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After 7th at IMLP where to go from here...
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So over the last few weeks there has been tons of talk about prize purses or lack thereof and the WTC, which is a good thing. However, where does it go from here?

The constant moaning and groaning about it and the way the WTC treats the pro athlete are not going to change anything. Only we (triathlon community, Pro’s, and Ager) can change the direction of the sport.

The Pro (term used loosely) needs to realize that he/she is running a business and needs to make smart decisions. The first and foremost thing a Pro must realize is the opportunity cost associated with a 140.6. Typically one can only withstand to compete at a competitive level only 2-3 140.6’s year. In a business if your biggest money making opportunity comes 2-3x/year you don’t go after it for a chance at winning $5K. Now there may be other strategic possibilities for racing said event, but at its face you just don’t do it, not when the cost are so high. Not only does it take away from that day, but you lose out on other races in the weeks leading up to that race and the weeks after that race. You could do 3-4 70.3 or race an OLY every weekend for 6-8 weeks and walk away with more money and less fatigue.

Further, you must think strategically! There were other same distance or shorter races than IMLP that paid more, with less of a field and you choose not to race. WHY? It’s like knowing there is oil 50 ft beneath you and yet you go to dig off-shore 8,000ft below for a 10% chance at finding a reserve that isn’t even half of what is right below you. Now this just sounds plain silly, but that’s exactly what you’re doing.

The BIGGEST and only bargaining chip that the Pro field has is Kona, IMO. If the TOP Pro’s weren’t doing Kona, then it wouldn’t draw such a big AG field. Some may beg to differ and that’s fine. None of us race a typical IM because of the pro field, that’s a fact. But at Kona you want to race there because that’s where the best of the best are going to race. NBC’s biggest television spot fall on the PRO and the midnight finishers. If there were no Pro field (or a very weak one), the television ratings would collapse and the WTC would lose tons of money when NBC cancels.

To change the WTC there are only two options-
A- Pro’s unionize and boycott Kona, but that only has a shot of working if the top 20 male and top 20 females decide to not partake.

B- Stop racing WTC! This applies to all and not just the Pro. It’s like you’re in an abusive relationship and trying to change the habits of your partner and it’s never going to change. You keep clinging to hope that they will change and they never do. Just put an end to it and move on to another relationship (Hello Challenge racing). If you’re racing because you love it, does it matter if it’s a WTC or other venue?

Despite what the poll at the right says that WTC is to blame for the prize purse. It is the Pro that is to blame for their own demise. No one made you become a PRO. You knew what the pay was going to be. There was a big cash purse out there (REV3) that you snubbed your nose to because it wasn’t IRONMAN and that is now gone.

WTC is in it for the money and that’s not going to change. They aren’t going to do what’s right for the sport. They are going to do what’s right for their shareholder(s). Why should WTC pay more? To further the sport? Because it’s the right thing to do? They are in it to make money, not care for the athlete. That is a fact which has been made clear especially with the revelation of the VP of North America in recent days across social media.

It is the triathlon community as a whole that decides what is the elusive “World Championship” race, not some PE Firm that bought a naming right.

So it’s up to you there PRO, the rest of us (well most of us) are eagerly waiting to support you.

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