Given over 400 people get a free ticket to the big dance each year, the lottery is small fry.
We have this discussion every year.
Sponsors get about 120 spots all up. So work for one of those companies.
The USA Defense forces get free spots that they don't qualify for. Unsure of the actual number. 25 or 50?
All countries get free spots of you run a race. ie Caine Eckstein from Australia, never done a race over a sprint got a free tricket. As did the RD niece is years gone past.
The sponsors from local Ironman's alway get spots. The SNAP people in Australia that sponsored IMWA used to get 2 spots eachyear to Kona. I imagine the deal with all other races would be the same.
Jane Patterson from IMNZ gets a free spot that she usually gives away but last year I think she raced. Once again just local here down under.
They gave away spots to the biggest losers and a few indy car racers last year. NFI this year.
And then the 200 spots from the lottery.
So that's a LOT of free spots.
I just don't get why it bugs people. It's still a private race. They can do what they want.
People that think the only way there is to qualify need to get smarter.
I have a mate (Scott) that has done Kona 7 times. Never qualified.
I have another (Fabs) that has done it 3 times. Never qualified. (2x Lottery, 1 free ride.)
I have another (Ken) that has done it 2 times. Never qualified.
We have this discussion every year.
Sponsors get about 120 spots all up. So work for one of those companies.
The USA Defense forces get free spots that they don't qualify for. Unsure of the actual number. 25 or 50?
All countries get free spots of you run a race. ie Caine Eckstein from Australia, never done a race over a sprint got a free tricket. As did the RD niece is years gone past.
The sponsors from local Ironman's alway get spots. The SNAP people in Australia that sponsored IMWA used to get 2 spots eachyear to Kona. I imagine the deal with all other races would be the same.
Jane Patterson from IMNZ gets a free spot that she usually gives away but last year I think she raced. Once again just local here down under.
They gave away spots to the biggest losers and a few indy car racers last year. NFI this year.
And then the 200 spots from the lottery.
So that's a LOT of free spots.
I just don't get why it bugs people. It's still a private race. They can do what they want.
People that think the only way there is to qualify need to get smarter.
I have a mate (Scott) that has done Kona 7 times. Never qualified.
I have another (Fabs) that has done it 3 times. Never qualified. (2x Lottery, 1 free ride.)
I have another (Ken) that has done it 2 times. Never qualified.
Rhymenocerus wrote:
I think everyone should consult ST before they do anything.