M- kienle, Jan, Potts
W- Rinna, Ryf, Jackson

Men:
1 - Lance
2 - Lieto
3 - Macco

Women
1 - Chrissie
2 - Rinny
3 - Cave

Oh wait, what year is this.......

Men
1 - Kienle
2 - Frodo
3 - Potts

Women
1 - Ryf
2 - Rinny
3 - Hauschildt

Frodeno
Potts
Reed

Jackson
Carfrae
Gajer

Current forecast for Saturday is for showers and a high of 84º. I'd say that changes the race dynamics immensely. It gives guys like McMahon and Sanders a much better chance of a podium. Anyone know why Vanhoenacker isn't racing this year?

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Madison photographer Timothy Hughes | Instagram

After his last not so stellar race in Kona, Marino vowed to not return. Things have never gone that well for him there even when he's seemed to have had a really excellent lead up. If it does top out at 84*F versus the 89 of last year it will definitely make for a much less oppressive race for everyone.

Hugh

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Genetics load the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger.

which is funny, cus he did well at imchoo last week

Which is actually kind of sad. He won a race in wayyyy hotter conditions than Kona will be by 7 minutes.

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Madison photographer Timothy Hughes | Instagram

Humidity and heat are not the same thing.

The weather in Kona is perfect.

That is, unless you are trying to run a marathon in the afternoon sun.
(Then it feels like your stuck in Roseanne Barr's a#. And smells like it too - but thats just you).

 
Bozzone, Jan, Sebi, McKenzie. Haven't picked out order yet. Lets go NZL. Southern Hemisphere domination in top 10 this year.



Rinne, Ryf, Hauschildt

He got tired of Greg Welch butchering the pronunciation of his name.

M- Potts
Kienle

W- Ryf
Carfrae

I'd really like to see Andy win one, Depending on how she recovered from a heavy race load this year I just don't see how Carfrae can hang with Ryf. Of course I'm a noob and don't really know $hit !

I remember that interview he gave. If this year is indeed the coolest in recent history that guy is going to be kicking himself though.

Cooler temps will open really open up the race across the board IMO. Fast athletes will still be fast, but there could be a lot of surprises.

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Madison photographer Timothy Hughes | Instagram

Men's race I predict a boring race: Frodeno, Reed, Hoffman.
Women's race I think it will be a classic: Carfrae, Hauschild, Wurtele.

I think the men's race will be similar to last year, Kienle will bridge to the front group but will go too hard, so lose it big time on the run. Reed and Hoffman will run more conservatively and be happy with podium places. (2nd and 3rd could be almost anyone!)

Women's race will see Ryf in the front group of the swim, Rinny a couple of minutes back and Hauschild even further back. Hauschild will pass Rinny late on the bike, Ryf won't make up much time on Rinny, and will lose time on Hauschild on the bike. Ryf starts the run, maybe Swallow will be with her, but she will only with a 5-8 minute advantage over the 2 runners. She goes out hard but starts losing time, pushes and blows up. Rinny runs by Hauschild late on in a 2:50 run. Wurtele inherits 3rd place from a broken Ryf.

Weather updated to 92ºF Saturday. Little different than 84º lol.

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Madison photographer Timothy Hughes | Instagram

Has anyone brought up TO or Hoffman? Yeah, I'm American, but they look solid and mentally they are ready. USA sweep.

To use a Macca quote "When Crowie won, he was built like a brick sh*thouse." They both look like "a brick sh*house" at the moment.

If I'm using that theory:

Hoffman
TO
Potts
_____

Sanders
Frodo
Don
Kienle
Bozzone

Bigger payout if the odds aren't in my favor, eh. Haven't paid much attention to the Women this year. I'll pick the ladies I like the best. If you have a beer sponsor, you're No 1 in my book.

Corbin
Jackson
Kessler

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"The person on top of the mountain didn't fall there." - unkown

also rule 5

Women: Rinny, Ryf, Wurtele
Men: Kinele, McMahon, Frodeno

Women
1) Hauschildt
2) Carfrae
3) Ryf

Men
1) Frodo
2) McMahon
3) Kinele

1. Ryf
2. Jackson
3. Carfrae


1. Frodeno
2. Kienle
3. Thomas

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Jason
None of the secrets of success will work unless you do.

Men:

Kienle
Frodeno
Vanlierde (boy is he fit) surprises people Saturday

Women:
Ryf in a land slide (anyone that says she isn't as fit as last year is clueless).
Mel H
Mary Beth in her swan song

I hope he eats something after the race

M-T.O., Kienle, Potts

W. Carfee, Ryf, Wurtele

Jesus. He looks like he has full blown AIDS.

I've read that about 5 times now (stupid IPhone update), and laugh each time

Men:

Frodo can hang with Potts for the swim, that says to me Potts won't win. Anything can happen I guess.

Raelert (I just like him)
Frodo
Keinle

McMahon/Sanders are in the top ten

Women:

The 70.3 worlds worries me but Ryf is too good not to podium (I think)
Carfrae
Wurtele
Ryf

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Dan Mayberry
Amateur a lot of things, professional a few things.

Is being built like a brick shit house weighing around 68kgs at 1.8m? for Craig Alexander...

How heavy was Macca really when he won Kona? His legs are solid but his upper body always looked manorexic with his ribs showing through his chest etc.