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DC left off WCS by ITU
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http://www.triathlon.org/...hip_series_calendar/

Looks like DC got dumped. Shame too, heard that race was quite well run and attended by fans.

Seems like an uphill battle having World Cups (sorry, World Championship series races) stay in the US.

Didn't think DC would be a one time thing.
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [trimess] [ In reply to ]
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I looked at the schedule, how many places got races again in 2010? I assume London got it based on the olympics, but what about the others?

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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [bad929] [ In reply to ]
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All the European races are repeats and that is it.

Hungary has had the longest consecutive World Cup though, so kind of a repeat. Still an odd place for the Grand Final.

I hope they find a better course in Seoul than the one I raced last year. Man, the smog was absolutely ridiculous. Kind of disconcerning to be running around near the river and most people are breathing through masks.
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [trimess] [ In reply to ]
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This is beyond bizarre. They came into town pretty much at the last minute, and hundreds of people here moved heaven and earth to pull off a pretty darn good event. It would make at least a little sense if they wanted to use a different US venue, but it looks like the entire country got stiffed.

I guess the ITU is saying they have everything they need, thank you, and are not interested in doing business in the US. Odd, to say the least.
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [trimess] [ In reply to ]
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Might still be a chance for DC or another US city. From the linked article.....

"An eighth event is also under review and if added to the series is likely to take place in May."
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [ElGordo] [ In reply to ]
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Someone posted on facebook that the USAT declined having an event in the USA. Don't know how credible the info is though.

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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [msuguy512] [ In reply to ]
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It was supposedly way too expensive to justify...
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [Uncle Phil] [ In reply to ]
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what about all the money they are saving by having sprint and olympic nat's in the same place? :)

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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [msuguy512] [ In reply to ]
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Do you have any idea what ITU charges to host a race?

Dave

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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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It's not how much ITU charges for a race - it's the costs of putting an ITU race on!

I heard that the DC race lost over $600,000.

Not many RD's around can work with those numbers and stay in business! Z
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [tomziebart] [ In reply to ]
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Yep, most folks have no idea how much money can be lost, even though some think RD's are getting rich over events
and charging too much money for entry.

Dave

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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [trimess] [ In reply to ]
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"D.C. sets epic stage for triathlon"

Written by: Timothy Carlson
Date: Fri Jun 19 2009

"...But the biggest roll of the dice is Washington DC - perhaps a can opener to the huge North American market and possibly a lure to increase the international hunger for triathlon racing. The icons are the biggest of the World's sole remaining (for how long?) superpower. After decades of international distaste for America thanks to the Bush Administration, Obama has created a U-Turn in US. And maybe, just maybe, a hotly competitive triathlon winding through and past historic American symbols will be a hit on TV..."

We voted for Obama and the Euro's STILL don't love us? Waaaahhhhhh!
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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I think 100'000 US$.

That's only the cost of having the WCS label (be part of the series).
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [Diabolo] [ In reply to ]
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have any of the rd's here received the itu's bid document? word on the street is it starts at a million which covers prize money, athlete services, itu media requirement and needs of itu staff and infrastructure. then you need to look at the cost of putting on the race. it costs. plenty. those who pay receive the 'honor' of hosting. simple really.

hungary was chosen b/c that is where worlds is next year and the grand final is where worlds is. london is obvious due to olympics.
alex
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [greg'n] [ In reply to ]
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We voted for Obama

Speak for yourself. :)


Written by: Timothy Carlson
Date: Fri Jun 19 2009

"...But the biggest roll of the dice is Washington DC - perhaps a can opener to the huge North American market and possibly a lure to increase the international hunger for triathlon racing. The icons are the biggest of the World's sole remaining (for how long?) superpower. After decades of international distaste for America thanks to the Bush Administration, Obama has created a U-Turn in US. And maybe, just maybe, a hotly competitive triathlon winding through and past historic American symbols will be a hit on TV..."


How do editor let drivel like this get past their desks? Connecting Bush's departure with a sudden desire to view ITU racing in the US? Ridiculous. I'm pretty sure there is a lot more interest in any number of sports before people make their way down to triathlon. I was just talking with my son yesterday about sports that are good for spectators and good for participation. Football--great for spectators; bad for the participants. Triathlon--great for participants; yawns for spectators.

Plus, the ITU still doesn't understand the Ironman fixation under which most US triathletes operate. Don't hold your breath for ITU racing to catch on here.
Chad
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [Afleet Alex] [ In reply to ]
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"hungary was chosen b/c that is where worlds is next year and the grand final is where worlds is"

Huh??? There is no more "worlds" for the pros. Hungary was chosen because of Tissy's World Cup history. A record of well run events and becaue Gergaly Marcus is from Hungary.

