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2010-08-13 6:59 PM
in reply to: #3041393

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Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
PennState - 2010-08-13 3:03 AM
Plissken74 - 2010-08-12 9:48 PM
bryancd - 2010-08-11 9:07 PM Maylasia and China are likely the two least participated races on the IM schedule, so yes, your odds there are better, but if you think you can come to any North American race and be a superstar, think again. Now, what is true is that there are races where the opportunity to get a roll down are much greater due to the costs of going to Kona. New Zealand and Brazil come to mind.


so the problem is that you all guys are taking my comments "personally", being a North American. This is not the point. IMWI is giving the M35-39 at around 10h15 and this is probably because the race is close to Kona event and not so many people are interested in competing for Kona at IMWI.
My consideration is behind the North American triathletes performances.
Saying that the best europeans triathletes are concentrated in Austria,CH and DE doesn't mean that europeans triathletes are better than north americans!
I think you are misunderstanding us. Personally I could care less what you Or anyone thinks about the different IMs. All I corrected as did others was the fact that you were opining about the relative ease of qualifying at north American events and then cited data on Malaysia and China. Far as I can tell we don't own those countries or their IMs? Come race IMAZ with me in 2011 and then you can tell me how easy the American AGs are lol. Hey race ANY IM in north America and qualify, as you will have our full respect.


Personally, this is the most shocking statement in the thread!


2010-08-13 7:06 PM
in reply to: #3043130

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
Oh, please, Chris! Did you really think all of Fred's protestations about how he's not racing an Ironman next year were for real?! He feels it....feels like he's close...he's got Big Island fever and nothing will cure it but more cow bell!


Christ, now I might have to put his whole family up in my 2 guest rooms, Lord have Mercy...

Edited by bryancd 2010-08-13 7:08 PM
2010-08-13 7:18 PM
in reply to: #3043131

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
bryancd - 2010-08-13 5:06 PM Oh, please, Chris! Did you really think all of Fred's protestations about how he's not racing an Ironman next year were for real?! He feels it....feels like he's close...he's got Big Island fever and nothing will cure it but more cow bell!


Hmm...I may have to challenge my wife to see if she can finish the bike before Fred finishes the whole thing...
2010-08-13 7:23 PM
in reply to: #3043139

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Master
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Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
tcovert - 2010-08-13 5:18 PM  
Hmm...I may have to challenge my wife to see if she can finish the bike before Fred finishes the whole thing...


Not sure how it works in your household, but race challenges to spouses doesn't sound like a good a recipe for marital bliss to me!
2010-08-13 7:25 PM
in reply to: #3037686

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2010-08-13 7:33 PM
in reply to: #3043146

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Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
PennState - 2010-08-13 6:25 PM

Ha!
btw I've signed up for nothing, but if I do IMAZ 2011 it will be a wife and me only trip with family watching the kids. Tracie is interested in the 'Spa scene' in Scottsdale apparently


  • ..and you will have a place to stay or at the very least come visit for some good food and training. We are right next to Scottsdale and the spa's and even have a great one in town. Mi casa su casa, Fred.

  • Yes, this is where I live:

    http://copperwynd.com/

    Edited by bryancd 2010-08-13 7:34 PM


    2010-08-13 7:35 PM
    in reply to: #3037686

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    2010-08-13 7:41 PM
    in reply to: #3043158

    Champion
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    Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
    PennState - 2010-08-13 6:35 PM

    Thanks, nice to know!


    You would be a treasured guest. Best part is I can drive you down to the start in 20min from my house with zero hassle. If you stay in Scottsdale, your a good 25 min from the start having to deal with cars and parking. Hell, I'll even get your wife a Janus hospitality pass so she can hang out with Michael Lovato for the day .
    2010-08-13 8:54 PM
    in reply to: #3043131

    Master
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    Redlands, CA
    Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time

    bryancd - 2010-08-13 5:06 PM Oh, please, Chris! Did you really think all of Fred's protestations about how he's not racing an Ironman next year were for real?! He feels it....feels like he's close...he's got Big Island fever and nothing will cure it but more cow bell! Christ, now I might have to put his whole family up in my 2 guest rooms, Lord have Mercy...

