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USS Lake Erie Arrives in Kailua-Kona for Ironman Support

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081012-09
Release Date: 10/12/2008 7:52:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eric J. Cutright

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (NNS) -- The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) arrived in Kona Bay outside Kailua-Kona in support of the 30th Ironman World Championship triathlon Oct. 10.

Lake Erie is scheduled to serve as a backdrop for the swim portion of the triathlon and to provide support at transition stations during the race Oct. 11, in commemoration of 30 years of the Navy's participation in the Ironman event.

"The Ironman organization and all of its athletes hold dear core values that we really identify with in the Navy: striving for excellence, personal fitness, and commitment. Come [race day] you're going to look out at that horizon and just past the turn-around of the swim course, you'll see a very impressive sight: the pride of the Pacific Fleet, USS Lake Erie," said Capt. Duncan Smith, spokesperson for Navy Special Warfare Command.

Lt. Christa Almonte, the operations officer aboard Lake Erie, arrived in Kailua-Kona Oct. 10 to present a plaque to the Ironman organization on behalf of the officers and crew of the Lake Erie during a special dinner event held at King Kamehameha Hotel.

"It was a great honor for us to be chosen. We're basically here to represent the Navy's portion in this race and the Navy's history in the beginning and throughout the years of this race," said Almonte. "It's our appreciation to Ironman for what they do."

Crewmembers are scheduled to arrive via rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB) on race day to volunteer with assisting athletes during their first transition from the swim phase to the bicycling phase of the event.

"We have several people volunteering throughout the transition stages to assist the athletes as they come out of the water and start their ride," said Almonte. "We've come here basically to pay tribute to the start of this race and egg the athletes on as they swim past our ship."

On Oct. 11, 1,800 athletes, including six Sailors, will compete in the event which includes 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking and a 26.2-mile marathon run through tough ocean currents and challenging lava-covered terrain.

The Ironman World Championship was first held in Kailua-Kona on the "Big" Island of Hawaii in 1978.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.