Not only that, consider that the nature of the rolling start is likely to make this madness worse. Self seeding athletes who swim well are more likely to start before people who are slower swimmers and riders, then those FOP swimmers can very often ride fast...you get it. Massive congestion, probably mass drafting, and really dangerous passing starting very early in the race. The fastest athletes will be hitting the slowest athletes just as those slowest, least experienced riders are starting their ride.

These other issues with the rumble strips and some cones on the major expressway are just going to make everything even harder and more dangerous

I have been known to go outside the cones to pass when left with no other option but to sit back there slowed to 18 mph screaming at some of these people. I'm not sorry about that either because I'm there to race. Of course experienced athletes are going to do everything they can to not hit someone, but it's not that black and white. The object of the game is to get from T2 to T3 as fast as possible and there are going to be some choices to make in terms of how much you are willing to risk laying your bike down on the expressway by trying to bunny hop some rumble strip while passing someone who is swerving and eating a sandwich.

And the numbers don't lie -- this three loop structure is a problem. I honestly think it's borderline negligent and I would be shocked if no one is badly hurt. Then if there is a fatality on account of this nonsense I guess the family of the deceased is shit out of luck because of that waiver we are compelled to sign at registration.

I don't even think its just a problem for the front of the pack guys. I'm fully expecting to lap people, and I'm a middle of the pack swimmer with a half decent bike.

My other concern is the confusing layout. There's invariably someone who's going to "miss a loop" - All I can say is that there better be timing mats at both ends.

He's marketing the bike course as 99% closed which anyone who has raced there before knows is most likely a blatant lie. If someone gets hurt on the expressway or worse I'd think they'd still be able to sue.

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"I think I've cracked the code. double letters are cheaters except for perfect squares (a, d, i, p and y). So Leddy isn't a cheater... "

Late night we all got an email from the race director with information for the race. I noticed that it said there were 30 slots to Worlds. I confirmed on the Ironman web site that it also said 30. I could have swore that for the last year everything I've seen about this race said it had 50 slots. I send and email to the race director, after pretending not to understand my question for 2 email exchanges they finally admitted that it has been advertised as 50 for the 12 months leading up to the event this weekend.

This is classic bait and switch. First it was a 1 loop bike course that turned into 2.5. Now its 30 slots instead of 50.

Here is the WayBack Machine snapshot from January 2017 and June 2017. So it said 50 as recently as June. I'd be pissed if I was looking for a slot too.

Race fast in the historic shore resort of Atlantic City, a flat and scenic course through vineyards, state forests and on the iconic Boardwalk, with sun, sand, casinos and amusements for the entire family.
The easily accessible, historic seaside resort of Atlantic City is home to world-class sports, cultural and entertainment events. With its world-famous Boardwalk, luxury hotels and stunning beaches, athletes, friends and family can expect to experience the best of what Absecon Island has to offer including casinos, shopping, dining, and entertainment against a stunning backdrop of sea, sun, and sand.
The race begins at sunrise with a 1.2-mile sheltered swim in the beautiful back bays of Atlantic City. Framed by the Atlantic City skyline, spectators may view the entire swim course from the shore. The single-loop bike course is 56 flat and fast miles through vineyards, state forests, riverside towns, and a portion of the Atlantic City Expressway, which athletes will ride without traffic (and toll-free!). Finally, the 13.1-mile run course features striking views of the Atlantic Ocean on the world-famous Atlantic City Boardwalk, a one-of-a-kind race experience for both athletes and spectators.
IRONMAN 70.3 Atlantic City offers 50 qualifying slots for the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.
Race this flat and fast course through the Classic Jersey Shore resort of Atlantic City and it's surrounding communities. Athletes will love the 99% closed bike course and run on the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk, with sun, sand, casinos and amusements for the entire family.
The easily accessible, historic seaside resort of Atlantic City is home to world-class sports, cultural and entertainment events. With its world-famous Boardwalk, luxury hotels and stunning beaches, athletes, friends and family can expect to experience the best of what Absecon Island has to offer including casinos, shopping, dining, and entertainment against a stunning backdrop of sea, sun, and sand.
The race begins at sunrise with a 1.2-mile sheltered swim in the beautiful back bays of Atlantic City. Framed by the Atlantic City skyline, spectators may view the entire swim course from the shore. This 2.5x loop bike course will be 99% closed to vehicular traffic and will take athletes INTO Atlantic City via the Atlantic City Expressway, which athletes will ride toll-free! Finally, the 13.1-mile run course features striking views of the Atlantic Ocean on the world-famous Atlantic City Boardwalk, a one-of-a-kind race experience for both athletes and spectators.
IRONMAN 70.3 Atlantic City offers 50 qualifying slots for the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

Thanks. I knew I wasn't crazy! Is this common place? Meaning, changing the number of slots this close to the event? It wasn't the primary factor, but the 50 slots was definitely one of the deciding factors for making this my end of season race. I really thought with an extra slot in my age group I might be able to get one.

