Team H2O Audio Ambassador Laura Bennett

This past weekend kicked off the competition season for H2O Audio Ambassador swimmers and triathletes.

Both Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin were in the competition pool at the Michigan Grand Prix of Swimming in Ann Arbor Michigan.  The meet was a tough one for Phelps as he took fourth in his signature event, the 200 butterfly.  A mere 40 minutes later, he was able to recoup and channel his disapointment in the fly into a winning performance in the 100 backstroke.  Fellow H2O Audio Ambassador Natalie Coughlin also had a good night with the 100 back as she took first and set an all time pool record for the event.

H2O Audio Ambassador triathlete, Laura Bennett, is currently ranked 6th in the 2011 ITU WCS rankings after her strong finish in the International Triathlon Union World Championship series opener over the weekend.

Great way to kick off the season everyone!

Our own Slater Trout charging at Sunset Beach during the Stand Up World Tour

We had to post about Greg and Laura Bennett who continue to rack up accolades without even competing! In the midst of their training in Australia, USA Triathlon named Laura Bennett ITU Olympic Triathlete of year for 2010, while Triathlete magazine named Greg Bennett one of the 15 greatest male triathletes of all time!  We’re so proud!  Greg and Laura, you both deserve it!

In the SUP world, Slater Trout made a solid showing at the first stop of the Stand Up World Tour at Sunset Beach.  Although he wasn’t one of the top finishers, there’s incredible pictures of him tackling huge surf….the 2011 season is just ramping up, so we can’t wait to see what Slater has in store for the rest of the year!

And of course, we can’t leave our swimmers out of the update, Michael Phelps has changed locations for a bit to get in some altitude training, while Natalie Coughlin continues on her path to 2012 in California.

Heading into the holidays, things are understandably quiet with Team H2O Audio.

Michael Phelps was scheduled to compete this past weekend in the Minnesota Grand Prix, but scratched siting no specific reason.

Natalie Coughlin is back from Italy and back to her training regiment.

Greg and Laura Bennett are chasing an endless summer and head back to Noosa, Australia in a few days.

And youngest team member Slater Trout continues to go to school, work on his driving skills and of course, paddle, paddle, paddle!

So now you’re up-to-date!  Keep checking back every Tuesday for the latest news from H2O Audio Ambassador athletes.

The Natalie-Coughlin-Eye-View of the competition pool in Bolzano, Italy.

It’s Tuesday, so it’s time to check in on what Team H2O Audio is up to:

Michael Phelps is gearing up to jump back into the competition pool this weekend at the kick-off event to the USA Swimming Grand Prix Meet Series in Minneapolis.  This is the first meet in a series of seven that runs into June, 2011.

Natalie Coughlin has been on the road and in the pool abroad.  Currently she is finishing up an International meet in Bolzano, Italy.  In between spending time with the Speedo Italy team, she posted good times in the 100 free, 100 IM and 100 fly.

Greg and Laura Bennett are getting back into training after a short break and Greg will soon be an official US citizen!  Today he tweeted that this afternoon will be his official swearing in ceremony.  Watch out US men, Greg Bennett is going for the 2012 Olympic USA triathlon team!

And last but certainly not least, Slater Trout and his family are settling back into home on Maui, Hawaii.  Nearly 16 years old, Slater recently used some of his prize winnings to buy himself a truck and also posted about helping to raise money for his old elementary school.

CEO Tom, and Community Manager Dana grab a quick photo with Slater post Battle of the Paddle

It was another amazing weekend of competition for H2O Audio athletes.  With both Slater Trout and the Bennetts competing in Southern California, we were lucky enough to get some face time in with the busy competitors.

Stand Up Paddler Slater Trout took on one of his biggest races of the year, The Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle in Dana Point, CA.  He placed 3rd in the Elite SUP Individual race, 2nd in the Distance race, 14 foot division, and 1st in the Team Relay race.  Not bad for only 15 years old….

Greg and Laura Bennett both raced in the Los Angeles stop of the Lifetime Fitness Series.  Laura reported that she was pleased with her 3rd place finish while Greg was just happy to have overcome his sick time in June and July to finish fourth.

We’re always happy to have such quality athletes and all around amazing people on our team!  Goooo Team H2O!