I sorta get he is in a phase of his career where he is probably “bored” and right now the results sorta “don’t matter” post Olympics other than just it going on your resume so to speak. So if you can get paid to race, go get yours young man. From an entertainment standpoint he’s got the ability to make it fun to see if he can run the front down, even better version of West. But that bike has to be there.
Also think, besides silvers in successive Olympics, his presence in the T100 field balances the USA (an important market) interest. We’ll have Pearson in the FP, and being dropped on the bike, will Long catch him 3 minutes (probably), how much start does Long need to stay ahead of Pearson (albeit in the 6-12 placings)? I just hope West brings the 2023 version of himself to round out the USA team.
The 81 includes a 5% bonus (applied to best result of three scores).
So actual score is 77 (see race result list)
SOF - 70; win = 80 (silver tier),
Was about 1% better than average of top 5 so race score of ~75+6=81
80x0.4+70x0.3+81x0.3=(about)77
HTH (all mental bro maths)
The crazy thing is that being a “complete” athlete is now more and more the requirement. Such that running through the field after key weaknesses isn’t basically achievable any longer. That’s sorta the puzzle piece you have to solve. Which Pearson is generally a better swimmer so can he limit the loses better to then “run through the field”? His bike though is just suddenly become a real issue which then affects that great run. So will it suddenly be solved? Can you pop a W in a weaker field? Will be fun to watch this year.
I was listening to PTO and I agree w Pat on one of his takes. I think a 6-7 T100 race schedule would allow for the best quality product.