Just curious. Who’s going?
Still no info on the web site for the competitors list. They claim it will be up tomorrow (or today, technically, since they are almost a day ahead). It’s my first international race and my first trip to New Zealand. Can’t wait! Winter training has been highly abbreviated though…I’m hoping that’s a good thing, but only race day will tell.
Good luck and see you in Taupo.
TriDi
Me. 1st ironman. Thank God I live in Phoenix where I can ride outside.
The list is finally up, along with the Kona slot allocation, not that I’m in contention. Is the Amy White I see in F35-39 our same dear Lanterne Rouge?
Anyone else coming?
It’s also my first IM, first trip to New Zealand, first time flying with a bike… ack!
I’m doin’ it. And a HALO jump from 15,000 ft. the day after to celebrate.
Is the Amy White I see in F35-39 our same dear Lanterne Rouge?<<
Rumor has it!
I’m trying not to think about not being there. You’ll have a blast! Take your bike in to Cycle World and let James give it a once over. Tell him and Marie hi from me. They are good people.
Me - 2nd time after 1st NZ in 2002. Living in Seattle now means low training so it’s going to be an event.
Tom - we (Ironman Wetsuits) are going to be at the event as one of the sponsors. I know you’re fans of the other brands for numerous reasons but wondered if you’ve actually swum in the new Stealth. If not, the swim tests in the morning will be the way to find out.
tim
No IM NZ for me this year. I’m doing the new CaliforniaMan here in May instead, then going to Belgium and France to check out Lance and the boys. Since IM NZ is now the hot place to go, it’s time to find a new race to do. Just my personality quirk. IM France is looking good, or that new IM Western Australia. I’m thinking about going over to NZ in November though to see friends.
Cathy, your life sounds like a living hell… will you marry me? 
Paulo
Can you keep me to the manner I’m used to??? Ha. But definitely, I will have to add Portugal and Spain to my list of places to travel.
clm
Tim, someone told me that in years past Ironman Wetsuits has offered a trade-in discount on a new suit at IMNZ. Is this true, and will there be any such deal this year? Or any deals at all? It may be ill-advised for me to get a new suit the week of the race, but my old Orca is way too big for me these days.
Why not next week? Join me and Sergio for SmartAss Camp during Volta ao Algarve and you’ll get to see Lance too! LOL…
Hey - there’s generally some form of local deal at the race put on by the retailers but historically a lot of guys/gals from the US bought suits given the strong USD. As you probably know (or if not you’re about to find out!), the NZD/USD rate is vastly different to last year (0.55 last year and 0.70 now. Certainly anything in NZ is less attractive $-wise than it has been.
That said, we are running a morning swim session each day where you can test the suits out. We pride ourselves on focusing on fit first and foremost, speed and comfort being the output of the right fit. Come down to the swims, do a lap and try a suit out. You’re then best placed to know if getting a new suit is worth it and whether it works for you.
tim
I am if you’re really interested!?! Third time and I can’t wait!
I did another iconic New Zealand race this past weekend called the Coast to Coast Longest Day. There is a lot of crap thrown around in NZ about weather Ironman or Coast to Coast is harder. I will be able to confirm this in three weeks and one day! At this stage the C2C was definitely harder, but we did have the worst conditions recently raced. For those interested the C2C is a 3km run (sprint!), 55km cycle (drafting), 33km mountain run (over an alpine pass 1100m), 15km cycle (non drafting), 67km kayak (up to grade II white water), 70km cycle (non drafting), can of Speights (local brew and Title Sponsor)! The race started out as a two day affair 22 years ago (ending day one after the run and starting the next morning with the short cycle). It is still raced in this format by about 1000 people as individuals or teams. This year the run (for the one day event) was flooded requiring linking up with others to safely cross the rivers. Out of 147 starters only 46 finished this year. The organisers airlifted 50 people off the run course and the others missed out on cut offs or succumbed to the conditions. As you can probably tell I am feeling pretty proud, please excuse this! I managed to knock it out in 14hrs 11 mins and change. Wow I crossed from one side of the South Island to the other in a day under my own steam.
Sorry for sounding like a wanker, I am just still riding that wonderful high!
Cheers, Scott in NZ
Ah, the strong dollar. I bought a new wetsuit (Ironman, of course), when the the Kiwi dollar was 0.43. We bought lots of stuff that year.
Definitely stop by the swim and if Erica is there, have her show the proper way to put on your wetsuit. She’s the best!
I just checked out the pictures on Sergio’s site…IT’S TEMPTING PAULO!!
Francois,
You’re just jealous because me, Sergio and Cathy are going to see Lance next week and YOU’RE NOT! 