EAGLE COUNTY — A Vail area woman accused of using another racer’s bib in the Leadville 100 bicycle race last year won’t go to jail. Wendy Lyall, 35, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of third-degree criminal trespass Monday in Lake County District Court, District Attorney Mark Hurlbert said.
Lyall’s sentence was deferred for one year as long as she meets certain conditions, Hurlbert said. Lyall must take bicycle safety education and write a letter of apology to the race organizers and community, Hurlbert said.
“As long as she does what we ask and stays clean, it will drop off her record,” he said.
Originally, Lyall had been charged with criminal impersonation, a felony that could bring up to 18 months in prison. That charge was dropped in a plea bargain Hurlbert reached Monday with Lyall’s attorney.
The other Vail area woman involved in the alleged bib swap, Katie Brazelton, 40, is set to appear in court June 7. She also faces a criminal impersonation charge.
Brazelton had received a spot in the popular bicycle race, but decided not to race and Lyall raced under Brazelton’s name. Lyall raced in the 40- to 49-year-old division and placed second, earning a gold pin and a silver belt buckle.
Sarah Mausolf, Vail Daily
Broderick to compete.
The University of Colorado’s Jessica Broderick of Middlebury, Conn., is among 10 triathletes set to compete Sunday at the International University Sports Federation’s 10th World University Championships in Valencia, Spain. Broderick was named USA Triathlon’s elite junior athlete of the year in 2009 after winning the USAT collegiate national championship that year.
Teva to sponsor U.S. teams.
The Vail-based U.S. men’s and women’s national whitewater raft teams recently signed a deal naming Teva as the title sponsor. According to a news release, the paddlers will play a critical role in Teva’s ongoing technical product testing and development.
The teams are preparing for the Teva Mountain Games in Vail, June 3-6, and the world rafting championships July 12-17 in the Netherlands.
Scott Willoughby, The Denver Post
