Ben has been racing triathlons since 1989. Over the years he has competed in all distances, from sprint to ironman. A lover of the sport Ben has made triathlon his career and works fulltime as a Triathlon coach and consultant for TYR Sport where he looks after their interests at the North America Sport Ironman and 70.3 Events. A degree in Sport and Exercise Science and with nineteen years of racing and training under his belt, Ben is well qualified to co-ordinate all of the team workouts and help guide team members through their next event.
Cindy Bigglestone
Cindy has raced and trained at a competitive level for over 12 years in triathlons of all distances. Cindy is best suited to long course racing and discovered the Ironman to be her passion. Cindy is the team bike fitter with both F.I.S.T and Serotta certifications. She has logged 14 Ironman finishes including 2 Kona World Championships -Ironman PR of 11:00:31 (Canada, 2008), 1/2 Ironman PR 5:08 (Vineman 70.3, 2007) and 1/2 marathon PR 1:33 (Rock N' Roll Arizona, 2009). When Cindy isn't training she enjoys taking care of her dog Zoozoo, cat Syd and of course her husband Ben.
Laura Coombs
Heidi Lind
I have been involved in triathlon since 2003, focusing mostly on short distance races. I competed in my first Half Ironman in 2009 and plan to continue racing at that distance at least once a season. I am married and have 2 kids, Kyle (age 10) and Callie (age 8). My kids are quite into sports and I'm currently coaching my son's select soccer team and helping my daughter train for her first 5K race this Spring.
Ethan Lyons
Almost 2 Years in Triathlon. I have been swimming since I was 5.
Best race experience: There is something to be learnt from every race.
Worse race experience: I got a flat tire and crashed in a turn and was unable to finish…it was very disappointing.
My career goal: I am working towards my pro license and hope to race at this level for many years.
Who would play you in a movie? Ben Bigglestone
Weakness: Sleeping
Ray Makela
Ray returned to triathlon in 2008 after a 20 year break and a few years running marathons and road races.
He currently enjoys racing numerous Sprint and Olympic distance races during the year, and participates in adventure races and trails runs
when he can. He has competed in several HIM events, including the 70.3 Ironman World Championship in Clearwater, Florida. Ray balances his time between training and family, and is also an active soccer and track coach during the school year. His focus and passion in training and racing has been
on technique work and quality training over volume.
Erin Heard
Erin grew up in the Northern Territory of Australia and started swimming at a young age. She was a recipient of a Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS) Junior Elite Scholarship for 3 years and was a school and state representative at many national and international competitions. Erin made the transition to triathlon in 2007 and competed as both an age group and elite competitor in the state competition. Most recently, Erin qualified to represent the Australian team in her age group for the 2009 World Triathlon Championships (Olympic distance).
Erin is also an accredited Exercise Scientist and has a degree in Human Movement and Health Studies (Exercise Physiology) through the University of South Australia.
Laura found the sport of triathlon in college while looking for a way to stay in shape and meet new people. The local Wildflower race was her first true introduction to the sport. While it proved to be one of the most arduous, grueling, and humbling experiences for her, it was also exciting, new, and full of challenges. Since then, she's raced many distances, (ranging from sprint triathlons to the full Ironman distance), has qualified and raced in Hawaii three times, raced USAT Nationals and Worlds, enjoyed a handful of local races while living in California, and is not one to ever turn down an open water swim event. After moving back home the the pacific northwest this past August, (2011), she's excited to join VO2, train under Coach Ben, and partake in the numerous multisport events that the PNW has to offer!
Drew Graham
Drew has been involved and racing in the sport of triathlon for 4 years now. He grew up playing baseball, basketball and football. Once his time was up for playing competitive team sports he sought out a new endurance challenge and was inspired to dive into triathlon after watching a friend compete in the Grand Columbian Full Iron in 2005. Drew has raced Olympic distance, Half Ironman (70.3), and Ironman distance triathlon. Drew really enjoys learning about the sport and strategizing on how to improve his time for each upcoming race. Learning through his coach Ben, Drew is developing a good knowledge base for racing smarter, faster, happier and healthier each season and enjoys sharing what he has learned with others to help them succeed. For Drew, triathlon is a downright blast and way of life for a sound body and mind.
Kirsten Purdy
Kirsten discovered triathlon in 2002 when she found it easier to swim/bike/run, than keep up her passion of rock climbing with two little kids. After several years of Danskin races she gradually went longer, and in 2010 completed Ironman Coeur d’Alene. Besides triathlon she loves skate skiing, scuba diving and spending time out with her family.
