Scotthb wrote:
Race director (race is HIS BABY) spoke about it and didn't sound very confident. As always, comes down to $$$ or NOK in this case. Apparently he gets very little help from the town and the region. His last hope is funding from Oslo in some way. Might already be too late though. Truly a shame. Haugesund is now home to the biggest tri club in all of Norway. Has done wonders for getting people off their couch and embracing a healthier lifestyle.
I also should add that the race organization was stellar. NO CARS ON THE ROAD. Not one! Volunteers at every intersection and ahead of every dangerous curve made even more dangerous by the wet/puddling surface. On top of that much of it was spent standing under torrential rain on what was a cold and miserable day on the bike. Kudos.
I certainly don't know what the cost/benefit metrics are for the town and the region. You always have to give to get.
I do know that they got close to $3000 of my hard earned money that they wouldn't have gotten without IM Haugesund.
And when I went back on Wednesday after the race to pick up my bike after touring Stavanger and Bergen I can tell you the place was dead...
Wow, I'll really be sad if WTC cancels this race. While the temps are appealing, the area looks and sounds so amazing to us. And we would spend a few days there after the race before returning home.
Am I naïve to think that if a bunch of us emailed WTC and expressed our sincere interest it would help? I know there are thousands of us on this forum. I wonder if a different race date would work better? IM Frankfurt and IM France were on the same day or weekend. Gosh I really want to sign up more than ever now!
Congrats on your race Scott! Well done. You'll get your KQ. I'm still chasing mine too. We just have to keep showing up :-)
Death is easy....peaceful. Life is harder.