Athlete Bios

Athlete Bio

"Uncle Fred" Skinner - athlete bio

“Uncle Fred Skinner” Athlete bio - Fun facts: Kona Bound in 2020 after winning his age group at IMLV in 2019, Fred lives on a high mountain ski slope in New Hampshire with his wife Virginia, with beautiful views of Lake Winnipesaukee. Fred does his long rides around New Hampshire and every time he gets home he has to ride up the mountain one mile with a steady grade of 13%! (You can actually stand leaning into the mountain in front of his driveway.) Talk about a way to end every bike ride with a 1mi time trial treat on the legs! OUCH! Fred swims in open water across Lake Winnipesaukee during the warmer summer months and is a dedicated athlete.

Athlete Bio

Kelli "Making Moves" Rantz - athlete bio

Kelli "competitive" Rantz - athlete bio. “I am a Certified Pilates Instructor and Movement Specialist. I admit I am a total movement nerd and gait creeper! I just love teaching movement through mind/body connection and balanced muscle control. I am fascinated by watching random people walk, run, and cycle. Lately (about 14 years), I've been really caught up observing incorrect gait and pedal stroke). I really do drive my family, friends and sisters NUTS!”

Athlete Bio

"Ultra" Julian Summers - athlete bio

Tristar Athletes Southwest Team - "Ultra" Julian Summers - Julian is one of our brightest Tristars! reaching for both the moons and the heavens when it comes to goals. A competitive thirst for going long, and at the same time brining a winning attitude and smile to those he races along side; you can’t help but get caught up in his winning spirit!

Athlete Bio

Ash "from OZ" Forrester - athlete bio

Tristar Athletes Southwest - Ash “from OZ” Forrester;  “From Australia, love to travel and have lived for periods of time in various parts of the world including stints in London, New York, and now SoCal. Have 8 year old boy/girl twins.“ Coaches Notes: Ash is a fun and passionate athlete and somehow manages to train super hard doing so with a smile. We think he might be missing the “pain gene”!

Athlete Bio

Walter "gun show" Welsh - athlete bio

Tristar Athletes Northeast Team -Walter "gun show" Welsh - Walter has taken on some of the more challenging races in cycling across the country. From Fondo’s to tours, he has improved dramatically in just a few short seasons. Walter came out to our Oceanside race camp in 2019 and wasn’t satisfied with just any long ride, so he blazed his own trail to the top of Palomar Mountain. He wasn’t done there, he helped pull home the entire team on day three from San Diego to Oceanside!

Athlete Bio

Will "Draft Legal" Kampf - athlete bio

Tristar Athletes Southwest - Will "Draft Legal" Kampf - I look forward to every workout. Well, not every workout. Sessions on the bike trainer kind of hurt! I’m in a transition period of my life. Changing careers and putting my family first. Having a five and three year old has put a lot in perspective and requires a ton of work. It is making me a healthier person and allowing me to also get back into triathlon after a few years off


Athlete Bio

Kurt "Young Jedi" Skalamera- athlete bio

Tristar Athletes Northeast Team -Kurt "Young Jedi" Skalamera -  “….Nothing cools me down like a jump in the ocean after a long run. Nothing hydrates me like an ice cold beer after a long ride. I dive into movies like I dive into the pool: full immersion! Recovery days are the best when I can binge a good show or host a movie marathon. NYC is my home and I love all that it offers for food, culture, art and - not least of all - training!”

Athlete Bio

Nobuyuki "Yuki" Yukawa - athlete bio

Tristar Athletes Southwest - Nobuyuki “Yuki” Yukawa -My first race was Xterra off-road triathlon @ Laguna Beach back in 2016. I started MTB 7 years before that and self-trained for a year and finally I made it. After that race, I came across a swimming group, SMOG, and got to know Cliff and now I'm racing 70.3 Ironman and training is part of my life.

Athlete Bio

Angela "ultra competitive" Kirkendall - athlete bio

Tristar Athletes Northwest Team - Angela "ultra competitive" Kirkendall -  “I am a mom to Cooper (6), married to Kent. I am a Critical Care Nurse working in the Cardiology Dept. at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. I am ultra competitive person even though in triathlon I am a back of the packer. haha I have tried every sport under the sun as a child, and did well in most of them. Swimming is my happy place, and running is the death of me.”