My point is, I disagree with people's suggestion that pros are easily quitting races to ensure they are fresh for another race in order for them to podium and make money. If their main priority is making money from racing, then racing Kona is nonsensical for a lot of the guys that are not going to make the top 10. If they have little chance of getting in the prize money, care little about the World Champs then don't go to Hawaii. Save your money, choose luvrative races like Phuket. Perhaps in Thailand the top pros get the 5 star treatment, but that's not every race. Most Ironman races they would be lucky to get a free bumper sticker. Apart from the top guys, most pros are penniless.

So out of the 29 races I listed that are races where pro's can earn money and/or a chance at Kona qualifying or a regional championship title you decide to pick the ONE race that I added expressly saying that when Kona USED TO BE the last race of the season it was the thing at the time for athletes to come over to Thailand for an end of year party.

OK forget Phuket then, it's a bad example and you're missing my point!

If they have little chance of getting in the prize money, care little about the World Champs then don't go to Hawaii.

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The issue is, Kona is a hot bed for networking / sponsorship for pros. And I'm guessing the reality is that these behind the scenes supporters of the pro's, they really don't care if they DNF. Cus the reality is you fans likely don't care either. Sure you think it's a bad look, but are you making different product choices because of it? I doubt it. It's just more of an emotional reaction than anything.




I remember listening to some nfl player talk about an fan interaction. They lost the nfl game that day and then fans saw the same players at the club/bar that night....."why are you here, shouldn't you be upset".....The NFL player basically laughed at the notion that he couldn't have a life outside of the game, etc. The truth is likely "fans" are more actually emotional invested in the actual result. At the end of the day the athlete can make a black and white decision and be fine with it, but fans likely have more "emotional" sentiment attached to it.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

Yea Lange was going hard then all of a sudden he stops. He was getting dropped and His D train was done too.

Easier to drop and save face than get beat like you stole something.

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http://www.TriScottsdale.org

Jan walked 26miles, a lot of it with shit in his pants.

That’s really all you need to know. He’s a Pro, and the GOAT

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http://www.TriScottsdale.org

I actually think that it’s good for her to have had her time and not attend any celebrations if not ready. Somewhere I read that Sarah has had depression issues in the past and with the two heat issues she had this year I can see how bummed she could have been. Really hoping for a good recovery for such a fun person (her interview with Bob pre race was great).

Didn't you read the first few posts? Age group athletes shitting on pros for not completing the race because they (wrongly I might add) think it is a bad ass achievement to complete an ironman is what brought the "finish or die" discussion up. Monty then did a pretty good job on explaining why injuries aren't the only legit reason for quitting. Since you still don't get it: imagine you are a pro hoping to finish in the top 5. Your sponsors are thrilled that you have made it to the WC and they dream of seeing you - and thus themselves - on the podium or at least at the press conference. Then you get on the bike and your legs don't respond. You can't even push 30 watts under your target power and you're going backwards through the field. Sure you can continue the race and "honor the sport" and complete in 35th. But for what? So that you're fans can think you are a bad ass and not "stop respecting you"? Will that respect pay your bills? What happens to your market value? Negotiating with sponsors thinking you're a top 5 candidate at worlds will probably put you in a better position than having them believe you're a 35th guy. And what about your mental state ahead of next race in Kona?

"But Jan and Daniella finished...."

News flash: they are in a wee bit better position than most when it comes to sponsors. Bahrain, Asics and Mercedes (and Tag Heuer/Rolex) are already onboard. Admirable when people choose to gut it out but let people trying to make a living out of it make their own decisions without taking cheap shots