    He's the Brett Favre of triathlon!

    2010-08-13 9:34 PM
    in reply to: #3043274

    Champion
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    Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
    furiousferret - 2010-08-13 7:54 PM

    bryancd - 2010-08-13 5:06 PM Oh, please, Chris! Did you really think all of Fred's protestations about how he's not racing an Ironman next year were for real?! He feels it....feels like he's close...he's got Big Island fever and nothing will cure it but more cow bell! Christ, now I might have to put his whole family up in my 2 guest rooms, Lord have Mercy...

    He's the Brett Favre of triathlon!



    That's Dr. Bret Favre to you, son!
    2010-08-13 9:56 PM
    in reply to: #3042284

    Master
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    Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
    ultrahip_00 - 2010-08-13 9:49 AM
    ironlib - 2010-08-13 9:24 AM
    Lilac J - 2010-08-12 11:09 PM
    velcromom - 2010-08-12 11:47 PM ....and top 8 in AG doesn't matter if you're in an old lady category.  THEN you have to be top 2....or 1!


    x2, even for young ladies!  What rolldown?  It all depends on who shows up.  1-2 spots leaves zero margin for error, and you'd better know the roster before toeing the line.  I envy the guys in M35-39 with way more spots, even if it is a faster AG. 


    x3. in W25-29 and its very hard to predict about what time you need to go. with 1-2 slots, all it takes is one phenom to knock you out where at another race you could have been a shoe in. having 8 places is nice for knowing about what you have to go time wise even though it is deeper and harder to break into that top 8.



    Even though I am still in the lower age groups that have less spots - i still see it as easier than the age groups that get 8 slots.  Like Fred pointed out, 8 slots for 530 people. . or 2 slots for 15-30 people .

    I think we are all in agreement that KQ is tough, and you have to be committed to your goals for a long time to have a shot. 


    Except that it's 1 or 2 slots for 90-100 people (old ladies).  AND IMWI 2009 had a dead body in the lake.  They should have allowed 20 more slots overall.


    2010-08-14 4:45 AM
    in reply to: #3042431

    Veteran
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    Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
    jazz82482 - 2010-08-13 12:53 PM
    ironlib - 2010-08-13 12:24 PM
    Lilac J - 2010-08-12 11:09 PM
    velcromom - 2010-08-12 11:47 PM ....and top 8 in AG doesn't matter if you're in an old lady category.  THEN you have to be top 2....or 1!


    x2, even for young ladies!  What rolldown?  It all depends on who shows up.  1-2 spots leaves zero margin for error, and you'd better know the roster before toeing the line.  I envy the guys in M35-39 with way more spots, even if it is a faster AG. 


    x3. in W25-29 and its very hard to predict about what time you need to go. with 1-2 slots, all it takes is one phenom to knock you out where at another race you could have been a shoe in. having 8 places is nice for knowing about what you have to go time wise even though it is deeper and harder to break into that top 8.
    Yeah- at LP, there were two studs in my AG! The first girl was 6th overall female, breaking the LP amateur record (hitting 10:00) while #2 broke the record as well, and was only 10min behind #1. Craziness!! Thankfully #1 already got a Kona slot!


    perfect example and congrats on your KQ!! I saw those top two in your age group and I almost fell off my chair. That is unreal for our AG to have to go 10 hours to KQ!!!! holy crap! enjoy kona girl. nice race! 
    2010-08-14 5:36 AM
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    2010-08-14 5:37 AM
    in reply to: #3043326

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    2010-08-14 2:03 PM
    in reply to: #3043428

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    Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
    ironlib - 2010-08-14 4:45 AM
    That is unreal for our AG to have to go 10 hours to KQ!!!! holy crap!  


    Welcome to my world!  The only difference is its the 7th or 8th slot instead of #2. 

