Photos: Hy-Vee Triathlon 5150 U.S. Championship

Some of the men took advice about the current of the Des Moines River from the women and chose to shift position before diving in. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

A pair of Mini Coopers awaited the top amateurs at the Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

A smile and a medal for every finisher at Hy-Vee. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Age-group athletes give the thumbs up both for a great day of racing and the ice bath waiting for their sore legs after the finish line. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Aussie Nikki Butterfield wearing number one had no illusions about her points ranking and her ultimate finish. "I'm just hoping to be in the top 10," she commented at the pre-race press conference. Nikki put in the ride of the day to lead into T2 and take the final bike prime. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

The women’s swim was dominated by the Sarahs. Sara McLarty lead from start to finish, Sarah Haskins, here exiting on her second of three laps, followed shortly by Sarah Groff. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Sara McLarty with a powerful re-entry dive with a huge crowd looking on from the bridge above. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

In view of the Iowa State Capital, Sarah Haskins leaves T1 followed closely by Sarah Groff. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Lisa Norden ready to get on and begin her day on her bike. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Lisa Norden moving up through the bike on her way to an eventual victory in front of the 9,000 seat Hy-Vee Stadium. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Reigning Ironman world champ Mirinda Carfrae passes Nikki Butterfield. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Angela Axmann returns to the stadium area past the Capitol on the technical bike course. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Nikki Butterfield pounds through the field in a course that suits her great cycling skills. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Laura Bennett, a prior Hy-Vee winner, was in contention throughout the day. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Ultimately the view that all other athletes had of Lisa Norden: the back of her race kit. Here she is coming into T2, with Nikki Butterfield already on the run and Sarah Haskins racking her bike. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

After the race Lisa said the win made up for an injury-plagued 2011 season. Norden, and a few other athletes who competed, will be heading off early Monday morning for the ITU World Championship Series Grand Final race in Beijing. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Andy Potts is out of the water and on to his bike. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

After several years of nagging injuries, Hunter Kemper puts in a spectacular day for a second-place finish. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Paul Matthews descends while Macca climbs the additional loop behind the Capitol. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Chris "Macca" McCormack passes in front of the cheering crowd. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Greg Bennett flies out of T2 trying to chase down Ben Collins. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Billard Bertrand of France, leads Matty Reed and Paul Matthews into T2. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

The long out and back run on East Locust back to the blue carpet of T1, more than half of the men’s field can be seen coming and going. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Greg Bennett put in an amazing performance to win $151,500 as the top athlete. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Mirinda Carfrae and Tim O'Donnell share a moment post-race. Tim received a stand-down penalty when his sunglasses fell off of his bike. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Haskins (third), Norden (first) and Carfrae (second) share the podium and smiles! Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Stuart Hayes (third), Greg Bennett (first) and Hunter Kemper (second) share the men’s podium. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image