writing buddy’s results when she returns
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Former Planet writer turns into star triathlete | Planet JH News Article: Sports & Recreation

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