I am also disappointed in the new bike course and now only offering 30 slots to Worlds. One of the reasons I signed up was due to the originally offered 50 slots. The 50 slots was referenced on both the Ironman and Delmosports sites. Is it even worth bring it to the attention to Ironman/WTC? The local race director will have no say, but would be curious what Ironman/WTC would reply with?

All the emails for the event over the last 12 months come from DelmoSport. Why let him off the hook so easily? He is our interface to WTC. He should explain. This is not a race director that functions behind the scenes like some I know. He goes out of the way to make himself the face of this race. Constantly posting videos of himself on Facebook. Constantly posting about how he lives for just one thing, to put on the best races on the east coast. You can't have it both ways. He should explain what the story is.

We could ask at the athlete briefings where he would have to explain it in front of everyone. I'm not sure what that would accomplish though other than putting him through it.

I'd like to pretend that the extra 20 slots gave me a realistic shot, but not really... if I was on the bubble I'd be mad.

It is what it is though. The best thing to do is probably write an honest review once everything is said and done, the good and the bad.

I am not trying to let him off the hook. I am not one of the super fans of the RD and thinks he walks on water. I just know at times he goes "It is what it is" and throws his hands up. Also, the RD is going to be busy this week making sure everything is setup, so I doubt he will be on the phone with WTC speaking about how people have emailed him about the change in available slots.

You don't think it's possible that he's reading this? Or that someone on his staff or someone he knows involved with triathlon is reading this and telling him? He ought to come on SlowTwitch and explain right here.

I'd post your question on the Atlantic City 70.3 Facebook page. I've seen lots of questions answered there. I'm curious for the response. I'd be surprised if it was the RD's idea to have less slots then originally advertised.

Trying to get caught up on everything...

everybody is going to die.
nobody is going to worlds.
next week we can talk about whether people soft-pedaled and waited for the casino bus to blow by to catch a draft on the expressway.

...anything else? Looking forward to racing. weather looks good (at least as of now).

So what? We're not allowed to discuss this? You're above it all? I think you missed telling us these are first world problems and to get over it.

geez.

I've been through multiple Delmo races and athlete meetings. He will answer questions. However, having no inside knowledge at all, I doubt this was something that was a typo and I assume thought went into this so I doubt yelling and screaming at this point will change it.

Yes, I think there should be an explanation and I ding Delmo for not being more upfront.

From an athlete's mental perspective, if I was doing this race, the last thing I'd be thinking about and spending energy on now is this. I know people could be pissed, and bait and switch, etc. But, if you are going to race, you need to get in race mode. If you miss by 1 spot, get pissed. Until then, focus on your race.

If you had a shot at a spot you need to race for it now. I guarantee if you keep the "what if" thoughts in your mind, when you hit the pain on the ACX or at mile 9 on the run, you'll commence an unrecoverable pity party.

Don't beat yourself before you hit the line.

What is the prize purse on this race?

Looks like one of us here may have posted on the Facebook page. So far no response from RD, and I'm not holding my breath that he's going to address it. Probably hoping the issue will just go away.

Someone posted on the question on the Facebook page, saying they had emailed Delmo. The response they got was Ironman had confirmed to them it was 30 slots, not 50. I'm sure it will come up at the briefing though... whether by them getting out in front or someone asking.

I'm betting that with the location of World's, it'll probably roll more spots than it did for Chattanooga... so who knows how many people or how deep in the field it will have an impact on.

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I talk to myself because mine are the only answers I'll accept - George Carlin

The possibility of a deeper roll down is what makes the extra slots all that much more important. For example...if someone is only 33% likely to accept a slot to South Africa that means that a 5-7th place finish with 50 slots is just as good as a 2-4th place finish in a race with only 30 spots.

Has there been anything in these Facebook videos about the water temperature?

71.8 degrees as of twenty minutes ago. Probably the same race day given the temps the next few days.

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I talk to myself because mine are the only answers I'll accept - George Carlin

Thank you.

Don't go off Ocean temp, it's a bit different in the bay. Here's a link to the bay temperature to see it as we get closer.

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/...in_date&end_date

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I talk to myself because mine are the only answers I'll accept - George Carlin

Looks like its between 71-73 degrees in the bay -- with temps not going above 78 high over next few days I cant imagine a non-wetsuit swim