ITU racing hasn't caught on in the USA, because most athletes (including most of this board) don't think it is "real" triathlon. although for the younger generation, 25 and below, it is not being embraced, and the junior racing has come a long way! That's how it starts, just wait 20 years until all these kids are 30-40 years old. I think the tides will shift again.
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [trimess] [ In reply to ]
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I am one of the few on ST who thinks the ITU racing is better. More honest!!! No rules issues like on drafting that we continue to ignore in the US.
I believe the ITU is a much better race for "real" triathletes since it forces one to learn how to swim!! (And bike and run). And I am an old guy at 52

Dave

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Last edited by: h2ofun: Oct 22, 09 9:12
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [trimess] [ In reply to ]
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In Reply To:

ITU racing hasn't caught on in the USA, because most athletes (including most of this board) don't think it is "real" triathlon. although for the younger generation, 25 and below, it is not being embraced, and the junior racing has come a long way! That's how it starts, just wait 20 years until all these kids are 30-40 years old. I think the tides will shift again.
I am not sure I buy into this. I think most on this board expect a draft free race when they sign up for a non-drafting event. My self included. However, if there was an age group draft legal event, I would sign up for it. Could be fun. There just aren't any to sign up for. Do they have age-group draft legal events in other countries? I don't know.
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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Good for you, welcome to the dark side!
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [trimess] [ In reply to ]
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Huh??? There is no more "worlds" for the pros. Hungary was chosen because of Tissy's World Cup history. A record of well run events and becaue Gergaly Marcus is from Hungary.

He meant age group worlds...the site/date of that was announced long ago.
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [trimess] [ In reply to ]
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I actually think the force is with me.

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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [sdmike] [ In reply to ]
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I agree that non-drafting races should be just that. But most on this board still think that ITU athletes can't bike (although I would have to say this years IMH, and soon to happen Clearwater races, thoroughly disprove this). And that ITU racing is just a glorified 10k.

It would be cool if they had age-group draft legal races. Although I am not sure how interesting they would be, as the variance in age group swimming skill is HUGE!! I have been pushing USAT to do them for years. I think the Talent ID race they have done the last two years (the day before Elite nationals) is at least a small step in the right direction.

I had a friend who went to race for an Italian league (yes they have Pro Triathlon leagues in Europe). They also had age group races with the pro series races. And he said they were all draft legal. And most of the age groupers had never heard of non-drafting triathlon. Bike riding is bike riding to them. Why would you not draft? I think this is where some of the problems at World Age Group champs. comes from.
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [trimess] [ In reply to ]
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re: the DC race being "attended by fans"

I watched the men and women and didn't think there were many spectators, unfortunately. It seemed like the only ones watching were me, Paulo Sousa, volunteers, some racers from earlier in the day and random tourists who paused as they were crossing the street to go to the art museum.


Lauren and Lindsey: The Slog
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [Purse] [ In reply to ]
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That's just because you were with Paulo and therefore everyone else was trying to stay far away....
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [Purse] [ In reply to ]
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I didn't say incredibly well attended by fans.

To be fair, Sunday morning is not the most opportune time for spectation. Especially in a downtown area, where there are not many people that live.

I wasn't there though, so only going on the word of a friend.
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [trimess] [ In reply to ]
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I think the cloudy/misty weather also had something to do with spectator turn out as well.
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [trimess] [ In reply to ]
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Hey, like anywhere, Seoul can have good and bad days. I've been there when the air quality was no different than in the Rocky Mountains.
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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ITU racing in the US is on it's deathbed. Want proof? Check out how many of the US ITU pro's are now doing the IM 70.3 series instead of the ITU WCS series. Bennet, Potts, etc.

A lot of pro's are just staying in the states to win 70.3 prize purses than spend time and money traveling abroad for an ITU race.
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [Deus ex Machina] [ In reply to ]
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Who cares? World wide, ITU is way more popular.

Dave

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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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Well, we are talking on a thread about a US city not participating in the ITU WCS. I wouldn't have mentioned it if it was about a European, Asian, or Australian cup.
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [Deus ex Machina] [ In reply to ]
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So are you referring to Laura or Greg? Because Greg (while residing in the US part time), is not a US ITU Pro. And Laura raced mostly ITU this year.

