Canuck1 wrote:
I admit I have followed this forum for a long time. I find a lot of your views interesting but a notable bias when it comes to “Ironman” in general.
I appreciate that we won’t ageee on kona based on what has already been stated. Shame really - A big part of my life and memories in past 15 years with family friends etc have been a result of the kona pursuit.
I don’t think that exists without it being Kona. For example if it was Arizona would most try, care or give a sh@t aa much ?
Park the World Champ title / I think without that kona would still draw the same crowd. Just like Wimbledon
So I think the thing is, there really are 2 different issues. One, I think for professionals, your sport needs to have variety with WC locations. But being that this is a private company and the epicenter of all things triathlon, Kona is easy. Everyone now has their Kona trips down pat as far as companies/athletes, etc. So to shake it up, that likely disrupts the apple cart a little too much.
Do I think people would give less shit if they moved? Hell no, because most people will fall in line. That's human nature...sure we'd bitch about it, and we'd cry about how it sucks, but you know what would happen? Said race would still fill up, I'll put any wager you want to make on that (if it ever happens, I'll be here, you'll know where to find me).
I'm also not saying not have Kona. I'm simply suggesting at some point I would like to see it moved atleast for the professionals, but of course if it's moved; the whole race will be a WC for everyone. I've just been of the mindset that when you have your world championship at the same location, you limit the players who can actually win. Or shall I say you pretty much define who can't win...if you suck at heat/wind, etc you have no shot.
Triathlon to me is very unique in that atleast for LC, the leader of the sport is an private company, not an governing body. I don't know how many sports that is truly the case, where governing bodies essential bow to a private company. That's how powerful it is, and not saying that's bad. I'm just saying that when they have a gravy train like Kona, they have zero incentive to move it. But that's a different discussion than the "fairness" of having WC at same location every year (which is what I was mentioning earlier).
Sorry for long ramble.
Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II