opinion: men vs. women

I think it's a good idea. If I remember correctly, the first three years they used this format, women won. Then these last two years, the men took it. It appears that the "equalizer" is doing it's job.

p.s. Emma's MINE Jorge!!!!

Eh. I don't really care for it. Its just a big word for 'headstart' and didn't think it was that great.

I see the point, but in my mind the guys always kick the womens' butts so it just doesn't matter. It wasn't a photo finish was it? I think having the top women compete against a top age grouper, starting at the same time, would be much more interesting. Thats an equal race.

Its just another way to try to hold someone back so that it is 'even' or 'fair'.  I get beat by women in every race, and knowing that men are generally stonger etc, I have to deal with that.

In our society we dont like losers.  In kids soccer they dont keep score, the tax code has earners pay more tax and at a higher rate the more you make (holds you back), at work tasks are given out not on an even basis but difficult ones to those that can handle it...

We do this in our own lives as well.  Think about a moving party; men carry the heavy loads, women tend to unpack.  I even do it with my kids.  I give the oldest the most responsibility and hardest tasks.

I'll just add that I keep missing this tri, lately, but watched the first one or 2.  I can't quote the years, but in those cases, the same female won both times, with no men even on the radar screen.  It sounds like they've been closer recently.  That's sorta restored my faith in the concept. 

I wouldn't want the entire sport to do something like this on a regular basis.  But as a unique way to offer one top prize and get top athletes on board, I think it's fine.

I'm asking this because I honestly don't know.  If they took the top prize and split it 50/50 and offered half to each the top male and top female finisher would the race attract less pro athletes?  I know it is MORE attractive as one solid prize, but if they did this would it attract fewer PRO triathletes?

Discuss.

I totally dig the relay idea.  Teams of 2, one man and one woman- they decide who goes first.  Any RD's out there?

The top person got the 200,000$, the top other sex person got $80,000.  The top woman was beat by about 7 men or so. 

Alright, so a total of 280K to the top two finishers in each sex?  So what if they split it 140K each and did it in a traditional format?  Would less pros sign up because it is ONLY 140K? 

Psychologically, it's easier to stalk than to be stalked.

Only if you are faster. 

Or, if you are a giver rather than a taker. 

Well, since the pro men are *usually* faster than the pro women...

Right.  Point being that it doesn't suddenly become easier for the lead woman if she gets passed by the lead man and becomes the stalker.  The reason he passed her wasn't because he had an advantage as the stalker, it's because he was faster.  If he wasn't, then he's not going to catch her, stalker or not.