US ITU Pros to which you refer, are mostly older guys who have moved up to the longer distance. It is pretty clear that Andy is no longer currently focused on ITU, and Matt Ree has raced all kinds of races for years now (never focusing solely on ITU, with 2008 being a bit of exception). This is a pretty normal progression, athletes slows down a little as they get older and move to the longer distance. Also there is usually more money in Long course racing than ITU (given the right type of athlete). And since it is a post Olympic year, there was not as much focus on ITU racing by some of the US athletes.

This is like saying since Alexander and McCormack (both former Australian ITU pros) now exclusively do long course, that ITU is dead in Australia?

Jarrod was far and away our best ITU guy this year, and I haven't seen him racing 70.3.

It is kind of a chicken and egg scenario. We need more high profile ITU races in the US to get more media interest. But without the media interest it is hard to get the races in the first place. I thought DC, with it's NBC "real" coverage was a great start, same thing with HyVee. Would be nice if there were some multiyear commitments though, and not just one-off flash in the pan type races, which sadly have been the majority of ITU events in the US the last 10 years (HyVee being an exception, and the athletes are appreciative of it).
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [Deus ex Machina] [ In reply to ]
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True, especially if you have no idea what you are talking about.
Bennett = US, Duuurrrp.
Potts hasn't been racing ITU for a bit now (2 years), well rather on and off
Reed seems to focus only on non-drafting (except for the olympic year)

The saying goes, when you can't go fast (ITU), go long (70.3+)
Last edited by: Jagerstar: Oct 23, 09 10:20
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [Jagerstar] [ In reply to ]
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It is disappointing to not have an american world cup super series race this year in the americas, but that is how it rolls for 2010. but i would far from say that the USA athletes (those that race for the USA) are not present on the world cup stage. Granted it was the post olympic year myself wanted to concentrate on some other races, given the pre olympic world cup run i had to do to earn the points for the third spot. so to say we are drifting from ITU racing is not totally accurate. Jarrod (known as J-Rod) did us as a team very proud this year on the ITU circuit. and 2010 is a new year with new goals for all of us athletes. Sure it is no secret I love to race in america and win in america. But I personally know the penalty if we as USA athletes do not stay "in the ITU game" when the olympics come around... the points system.

So i really dont see the negativity toward the ITU series schedule for 2010. Many of us athletes are ITU born- bennett, gemmel, docherty, rahlert, whitfield, macca, crowie, etc. - we all find our path. but one thing is certain, we all owe the ITU our starts of our career and many passport stamps and some amazing world wide experiences. Us as the athletes that race for america, the ones with the USA on our suits, we are happy to support the ITU and the growth it is bringing to triathlon. Please dont take others comments as being from the USA athletes. it is a bummer we cant race a world cup on american soil, sure. but the super series is still a really cool thing and a big step for our sport.

okay so USA we, the USA athletes will be around. dont you worry. we are not going anywhere. trust me.

Big Matty Reed- OUT.
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [cdw] [ In reply to ]
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Oh Please Chad!

I was mocking Mr. Carlson's gratuitous, ridiculous, poorly written political jab. Was the font not pink enough?
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [greg'n] [ In reply to ]
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The next time the ITU comes close to town, take the time out of your training and go watch. Take someone who's not a triathlete and has never seen a triathlon.
One visit to an ITU race in Europe will tell you why in part the US does not have one next year. Crowds at the races in Europe are huge. Regular ITU video of US events shows finish line stands empty. For TV, Sponsorship and more that doesn't work.

Dave Jewell
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [SDJ] [ In reply to ]
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I remember being in Germany 2 years ago. The crowds were amazing. Media everywhere, on the ground, in the air. Live TV coverage.
Was so much more exciting than anything I have seen in the US.

Dave

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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [h2ofun] [ In reply to ]
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Was so much more exciting than anything I have seen in the US.

Dave, as much as I despise "sports" like NASCAR, if I were a sponsor I would go with the traditional sports where there are actual fans. US fans are never going to be like the rest of the world or Europe. Americans have always invented sports and done their own thing. Crowds like Europe for triathlon will not happen in the US. As a triathlete, I know a few ITU guys and a few more non-drafting folks, but know ten times as many football names. I would not choose watching a tri over a footbal game.
Chad
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Re: DC left off WCS by ITU [cdw] [ In reply to ]
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I can't argue with your point and that's why part of the reason the ITU goes where the people are. It's why Tyson Gay can walk through any airport in the US and just be another guy. Buy he walks into any airport in Europe and he will get mobbed by fans. Same for Haile and Blanca.
Can't help myself. Living in Europe was totally cool.

Dave Jewell
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