I've won an Ironman Distance event in Fortaleza back in 2006 when I was still racing professionally, the event was named "Cabra da Peste" a local slang for a tough person. The announcements definitely brought me good memories.

Conditions are very rough, its a wind tunnel with the temperature of a sauna. I've written a course review here:

What to expect from the new Ironman in Fortaleza, Brazilhttp://www.ironguides.net/...in-fortaleza-brazil/[/quote[/url]]

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That is a great write up about what to possibly expect..Sure sounds like it could be an epic event but I think you will have scared off 99% of the Nth Americans.. A baking hot race in November with a non-wetsuit swim in choppy water followed by a windy ride on rough roads then a hot run...Lets not forget the long plane trip to a race in a "dodgy" country and you may have scared almoat everyone..

Sounds like a great race to me though ;-)

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Sounds like the Americas just got its own Lanzarote.

I've won an Ironman Distance event in Fortaleza back in 2006 when I was still racing professionally, the event was named "Cabra da Peste" a local slang for a tough person. The announcements definitely brought me good memories.

Conditions are very rough, its a wind tunnel with the temperature of a sauna. I've written a course review here:

What to expect from the new Ironman in Fortaleza, Brazilhttp://www.ironguides.net/...in-fortaleza-brazil/[/quote[/url]]

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That is a great write up about what to possibly expect..Sure sounds like it could be an epic event but I think you will have scared off 99% of the Nth Americans.. A baking hot race in November with a non-wetsuit swim in choppy water followed by a windy ride on rough roads then a hot run...Lets not forget the long plane trip to a race in a "dodgy" part of a "dodgy" country and you may have scared almoat everyone..

Sounds like a great race to me though ;-)

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No idea why WTC has not mentioned it...


Same reason perhaps Challenge is still not letting out where their new USA race is, or announced that they apparently are putting a new Half Challenge in Brazil, or why Rev 3 has also not mentioned the new Rev 3 Mexico on their website. As to what that reason is...who knows. Maybe they are all gaming each other and trying to steal thunder.

Apparently, Challenge doesn't have the marketing accumen to pull off something like that.......

Well, I am pretty sure you recall me calling their marketing efforts rookie ball in another thread...and that was BEFORE they pulled this stunt. I have seen nothing in the last week to change my view. The comments on facebook about their silly little game have not been flattering. They just keep raising the bar for the expectations to the point they cannot be met. I am still planning on doing the race, where ever it takes place, but not for reason related to how they have handled this. I just hope they run the race better than they have run the roll out.

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What exactly do you expect? Seriously,why has this got you so worked up and dissing Challenge at every turn? Rev3 are doing the same thing and nobody seems too worried..The only marketing that WTC seems to do is via the frenzy here after they have released that they are looking at destinations.I don't get why it is affecting you so much.

It is what it is and the race isn't on until the middle of next year so what is the rush?


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Oh stop responding to my emotional response with logic. :)

I am really not dissing Challenge "at every turn." In fact, in other threads I have suggested Challenge as an alternative to all the bitching about WTC, and have made it clear I am both intending to do this race, and hope Challenge does well. I have been waiting for Challenge to come to the USA for years, because I do think they can give WTC a real run for the money in putting on full iron distance events. They seem a classy organization from what I have seen. So, what exactly I expected was that on September 4, they would have announced the location. I just do not see the reason they think it is cute to doing their silly little game of 20 questions. Yes...it is over 8 months away. Yes, its a Challenge race so you will likely be able to sign up on race day. Yes, I know I am doing it, so I already know to start training. Yes, I know it will be in salter water, will be hot, probably windy. But I also think it rather silly for them to play it this way. But...since you have pointed out my irrationality...I shall keep it to myself from now on. They are getting my money, so maybe they know what they are doing after all.

Cheers.

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I'll give you a different perspective that I'm sure most people here will not believe but I have spent enough time with Felix and his people to actually think this might be "a small" part of why they do what they do.Felix is very much about supporting the new races that join the Challenge Family and he is passionate about helping each new Race Director develop each location as best he can.With that in mind it doesn't surprise me at all that he is waiting until after this weekends inaugural Challenge Allmere race before he hops on a plane and heads off to the USA for the mid week announcement.The last thing he would want is the Allmere race to be overshadowed by the USA race.He did the same thing when Challenge Penticton prematurely announced their half iron for next year.Challenge Penticton were immediately asked to remove all of their half iron announcements so they wouldn't overshadow the newly announced Challenge St Andrews.When the time is right Challenge Penticton will be allowed to announce their half iron.

Another thing to think about when looking at the two announcements for Challenge USA..There is a possibility the first announcement was in fact to legitimize the event from a potential sponsor point of view and perhaps even to instill a little faith in the leaders of chosen community itself.I am going through something similar at present and understand that for the money to start rolling in from sponsors and other interested parties the race needs to be legitimized.That first announcement did that.The next announcement is for the athletes.


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