Just got back from IM Oz. Great race, even though the water was too warm for wetsuits (got a good deal on a new Ironman stealth wetsuit before the race, jinxed myself). New respect for Australian triathletes -- those guys and gals down there can motor right along. The entire "tri culture" down under seems just a little bit more "advanced" than in the States -- I think it might have something to dow with all of the local tri clubs and their regional competitions and the increased youth participation in sports in general. Aussies really know their sport and how to put the hammer down.
But the best aspect of triathlon down there is the overall fun and friendliness that Australian athletes display -- simply outstanding. And the best memory I'll have is stumbling on the Tri-travel bus at 0600 Tuesday morning after the race for the haul back down to Sydney and seeing (after blinking hard a couple of times) Chris McCormack and Chris Legh walking around the run course with bottles in their hands (water, I'm sure) dressed in the same clothes they had on the previous night at the awards banquet! Macca had said in his acceptance speech that he was going to buy everyone a beer that night and evidently he tried very hard to do just that... Race hard, party harder. Must have been trained by the legendary Greg Welsh in that regard. And for all of the Macca fans ought there, he gave a very humble, humorous, eloquent speech after getting his award. It's also obvious that he is a very popular athlete down there.
FIST Certified Fitter
Salt Lake City, Utah
But the best aspect of triathlon down there is the overall fun and friendliness that Australian athletes display -- simply outstanding. And the best memory I'll have is stumbling on the Tri-travel bus at 0600 Tuesday morning after the race for the haul back down to Sydney and seeing (after blinking hard a couple of times) Chris McCormack and Chris Legh walking around the run course with bottles in their hands (water, I'm sure) dressed in the same clothes they had on the previous night at the awards banquet! Macca had said in his acceptance speech that he was going to buy everyone a beer that night and evidently he tried very hard to do just that... Race hard, party harder. Must have been trained by the legendary Greg Welsh in that regard. And for all of the Macca fans ought there, he gave a very humble, humorous, eloquent speech after getting his award. It's also obvious that he is a very popular athlete down there.
FIST Certified Fitter
Salt Lake City, Utah