monty wrote:
Pretty thin fields on both mens and womens, but $25k more prize money than La Quinta. But that part of the world, not really surprised this time of year..I would watch it just for Ali, but alas, not covered... Says 6 slots to worlds, 2 for men, and 2 for women, who gets the other two, non binary???
Lazy copy and paste error by Tri247.
Date Event Prize Purse Slot Allocations
12/8/2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Bahrain, Middle East Championship $75,000 3MPRO/3WPRO
Start lists: https://files.constantcontact.com/...f4d-e57755162b86.pdf
Both SOFs are 82+ and PTO Gold tier (as a regional champs). MPRO SOF similar to Indian Wells (guess that was a "thin field" too). I assume all the short course athletes are attracted by the opportunity to grab a slot for Taupo and that's what makes the field's size and pointy end strength so high.
MPRO: Short course athletes will make it hard for Brownlee to win: Schoeman, van Riel, Studer, Stapley, Holm. But a win for Brownlee would see him into the PTO top #20.
Benito LĂłpez has always finished #4 or better this year, including two 70.3 wins with best race at Ibiza (#2 to Mignon).
WPRO: Lee is a DNS. Buckingham is bound to lead out the swim, stay ahead on the bike and try on the run. Holm (Anne) is #79. Salthouse and Matthews are fairly even on the swim, I think; Watkinson slower and playing catch up all morning.