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2005 Kona Ironman World Championship
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 2006-02-12 8:46 PM |
Elite 2458    Livingston, MT |  Subject: 2005 Kona Ironman World ChampionshipSo my buddy gave me a copy of the race on DVD. There were several people in the race that I didn't understand why they'd be there. Most notable was a chick with an artificial leg and a guy with ALS. My question is this, if they just wanted to finish an Ironman, couldn't they have picked another regional Ironman? Is there any reason why the handicapped are racing in the world championships against the likes of Peter Reid, Al Sutan and Norman Stadler instead of say...Lake Placid? I might be able to understand letting a handicapped person in once but both the people I mentioned were back in Kona for their second time after failing the first time. It just doesn't make sense to me. |
| 2006-02-12 9:29 PM in reply to: #344333 |
Elite 3235 San Diego | Subject: RE: 2005 Kona Ironman World Championship I don't have a problem at all with it. There are certain # of spots available to challenged athletes. They have to complete a full or half IM to go to Kona, and still pay their money to get into the lottery. There is just less people that they are competing against in the lottery. The people I have problems with are the celebrities. I doubt they had to complete a half or full IM or even pay to get into the lottery... Then again it's not my race so I couldn't care less what they decide to do with it. |
| 2006-02-13 7:28 AM in reply to: #344333 |
Giver 18427 | Subject: RE: 2005 Kona Ironman World Championship There's a physically challenged division, for which those athletes have to qualify. Why can't those folks have a World Championship, too? And to your point, you do know that there's a lottery as well to let able-bodied non-qualifiers in, right?
ChuckyFinster - 2006-02-12 9:46 PM So my buddy gave me a copy of the race on DVD. There were several people in the race that I didn't understand why they'd be there. Most notable was a chick with an artificial leg and a guy with ALS. My question is this, if they just wanted to finish an Ironman, couldn't they have picked another regional Ironman? Is there any reason why the handicapped are racing in the world championships against the likes of Peter Reid, Al Sutan and Norman Stadler instead of say...Lake Placid? I might be able to understand letting a handicapped person in once but both the people I mentioned were back in Kona for their second time after failing the first time. It just doesn't make sense to me. |
| 2006-02-13 8:27 AM in reply to: #344333 |
| Crystal Lake, IL | Subject: RE: 2005 Kona Ironman World Championship Chucky - just looking for clarification here. Were you unaware that they have their own divisions? Or are you saying they should not make space for those divisions at Kona and replace them with what you consider "normal" triathletes? Because if it is the latter, I would ask who pissed in your Wheaties?
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| 2006-02-13 8:28 AM in reply to: #344333 |
Pro 3906 St Charles, IL | Subject: RE: 2005 Kona Ironman World Championship ChuckyFinster - 2006-02-12 7:46 PM So my buddy gave me a copy of the race on DVD. There were several people in the race that I didn't understand why they'd be there. Most notable was a chick with an artificial leg and a guy with ALS. My question is this, if they just wanted to finish an Ironman, couldn't they have picked another regional Ironman? Is there any reason why the handicapped are racing in the world championships against the likes of Peter Reid, Al Sutan and Norman Stadler instead of say...Lake Placid? I might be able to understand letting a handicapped person in once but both the people I mentioned were back in Kona for their second time after failing the first time. It just doesn't make sense to me. Did either of them take a spot that you feel you deserved more? If not, wtf do you give a rats ass. Why don't you go kick some puppies? BTW, both Sarah and Blazeman finished. Stadler didn't. -Chris |
| 2006-02-13 8:36 AM in reply to: #344512 |
Giver 18427 | Subject: RE: 2005 Kona Ironman World Championship coredump - 2006-02-13 9:28 AM BTW, both Sarah and Blazeman finished. Stadler didn't. -Chris Yes...and if 15:05 with one set of leg muscles isn't worthy of a World Championship, I dunno what is. |
| 2006-02-13 8:55 AM in reply to: #344333 |
Regular 61 Memphis, TN | Subject: RE: 2005 Kona Ironman World Championship I think it is what makes this sport so great. You can compete in it whether you have one leg or two. I believe it was one of the reasons the lottery is available is to allow people to compete that would otherwise not qualify. IM Hawaii has always done this. The inspirational stories are a good marketing tool as well that will bring in a bigger viewing audience. |
| 2006-02-13 8:55 AM in reply to: #344333 |
Science Nerd 28760 Redwood City, California | Subject: RE: 2005 Kona Ironman World Championship I've actually always been more inspired by the not professional athletes at Kona. They are the ones I'm more interested in following than the likes of Reid and Stadler. I feel like I have more to learn from them than the pros. I think they should be allowed to race. It's not like the race directors are letting unqualified people to race. |
| 2006-02-13 10:21 AM in reply to: #344333 |
Pro 4100 Wherever the trail takes me, WA. | Subject: RE: 2005 Kona Ironman World Championship I couldn't agree w/ Coredump more! I actually had more fun this year watching the 15-17th Hours, than 11-12th Hours. The vibe is extremely different. You have chills in those final couple hours.... Suffering longer than those of the pro's.... Look how many pro's dropped this year... Lessing, Stadler, Deboom, Bentley (she is still a champ! Appendix burst). These guys had a bad day, so they decided not to finish. Look at Badmann 2 years ago (I think?).. She was puking 5 miles into the run, and battled through... She finished and eventually ended up winning. TRUE CHAMPIONS do whatever it takes.. Hell or high water... 1 leg or 2 leg... Disease free or not... They will FINISH! |
| 2006-02-13 10:39 AM in reply to: #344509 |
| Elite 2458 Livingston, MT | Subject: RE: 2005 Kona Ironman World Championship hangloose - 2006-02-13 5:27 AM Chucky - just looking for clarification here. Were you unaware that they have their own divisions? Or are you saying they should not make space for those divisions at Kona and replace them with what you consider "normal" triathletes? Because if it is the latter, I would ask who pissed in your Wheaties?
No I was completely unaware. I thought there was only age groupers and pros. It makes sense then if they are competing amongst themselves. I also didn't know that they had already completed a regional as MadCow had stated. thx 4 the info. |
| 2006-02-13 10:46 AM in reply to: #344333 |
Master 1728 Pulaski TN | Subject: RE: 2005 Kona Ironman World Championship I am with you guys as well I felt more inspired by the non pros than anything, Watching the one guy with ALS who was almost not going to be able to make the bike time trudge on and finish, or the 80 year old granfather with his whole family with him as he crossed the finish line, and the young lady that is a amputee cross the line which if I am correct last year missed the time by three minutes or something. If you want to be inspired man there ya go or you could be inspired by the 04 champ who quit because of a couple of flats. No matter what the situation these people finished and are now Ironmen(or women) and I applaud them!!! |
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