There's 20 drivers on the grid that are all at world class skill level comparably, at least prior to Mazepin buying his way in this year. There's hundreds of pro triathletes with a wide range of skill level and outside Kona they rarely show up at the same race.

There's a reason Drive to Survive has worked so well and it would not translate to triathlon.

I love DTS and watch it on the trainer. And like you, I am not an F1 fan, so I got hooked with no prior exposure.

I do not think a triathlon version would work. But, I would absolutely love to a see a version around the major pro cycling teams. There is huge drama within and between teams, so that could play well (albeit to a much smaller audience).

Now that you say this, the Netflix show about the Movistar team is phenomenal so maybe triathlon could follow that route. Although I think being a non team sport it would still be difficult because it's such a different dynamic.

Agreed, I have enjoyed watching it. I hope more teams allow it.

TO the OP,
I wish there was some type of series that was done by IM where the athletes accrued points by doing different races throughout the year. Maybe even two years worth. I think it would be great to see them do different types of courses and get awarded points based on their placings. Then maybe have the top 10 or 20 athletes (male and female) go head to head. While I think the Kona conditions can be challenging, I don't necessarily think the best triathlete of the year (performance wise) always wins it.

I know this will never happen, but it would be great to see. And even mix up the distances from 70.3 to 140.6

how long have you been in triathlon? and, generally, if you don't mind me asking, what is your age category?

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

Count me in with the group that enjoys the F1 DTS and Movistar shows (minus the subtitles), but echoing what others have said, it would have to be a very different show. Sadly, long course triathlon races in 95% of cases are extremely boring, even for triathletes, let alone laypeople. There aren't many premier races, yadda yadda.

If I were to make a show, it would be a year following e.g. 5 pro triathletes that agree to do a bunch of races together. You'd have the old veterans, the champion, and the up and comer youth. Maybe some age groupers too. The show would focus on the athletes, the training, the coaching relationships, the testing, the equipment, and gin up some TV storylines. Throw in some sweet aerial drone and FPV shots on bikes, it could be entertaining. Basically try to 180 from typical triathlon coverage. Some mix of: Movistar, That Triathlon Life, Icarus, Lance Armstrong flicks

i guess i'm just struck by what triathlon "has to do" to "survive." because, i did ironman at the age of 23. i'm now 64. i've heard about what triathlon needs to do to survive for about the last 30 years. it seems to me that triathlon has survived.

you know what's boring to me? watching a surf competition on the TV. that's probably why you almost never see it on the TV. does surfing need to do something different in order to survive?

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

So basically Lionel needs a Netflix show.

Well that's a good start.
Because 100% of F1 races are pish boring. It's like watching swimmers at a municiple pool since covid... now overtaking allowed.

I think you're conflating the name of the F1 show with what the OP meant about a triathlon show. The F1 show is named "Drive to Survive" (DTS) because a key part of the show is that the competition in F1 for drivers to keep their seats is so fierce, and the economics for some teams so fragile, that everyone is in a "drive to survive." I don't think OP was implying that triathlon needs such a show to survive, anymore than F1 needs DTS to survive. That said, DTS definitely brought a lot of new fans to F1 so, perhaps, such a show would bring new fans to triathlon. Honestly, I'm not sure such a show could really be done about Ironman for reasons others have already mentioned. WTS though....

Are there any American F1 teams?

ah. okay. so it was a play on words? double entendre? i guess i'm just not aware enough to have gotten it. mine was a face value reaction to the thread title.

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

I'm the same, discovered DTS chilling in the hotel the day before Oceanside 2018. Now I watch the practices (well it's just on but I enjoy the banter) and Qualifying. Races are IMO pretty boring with a few exceptions.

I'm in agreement with the others though that it would be a very different type of show and not sure I'd watch it even though I actually do tris. One huge reason is the testosterone and potential for serious crashes, and DTS' great sound team (ever listened in headphones? it's amazing). DTS also does a good job humanizing the drivers. I wouldn't mind seeing some behind the scenes stuff but long course tri is just largely boring to watch.

Rideon77 wrote:

Are there any American F1 teams?

https://www.haasf1team.com/


Although from what I have seen that may be coming to an end soon.

I am an F1 fan and have watched the Netflix series. It has raised my interest level back as the series had gotten pretty boring over the last 3-4 years.

I do agree that a series on professional triathletes would be good for the sport.

My "hobby" prior to endurance sports was sports car racing. There a multiple great series worldwide with amazing drivers. What has been missed for years is the opportunity for fans to become familiar with the drivers. Nascar executed this model flawlessly during their growth years as has the NBA with their promotion of their stars.

Does this "fix all of triathlons issues"? I don't know but making it more interesting with the personalities can only help.

I did my first tri at 21 and am 34 now. I have done around 50 tri's of all distances.

Perhaps I should have titled my post 'I Wish Triathlon had a Show like F1 Drive to Survive'. I'll rename the post. I'm not saying triathlon is going to die or anything like that. I think it would be exciting to watch and could get more people into the sport. I have heard many athletes mention they started doing tris after watching coverage of Kona.

I like that show as well, and was pleasantly surprised they have a Season 2, because the disfunction of Movistar is there for all to see, I just can't fathom they think this is flattering the team. But I'm happy they keep making them.

I've been an F1 follower for many years, the paid drivers have always been part of the grid. Mazepin is exceptional only in how bad he truly is. Lance Stroll before him was no better when he first came in.

F1 is a massive production worth billions with its own media. They have captured lightning in a bottle with that show and do an outstanding job putting it together. The professionalism of some of the top teams could only be compared two one or two European triathletes. Talbot Cox is on to something with his race series. If he could expand it to include more of the top contenders and other races that do not include his gravy train it would serve the itch that the small niche has for behind the scenes leading up to a race.The lead up is I think more interesting that a season review and he is doing a decent job of putting out the videos in the days prior to the race. The build up to 70.3 and Kona could be huge if he preps for it correctly.

The show would probably be more suited to ITU than long course.

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Let food be thy medicine...

Will love to see someone fock smash the door when things didn't go his way.

I’m like a lot of people here—never been a motor sports fan, but got hooked on the show, and now follow F1 actively.

It reminds me of some of the great HBO documentary series: Hard Knocks, the boxing lead-up series, the road to the Winter Classic, etc. Didn’t matter whether HBO was doing football, boxing or hockey—really good production could make anything compelling.

F1 might be best suited for this, because the footage of the cars racing is so compelling, but the personal narratives ultimately are what drives it.

Long way of saying a really well done Road to Kona could be awesome.

As an aside, the annual IM hour long recap of Kona pretty much always disappoints. Too much time wasted on the human interest stories. You could story board that show every year exactly the same way—it hits the same notes every time.

we have lots in the pipeline planed. :) Just wait

It's coming! The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has commissioned the award winning Sport documentary specialist Noah Media Group to create a documentary called Beyond Human - a long-form documentary following the lives of PTO Professional athletes as they prepare and target selection for the inaugural Collins Cup to be held in Samorin, Slovakia. The story begins with Lionel Sanders (CAN), Sebastien Kienle (GER) and Heather Jackson (USA) giving the Noah production team unfiltered access to their training and personal lives after challenging year culminating with PTO 2020 Championship at CHALLENGEDAYTONA®. The film will lift the lid on what it takes to be the very best in one of the toughest sports on the planet. Read more info here...


https://protriathletes.org/professional-triathletes-organisation-announces-partnership-with-noah-media-group/