2008 Male Ironman Champion

just a FYI, Tim DeBoom isn't racing Kona. He's racing at Longhorn Ironman 70.3 Austin next week.

I would love to see Rutger Beke (sp?) win. Think it would be awesome.

Think craig alexander has a good shot, a first timer in kona 2007 3:30 behind the winner. If he's in this year and all goes well he has a shot, but then you have stadler who's going to be coming full boar if he's in. It will be interesting.

Potts is absolutely racing, and he's my pick to win Kona. After seeing him at Timberman, I'm convinced he's the real deal

Potts will not win Kona this year. Not going to happen. I think he will be in the top five though. It will be a good experience for him and he will be a threat for years to come, but he needs the experience first.

I am hoping that Potts reaches down and pulls this one out. I know he is a long shot but he is the real deal and he has it mentally. I hope his body stays with his mind.

we shall see.....

That experience factor was REALLY important last year for Chrissie Wellington, as I recall. How'd she do, again?????

Cameron Brown. Probably the last go he'll have at it. He's been racing well this year and he sure knows how to peak at the right times. Barring any illness he's going to be right up there and is a damn good shot at taking it out.

I am going to go out on a limb and make my predictions for Kona just for fun at the risk of being a hero or a zero since Ironman racing is not that easy to predict.

Potts will have the lead after the swim as far as the main contenders go (although he might sit in since it is his first but I do not see that), be caught around 30 - 35 miles into the bike by McCormack, Alexander, Llanos and a few others like Lieto and Sindballe. Stadler will catch them at around 50-60 miles into it and put about 5 minutes on the field. They learned not to let him have to big of a lead 2 years ago plus his running is better this year. I do not think Larsen can stay close enough on the swim to catch the leaders, but if he does it will be near the end of the bike and when the racing really starts with the marathon he will be off the back fairly quick. Mc Cormack, Alexander, Potts and Llanos will be chasing Stadler with Potts getting dropped at around 12 miles, Stadler caught at 17, and then a 3 way battle with the finish being:

1. McCormack
2. Alexander
3. Llanos
4. Stadler
5. Potts

This is provided no injuries, food posioning or drop outs. I reserve the right to change my predictions on Oct 12th. I would love to see Potts win but I do not see it happening. I will now go and make my predictions for the women on the other thread which I think is easier to do.

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the Aussies will take it (Macca or Crowie) but hopefully Normann, Faris, Llanos, Sindballe, Lieto et all are in the mix on the last 10 miles to make it an exciting race

In reply to:we shall see.....

That experience factor was REALLY important last year for Chrissie Wellington, as I recall. How'd she do, again?????

This is my response.

She had raced an Ironman before, and in the heat also, so I would say she had experience...

Edited by browner6 2008-09-29 9:04 PM

Dang, Lance is narrowly leading "me" in the voting. SHould be a heck of  a race

I think CROWIE IS UNDER RATED!! WATCH OUT FOR HIM!

Go Andy!
Maybe Norman will puke again.

My prediction of Crowie is looking good. I'll take Rutger Beke sneaking in for 2nd place.

Well, NOW we know!!! Craig Alexander....SWEET finish!

Ok, so here's my guess Alexander wins but only after Sideballe leads most of the race then drops to umm, out of the top 5. Stadler makes a good chse and even takes the lead for a while. Macca is going to have problems but not physical, it will be a shark attack, ran off the road or broken bike, so won't complete.

Guess we will see huh!!