Christian Lewis Photography » Sports

Air Force Cycling Classic 2009 Clarendon Cup

Chris — Sun, 31 May 2009 22:18:25 +0000

Arlington County has a lot to offer residents, from plentiful housing options to numerous parks and convenient public transportation. But for those interested in professional sports, one must look to Washington D.C. and Maryland for baseball (Washington Nationals), football (Washington Redskins), hockey (Capitols) and soccer (DC United).

However, once a year, professional cycling comes to town and it is a showstopper. Organizers shut down the streets in Clarendon, turning the place into a technical 1 kilometer long race course. There are masters, women’s and kids’ races, but the highlight is the 100 lap men’s race (62.14 miles).

We took our son to ride in the 1 kilometer kid’s race, which he absolutely loved. Following that, the men began their race. This year, Alejando Borrajo, with Team Colavita Olive Oil / Sutter Home, won in a crazy time of 2:18:39. That’s an average speed of nearly 27 mph. Imagine riding at that pace for 2+ hours. These guys are machines.

VeloNews was on-site covering the action. For a detailed race report, see their article.

Here’s a collection of images I took from the men’s race:

Chuck Hutcheson (156), with Team Battley Harley Davidson, and Karl Menzies (22), with Team OUCH pb Maxxis, round the fast technical corner from Washington Boulevard to Highland Street.

The race is really accessible for spectators; this corner has racers coming within mere feet, although it felt more like inches.

On the same technical corner, Arran Brown (114, blue and white jersey), with Team Medscheme, slides out in the corner taking out Russ Langley (157), with Team Battley Harley Davidson. Eric Barlevav (165), with Team Mountain Khakis, manages to steer clear of the mess.

Chad Gerlach (123), with Team Amore & Vita, lead for much of the race. He almost lapped the field, coming within 8 seconds at one point.

Francois Parisine (31), with Team Planet Energy, navigates the high speed turn from Washington Boulevard on to Highland Street. The riders average a speed of nearly 27 mph.

Before the race started, my wife mentioned that an old high school friend, who she hadn’t seen in years, was a professional bike racer. By chance she ran into him before the race started and hung out with his wife, also a high school classmate. Here, my wife’s friend, Reid Mumford (13), with team Kelly Benefit Strategies, corners onto Highland Street.

Team Kelly Benefit Strategies lead the peloton in an effort to reel in race leader Chad Gerlach.

Chad Gerlach was heavily cheered on by the crowd as he effortlessly raced around the course. He lead for 60 laps and ended up finishing 6th.

Hanco Kachelhoffer (115), with Team Medscheme.

David Veilleux (16), with team Kelly Benefit Strategies.

Ice Hockey Gold Medal Game

Chris — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:23:30 +0000

The 2002 Winter Olympics were filled with close finishes and exciting conclusions, and the Men’s Gold Medal Ice Hockey game between Canada and USA was no exception, despite the USA’s 5-2 loss. The atmosphere in the E-Center was electric and everyone was super excited to be in attendance at the gold medal game.

I’ll start off with a personal photo that carries some deep significance to me, reminds me to not procrastinate, and then fills me with a little bit of regret and sadness. The main individuals starting from the left are Westin Leavitt, Governor Leavitt and David Bloom, an NBC reporter who died due to deep vein thrombosis and a pulmonary embolism while covering the Iraq invasion in 2003.

Earlier in the day, I had a chance to speak with Bloom and he complimented me on my photograph of disqualified Kim Dong-Sung and asked for a copy, which he planned to hang on his office wall. Of course I assured him I would, yet following the Olympics, life moved on and so did I to Arlington, Virginia, and eventually, it was too late.

Now on to the hockey game. I like the faces in this shot, particularly the ref and the USA player sitting on the bench enjoying this small altercation.

The US players celebrate after scoring.

Goaltender Mike Richter deflects the puck. I like how the Olympic rings are visible on the puck just above his left pad.

The puck sneaks past Canadian goaltender Martin Brodeur.

Mike Richter makes a couple of sweet saves.

Canadian fans celebrate after scoring. Check out the lady in the center getting into it!

Men’s 1500 Meter Short Track Speed Skating Gold Medal Race

Chris — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:39:47 +0000

One of the more exciting and controversial events of the 2002 Winter Olympics occurred during the Men’s 1500 meter short track speed skating gold medal race. As some may recall, South Korean Kim Dong-Sung was first to cross the finish line in the 13½-lap race, but was later disqualified due to a “cross-tracking” penalty when he apparently drifted in front of Apolo Anton Ohno, who crossed the finish line second. The following is a series of photos from the race and the conclusion.

In honor of Ohno’s soul patch, Governor Leavitt and his Chief of Staff Rich McKeown are sporting their own.

Following the race, Kim Dong-Sung, who thought he’d won gold, hears over the PA system that he’s been disqualified and in disappointment/disgust he throws his country’s flag to the ground and hangs his head low. This image will appear in another post about a Deseret News photo competition in which I submitted several photos.

At this point, Ohno learns he’s been awarded the gold medal and begins to celebrate, eventually making his way to center ice.