Not a lot to say on this “race,” as it lasted only about 1 hour before I suffered a puncture around mile 14 of the bike and did not finish. I had a very strong swim and came out right where I needed to be, but after trying to make a move with super cyclist Starky around mile 10, I came out of a sharp right turn in Camp Pendleton and heard the dreaded hiss for the second race in a row. I felt good and was sitting around 9th/10th, but with a world class field like that one, it was essentially over when I flatted. To add insult to injury, I flatted again at mile 38 after continuing on with intent to finish.
Still a joy to return to the Southern California landscape, see good friends and connect with sponsors. I was able to salvage things a little by surfing with friends and having a great dinner with some of the Zoot crew. I will be back again to have a crack at the classic California race!