    Jazz, Congrats on the Kona slot! 
    2010-08-16 3:20 AM
    in reply to: #3037686

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    Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
    "Sure the same players are around as years past, but as I have said about Europe, you just can’t hide over here and both these boys have been cleaning up here, and in the USA. Whether you are racing a club event or a big Ironman race, the depth of talent is so deep that just winning races in Europe is tough. Many of the events now in the USA are diluted amongst the pro fields simply because athletes have the ability to pick from a big pool of races. In Europe there are 4 Ironman 70.3 races and 4 Ironmans.  It’s basic supply and demand. The price for lack of supply in Europe is stacked fields and incredibly fast, aggressive racing. I just love it and for 16 years I have been coming over here for that very reason.  It is not about money, it’s all about the competition, and feeding that drive to race." - Macca

    He always says that about any races he does in Europe, they're always tougher.

    Why? Fast people are fast the world over, but over here in europe there's very little people looking to just complete an IM, most have done triathlons for years and only move up when theyre ready to compete. Races don't fill up as fast so in general all the fast athletes will get into any race they want. In NA races fill up almost instantaneously and alot of slots are taking by wannabe finishers etc.

    Also look at the female participation in europe, it's extremely low and it's a male dominated sport over here. Last year IM France had only 6% women, so you're talking about ALOT more men per races, which generally means alot more fast people to compete against. Also the more men in the finishing statistics the faster the race will look on surveys done like in this thread, it's not accurate at all.

    I've read countless of race reports from americans doing european IMs and I think in every one they have commented on how fast the field was and how there were very few if any overweight people etc, everyone looking likes pros.

    I think the consencus is that NA IM fields are less competitive that EU ones, but that's nothing to do with the quality of triathletes in NA atm, it's all about who competes and who gets the slots. Slow IM wannabe types take up ALOT more slots in NA which dilutes the field alot and faster racers get unlucky and get left out. In europe most races don't fill up for months and some don't even fill up at all, so all the racers have their choices of races, can drop and join different races if their circumstances change etc which all allows for a better quality field.


    2010-08-16 3:27 AM
    in reply to: #3045234

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    Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
    ex-buzz - 2010-08-15 10:20 AM "Sure the same players are around as years past, but as I have said about Europe, you just can’t hide over here and both these boys have been cleaning up here, and in the USA. Whether you are racing a club event or a big Ironman race, the depth of talent is so deep that just winning races in Europe is tough. Many of the events now in the USA are diluted amongst the pro fields simply because athletes have the ability to pick from a big pool of races. In Europe there are 4 Ironman 70.3 races and 4 Ironmans.  It’s basic supply and demand. The price for lack of supply in Europe is stacked fields and incredibly fast, aggressive racing. I just love it and for 16 years I have been coming over here for that very reason.  It is not about money, it’s all about the competition, and feeding that drive to race." - Macca

    He always says that about any races he does in Europe, they're always tougher.

    Why? Fast people are fast the world over, but over here in europe there's very little people looking to just complete an IM, most have done triathlons for years and only move up when theyre ready to compete. Races don't fill up as fast so in general all the fast athletes will get into any race they want. In NA races fill up almost instantaneously and alot of slots are taking by wannabe finishers etc.

    Also look at the female participation in europe, it's extremely low and it's a male dominated sport over here. Last year IM France had only 6% women, so you're talking about ALOT more men per races, which generally means alot more fast people to compete against. Also the more men in the finishing statistics the faster the race will look on surveys done like in this thread, it's not accurate at all.

    I've read countless of race reports from americans doing european IMs and I think in every one they have commented on how fast the field was and how there were very few if any overweight people etc, everyone looking likes pros.

    I think the consencus is that NA IM fields are less competitive that EU ones, but that's nothing to do with the quality of triathletes in NA atm, it's all about who competes and who gets the slots. Slow IM wannabe types take up ALOT more slots in NA which dilutes the field alot and faster racers get unlucky and get left out. In europe most races don't fill up for months and some don't even fill up at all, so all the racers have their choices of races, can drop and join different races if their circumstances change etc which all allows for a better quality field.


