OK, I know this was a huge heated topic last time around but it’s obviously something that still needs addressing. I for one totally agree that Larsen should be ‘embarassed’ about the path he’s now taking as an “age-grouper”. Scott Tinley, Dave Scott (Larsen’s self claimed hero), Mike Pigg, Karen Smyers, Paula Newby, etc have all continued to race Pro well into their 40’s… and with great success at that!!!
Larsen just beat 3-Time World Champion Pete Reid to get his “age-group” spot. I guess I just don’t get it? Why is Larsen so afraid of just racing pro? He’d rather win his age-group than get 20th as a pro? That’s pathetic to me. He’s obviously fit and ready to go, so why not give it a shot. As a fan of the sport and of cycling I’d much rather watch Steve come off the bike in the first place and then see how well he can hold on for the run than win his age-group.
No way in hell Peter Reid, Tim DeBoom, etc are racing age-group next year or the year after. I can’t see Conrad Stoltz jumping into an age-group spot at Xterra or Hamish Carter trying for New Zealand’s age-group worlds team in ITU.
I can see a so-so “X Pro” who never really did anything going back to age-group. We’d probably never even notice. But someone like Steve, who’s obviously still crazy fit, has no business racing age-group.
That all being said, he is doing this by the rules. So though I think he should be ashamed of claiming a ‘victory’ and taking a spot to Kona… it’s the WTC, USAT, etc that need to look into this.
This is just my opinion on Larsen but I’d love to hear thoughts on the best path/idea for this rule in the future.
Uh oh, here we go again! I think you all know how I feel about this but I’m still waiting to hear what Dan, Duke, Bob Babbitt or any of the other statesmen of the sport think on the topic?
He said he wanted to go to Hawaii. He has another career outside sport. He was able to squeeze in a trip to 0.5Vineman. At 0.5Vineman, there are only age group slots. He is eligible to race AG. He races and wins a slot. Seems simple to me.
Just my opinion…
Cripes! Give it a rest! Do you really care what Steve Larsen does? Does it affect your life?
Someone sent a letter to Paul Huddle and Roch Frey about a similar occurance (I think one of them did IM lately and the letter writer complained they should have gone pro.) They had an excellent response and I wish I could relay it here. But part of their response was something like, “Oh, so once a pro, always a pro? Right? Even if they make a career change - something that actually makes money and allows them to have family time, a life, etc.”
So, if Monty decides to go back to IM, he should go pro? What about Joe Bonness, shouldn’t he turn pro just because he wins all the time?
I just don’t see the problem. If Peter, Tim, Lori, Lisa, or any of them want to AG it, why not? I don’t know what their incentive would be, but it wouldn’t bother me one bit.
I am extremely confused as to why this is such a big issue. Obviously if you are bitching about this, you are not that fast. I’m sorry Steve Larsen can whoop your ass in a race, but he has no reason to be embarrassed by it. If anyone should be embarrassed, it should be Peter Reid, who is still paid to train full time. As far as your thoughts on this path in the future, find a new sport that you can maybe actually do well in so you won’t have to whine about how a guy who is faster than you took your spot away.
I have no problem with Larsen’s choice and, in fact, I applaud him and am pleased he remains in the sport. I hope he is in my age category, it raises the bar.
Good for Larsen, and I am 100% serious.
One of my best friends has completed the Tour de France 9 times and been on the US Olympic Cycling Team 3 times but he still does local rides and races- and he doesn’t *always *win. Good for him too.
If you bemoan the fact that Larsen is racing as a valid age grouper then let’s take it one step further and say that if you can run under an 8 minute mile you *must *race pro.
Larsen’s decision is a good one and I agree with it. He is not a professional athlete. He is a real estate broker.
Furthermore, I think the inference that he has done something that is somehow improper, unsporting or inappropriate is misguided and ill-conceived. Good sportmanship means rising to a challenge. It means taking on all comers.
Good sportmanship does not mean throwing your toys when someone with more experience or talent walks onto the playing field.
I don’t want to come off as offending anyone, I simply do not agree with any perspective that diminishes the validity of Larsen’s decision to race age group. He is a valid age group athlete: Welcome his competition as it raises the bar for us all and only adds credibility to what we are doing.
Personally I really don’t care that much. In reality he is taking one of what 150 spots in his age group? I would like the prize money opened up to all finishers, age group or not.
OK, I know this was a huge heated topic last time around but it’s obviously something that still needs addressing.
How can you say that, this horse has been beaten to death like 5 times now…and you post under a new profile with no name…
We all agree that Larsen followed the “rules” and that is fine…the rules need to be changed. I believe MJ has another year of eligibility left…so why not go back to UNC?? Because the rules say he can’t, and this is what needs to be changed. I say at least 5 years between pro and ager…especially if you are claiming IMH spots. Larsen said it himself…he has years of training (7-8 hrs a day), wind tunnel testing, nutrition guidance, coaching from the best, ect…that are afforded pro athletes. I would like any ager who has had these benfits speak up now, as I doubt there are any. Everyone says they’re out there but none has never spoken up on this board. I just think we need to change the rules and if I were Larsen, I would be embarrassed to have gained a spot this way. It is like going out with the C or D group and hammering them into the ground and then gloating. Some Victory!!
I am surprised nobody has spoken up stating how stupid it is in this day and age you can still qualify for the “Ironman World Champ.” by competing in a Half. Can you imagine in golf, qualifying for the Masters by only having to play 9 holes?