I coach a few XC athletes and my experience with them is different to what people think:
- The ones I know are actually pretty good athletes. One of mine previously KQ'd in the regular fashion. One of my good friends got top 10 in his AG in Kona around 10 years ago, now he runs a successful company and will be competing in XC next year with the goal of racing Kona again (well, in 2024 now I guess).
- They till need to qualify, it's not an automatic entry into Kona. From what I recall in my athletes' most recent XC KQ, there were 4 slots: 2 male, 2 female, one each for under 40 and another for over 40 (not sure of actual age but something like that).
- The level of life stress these people have is another level (at least compared to me, and I have a full time job, 2 kids, and train 20+ hours per week. Theirs is next level by comparison)
- Most of their reason for competing in the XC program is not because they want to KQ, it's because they get an elevated level of service (in addition to what is described in the article, they also have their own awards ceremony and their own athlete briefing). They are so time-starved and juggling multiple responsibilities, why not make race week as simple and streamlined as possible.
- Look at how their peers in the business world spend their money. My most recent Kona athlete could buy a Bugatti Veyron if so desired, but instead they buy a pretty sweet custom Dimond Mogul and flies their family and friends to Kona for VIP race day treatment. A great way to spend a Thursday!
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