other

rooms, pool, spa, sport court and 4 car garage. $2,795,000

It’s a typical morning in the Dinu household. Mom gets up with Ariana (age 12) to make sure she’s fueled for a 10-mile run before school. Then dad takes over with both girls on a bike ride to school. Most days end with additional training after the A-students finish their homework. The passion for biking started when Ariana (then age 6) was determined to ride in the 2018 Tour de Scottsdale. Hundreds of miles later, that same passion has been passed along to younger sister Carina.

Last November, Carina became the youngest rider ever to complete the 102-mile ride in the El Tour de Tucson. At age 7, she took over the title Ariana had achieved in 2021—and beat her sister’s time at just 8 hours and 15 minutes. “I wanted to break my sister’s record and she really inspired me. She told me to not give up,” says Carina. With her sister’s record broken, Carina plans to exercise her love of running and swimming by competing in triathlons with Ariana next.

Ariana has earned medals in several half marathons around the Valley. In April, she competed in Cactus Man Triathlon Olympic distance: 1500-meter swim, 24-mile bike, 6.2 mile run. She placed first and was declared Arizona State Champion in her age group (10-14 years). She was also named fastest female athlete under age 25.

After regular training in Flagstaff during the summer, Ariana will compete in Mountain Man Triathlon. Her goal is to build up to a full Ironman by 18 years old. For the past 6 months, she has been training with coach John Ballard at Tri-Scottsdale. “She’s a breath of fresh air because she knows what she wants to do and has the support of her parents. I think she’ll get to a point where she heads the Olympic route or stays on this lifelong path of triathlons. Her endurance is crazy. She’s done longer rides than most people I know,” says Ballard.

With dreams of competing in the Tour de France alongside Carina, Ariana says, “We’re a team and we’re just warming up. Watch out world for the Dinu sisters!” Off to a great start, catch the family for a ride in the neighborhood (the 55-mile Tour de DC Ranch, as they call it) or swimming laps at the Desert Camp Community Center pool. Be sure to give Ariana and Carina a big thumbs up.

This 2,896/sf Windgate Ranch single level home backs to open space with mountain views and includes Great room open to kitchen, 3 bedrooms, office and 3.5 baths. $1,750,000

Talus at Troon North boasts this 6,541/sf new contemporary with a

Mirabel Country Club new single level contemporary with a Great room floor plan with 4 bedrooms, office, 5.5 baths, guest retreat, pool, BBQ, and a 4 car garage. $3,995,000