I just saw my name on tv as a lottery pick.
My family thought I was watching the Masters with my Dad. I had just gotten done explaining about the Lottery process and that I won’t get picked when he said “hey,there’s your name”.
My faith has been restored in the process. I would much rather qualify but this is pretty exciting. I’ll be on the starting line for all of us who have been somewhat close(years ago) and not made it.
awesome! Congrats and good luck!
The race is a thrill of a lifetime. Enjoy every second of it. Train hard, train in some heat. but mostly take in everything that day. Congrats.
Congrats Bill! It will be good to see you in Kona. Drop me an email if you need any travel advice/help. Get training, you only have 5 months. 
Support Crew
congrats! I got pick last year and had a great time. Enjoy every part of it!
Congrats, that’s awesome! I also won a spot last year – it is a mind-blowing experience.
Congrats. My wife won lottery in 2008.
It was her first IM and the first response was “oh shit, now I actually have to train”.
Enjoy the experience.
Nice! Congratulations!
Congratulations! I am very happy for you.
I’m now awaiting my fate in the international pool, which is announced on Wednesday if I’m not mistakened.
Congratulations!
WOW! How cool is that!!!
Congrats! I’ll admit I was a little relieved to not see my name 
Good luck on the training and know that many of us are envious of your good fortune!!
–Sax
Congratulations. Good things come to those who wait.
So can I just ask a question without being thought of as an ass?
So this is the “world ironman championships”.
What is/was the thought process of having a “lottery” and not actually having an entire field that actually qualifies, IE through elite’s/ age groups etc… I dont know exactly the qualifications, but it seems like if your in the lottery, you have not physically qualified?
Congrats on making Kona, just wondering what people thought of this whole process.
"without being thought of as an ass? "
Guess you’ve never read the rule book. If you’ve got a problem then take it up with the RD. You and Bman should go out on a good drunk together and get over it.
No, I’m fine wiht the process, I was just thought it was interesting and wondered what others thought. I only thought it was kinda odd considering its called the “world championships”.
I was just wondering what others thought of the process.
I guess my point is, why did the “lottery” process get started? Was it changed to allow “lottery picks” or has it never been a fully “qualified” race.
It’s the “world IM Championship” as defined by IM. They set the rules on how to get in…they also invite others to attend. IM needs to have a lottery and special interest stories to drive their brand, increase ratings and pay the pro’s. The OP did not take any spots away from other qualifiers.
to the OP - Good luck.
Thanks, for that info.
Edit: To the OP, I wasnt suggesting you “took” someone’s spot. I just was wondering how this whole “lottery” process was formed. Keyser, has said basically its done to get more participants adn make more $$$.
From a NBC coverage standout…it would be kinda cool if they could follow one of the “lottery” picks. Just to see the whole process and what type of race times they get.
Congrats. I also got in today.
Congrats!!!