Going through the various posts on this topic, I found this was the best explanation floating around ST yesterday by cowardlydragon. Let’s keep in mind that 12x finishes only gives you better access, but still does not neccessarily get you in!
Oct 10, 11 22:08
Post #69 of 75 (169 views)
**Re: WTC is going to regret their new Kona qualifying policy **In reply to] **Quote | Reply **
You do 12 ironmans, that is some dues being paid, not just to the WTC coffers, but to the sport.
Look, VO2 max is highly inherited. If someone does 12 ironmans and doesn’t sniff qualification, well, they probably got screwed in the genetics department.
But you have to respect the effort and desire.
I think this is a golden way to keep the number of IM Hawaii noobs down. I’m not going to Hawaii unless I qualify, and in my opinion someone who does Kona out of the lottery rather than earning a slot, and haven’t ever done one or have only done one or two, really shouldn’t be going.
But if you’ve done 12? You’ve earned your trip. I don’t think that diminishes the race, it enhances it. If some of the lottery wannabes are replaced with veterans, then that’s much better. Much much much better. I think lottery qualifiers would be a dead, uncomfortable conversation, but a 12x irondistance finisher always has fun war stories. Probably at least 12 of them.
Nevertheless, it only means that we’ll have a 1% rather than a less than 1% chance of earning a trip… Qualifying outright might still have better odds…
I agree with the general concept of some for of reward for those most loyal “customers” - not sure why people get so worked up about this. This happens in just about all other businesses. In fact, this should have gone on a while ago. There is ZERO recognition at all, other than the stand-up-sit-down routine that they do at some of the IM pre-dinner banquets for multiple time finishers. Some of these people have paid a lot of money to do various IM races around the world, it is right that this offer and opportunity is extended to them.
For those that qualify now, I suspect the chances of getting a slot are quite high since I suspect that are not too many people that are eligible. The problem will come in a few years as people make this their goal and so the number with 12+ finishes increases.
That sounds like it has achieved a potential goal (customer loyalty) during a period of increased competition and decreased household budgets…
It looks like a win for WTC (increased repeat customers) and a win for those of us who enjoy racing each year (better odds of returning to Kona).
For those who don’t want to enter via the lottery… Don’t.
Personally, I’ll be dropping a lottery request based upon this program (assuming 12 x starts qualifies… Only 11 finishes… But, as Dev mentioned, I’ll have plenty of stories:-).