    Excellent post!
    2010-08-16 6:23 AM
    in reply to: #3045234

    Champion
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    Alabama
    Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
    ex-buzz - 2010-08-16 3:20 AM "Sure the same players are around as years past, but as I have said about Europe, you just can’t hide over here and both these boys have been cleaning up here, and in the USA. Whether you are racing a club event or a big Ironman race, the depth of talent is so deep that just winning races in Europe is tough. Many of the events now in the USA are diluted amongst the pro fields simply because athletes have the ability to pick from a big pool of races. In Europe there are 4 Ironman 70.3 races and 4 Ironmans.  It’s basic supply and demand. The price for lack of supply in Europe is stacked fields and incredibly fast, aggressive racing. I just love it and for 16 years I have been coming over here for that very reason.  It is not about money, it’s all about the competition, and feeding that drive to race." - Macca

    He always says that about any races he does in Europe, they're always tougher.

    Why? Fast people are fast the world over, but over here in europe there's very little people looking to just complete an IM, most have done triathlons for years and only move up when theyre ready to compete. Races don't fill up as fast so in general all the fast athletes will get into any race they want. In NA races fill up almost instantaneously and alot of slots are taking by wannabe finishers etc.

    Also look at the female participation in europe, it's extremely low and it's a male dominated sport over here. Last year IM France had only 6% women, so you're talking about ALOT more men per races, which generally means alot more fast people to compete against. Also the more men in the finishing statistics the faster the race will look on surveys done like in this thread, it's not accurate at all.

    I've read countless of race reports from americans doing european IMs and I think in every one they have commented on how fast the field was and how there were very few if any overweight people etc, everyone looking likes pros.

    I think the consencus is that NA IM fields are less competitive that EU ones, but that's nothing to do with the quality of triathletes in NA atm, it's all about who competes and who gets the slots. Slow IM wannabe types take up ALOT more slots in NA which dilutes the field alot and faster racers get unlucky and get left out. In europe most races don't fill up for months and some don't even fill up at all, so all the racers have their choices of races, can drop and join different races if their circumstances change etc which all allows for a better quality field.



    Seems to indicate it might actually be more difficult to qualify in Europe than in the US.  The supply and demand thing makes good sense.

    Good post!

    ~Mike
    2010-08-16 11:54 AM
    in reply to: #3037686

    Champion
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    Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time

    Dang, this thread sure got quiet.  Reckon no one is willing to say Macca doesn't know what he is talking about.

    After reading the Macca quote, I looked at the rankings again and notice all 4 Europeon IMs have faster average finish times than the 7 US IMs.  While each course is unique, I can certainly see why one might find it easier to KQ in the US rather than Europe.

    ~Mike

    2010-08-16 1:48 PM
    in reply to: #3037686

    Master
    1404
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    Eagle Mountain, Utah
    Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
    My perception is that it is harder to qualify at European IM's than it is at a North American race but that could be cause the times are faster but then again courses are different so who knows. To me it looks like it boils down to who has the faster athletes and the way to compare this is to evaluate the times from Kona between the Europeans and North Americans? If I get bored I can compare the times at Kona between age groups, Europe vs North America just to instill more debate. I do kind of question Macca's assertion though in the fact that he has not raced any of the N.A. races other than Kona to my knowledge so I am wondering how he can make that judgement.
    2010-08-16 2:38 PM
    in reply to: #3037686

    Master
    2404
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    Redlands, CA
    Subject: RE: Ranking of Ironman courses by Finish Time
    I guess it boils down to the communities and what the sport represents.  Over there its more stringent and less open to newcomers, and here its the opposite.  I do think many over here triathlon is an extension of fitness that is a natural evolution of getting in shape; a person runs, bikes, or cycles for years to get in shape, they meet the goal, and consider triathlon the next step. 

    I think its also fair to add that in addition to having 100 million more people than NM, Europe has less IM's.

    Edited by furiousferret 2010-08-16 2:39 PM


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