I understand your shock and I do try to follow triathlon but with ITU being the best (ducks for cover) then also following IM and 1/2 IM there are a lot of 2nd/3rd tier races that are won by athletes who aren't going to make an impact at a championship race. Lets not focus on one athlete for a second and talk about Tim Don. Who has had a very successful ITU career he has also won a number of 70.3s this year but I think came 2nd in a race to Jan when good competitive turned up to play? Without that result would anybody be picking him for a podium. Actually Tim is another championship you can pull something special out on the day.

For me the best championship racer was Simon Whitfield. He wins at Sydney, Manchester and a silver in Beijing (which was really against the form he had shown that year) were amazing. It would be great to see him back and he certainly isn't too old yet.

x2....would love to see him on the 70.3 circuit. Definitely not too old!

That Beijing race was his greatest IMO
To see him latch back on after being dropped halfway through the run is something I will never forget. Race went off live here in Canada late in the evening and my exact words to Ms Shady when he was dropped were . ..'that's it . he's done'....haha...she has never let me forget that!
We saw him in the pedestrian village couple weeks ago during IMMT (so maybe he is contemplating a come back:) We would all love to see it but doubt it will happen. He appears to enjoy SUP too much these days :)


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I was coming back from the groceries at 5:30pm from 117 and saw Sebi pushing hard an aero climbing back on Montée Ryan... Wondering if I took easy today during my ride!

Guess some Pro train hard until last minute! I think Sebastian knows what he's doing! Two time 70.3 world champion.

Side note, Whitfield did race on a team with edmonton oilers defenceman Andrew Ferrence (bike) and head coach Dallas Eakens (run) not sure of the times but they won!!

Funny to hear about triathlon on NHL radio, I guess the coach is a bit of a fitness nut who bike commutes through Edmonton winters! Funny photo out there of Ferrence giving Oilers jersey's to Gomez, Brownlee and Jorgenson.

Maurice

Anyone know what the coverage will be like? On IM website

Sanders only raced in North America, not known in Europe. Just like Boris Stein is not yet known in the US, and they rate him quite low for this race, but they could be in for a surprise (which would not be such a surprise if you followed his season).

Gomez
Frodeno
Don

Hauschildt
Fredrickson
Luxford

Gomez, Frodeno, Don

Ryf, Hauschildt, Vodickova

What made you change the course? Just more spectator friendly at 2 loops?

I liked that the trail was paved for Ironman, I think that and conditions def made it faster than years past.

As for my picks

1. Frodo
2. Gomez
3. Kienle
4. Saunders ( I think he will be too far down on the swim and the top guys run form is too good for him to catch)
5. Don

4 out of 6. And both winners.

Anyone who didn't pick Ryf hasn't been paying attention...
She'll win Kona next.