Do you really care what pro’s are signed up and a particular race (other than Kona)?
Circle one…
YES
NO
Yes. to follow the race online/tv etc
No. It doesn’t influence me signing up
No, although it does threaten my prized 37th OA placing…
Do you really care what pro’s are signed up and a particular race (other than Kona)?
Circle one…
YES
NO
Absolutely yes, but have no idea as to how the title of your thread relates to that question.
Yes, if it’s a race I’m doing. Most pros I’ve met have been really friendly and I’m looking forward to meeting Torbjorn and others at Wildflower. Outside of that? Only the Kona contenders really to get an idea of how they plan their season.
Not at all. I don’t even care about Kona. I like to read about things afterward, but spend absolutely no time thinking about it beforehand.
Chad
No
.
Define “care”, Chip.
Agreed. I like to hear or watch about the showdowns and races of the pros after the fact. But it has no impact on my decision to sign up for a race.
Do you really care what pro’s are signed up and a particular race (other than Kona)?
Circle one…
YES
NO
People say no mostly on this thread, but I don’t think they consciously know what the answer is. I think Wildflower is a great example. Always a stellar pro field, and the media attention it gets, pre and post race are huge, and have added to the allure of it. All the pro’s speak well of the race, and so all the pub is great. It would not get that type of pub without that quality of field, and that would affect attendance, because the fun of the event would not even be covered.
Besides, if you’ve ever been to WF, you’d know that race is hot, hilly, in the middle of nowhere, the roads are a terrible surface, dusty, and in general painful. That race didn’t become one of the biggest because it’s locale and beautiful course. It’s a fun event, because there are a lot of people, which came from the quality fields, and competition. They have done a great job of maximizing the exposure they get.
Again, I think people can’t consciously answer that question with an honest yes or no.
yes if it’s someone I know from here
jonnyo for instance!
You should use the search function more. 
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=2259697#2259697
Just last month
I certainly don’t want to do races because certain pros sign up, but I was happy to see the pro field at NOLA 70.3 was pretty stacked considering the other race that weekend.
Having said that I read that Macca and another pro are racing China 70.3, where there’s not a pro-race, so they are in the age group mix. gotta imagine that might make for either a fun race or someone could be a little upset if they come in behind them in their age group and would have won the age group if there was a pro field.
I guess it would be interesting to see Macca, Crowie, Chrissie, and a handful of others just to see what they look like in person, but I wouldn’t recognize 99% of the pros if they were standing in my kitchen. I’m sure the field will be littered with pros at SA next week, but other than checking their times afterward it won’t impact my experience one bit.
Now having their dogs at a race…well that is something I could really get excited about.
NO and no and no. I could care less if a pro shows up to a race I have choosen based on my criteria. Is it in a good location, close to a casino? On a weekend I want to get away from home? Are the distances right for “me”?
I’ve raced against, well actually, never even saw them once the gun went off, alot of pros. But it changes absolutely nothing for me. The biggest thrill I had was racing a race in Richmond, Va, against Dave Scott years ago. I saw him for a few minutes standing on the starters platform and then in line at the food after the race. And all that was from no closer then 50 feet : )
As someone else, mentioned…the more big-name pros that show up…the bigger the allure.
I enjoy the atmosphere at the big races and being a part of the whole experience. So I guess for me, the answer is yes.
I could care less. I would never talk to them before their race. They deserve to focus for their competition. I could not really watch them race. After the race they are gone, tired, surrounded etc. I have noticed it excites race directors.
I am doing the Xterra Midwest Cup race in a few weeks and got an email touting which pros are signed up. And, funny thing, when I registered a month or so ago, I didn’t even think about the possibility of pro participation, but now that I know, it is kinda cool. It will be exciting to “race” against some of the top Xterra pros. It is great that triathlon gives us normal people the chance to do the same race, at the same time, on the same course. Truly a unique aspect of our sport.
Yes, It is kind of cool to see them, it is like watching a pro baseball, football, etc. game and not only watching a pro do it but actually get to ‘play’ with them… I was going out on the run when Chris Legh was coming in at Steelhead last year gave me a real appreciation of how good those guys/girls are in comparison to a MOP’er like me! I look forward to seeing Andy Potts this year and compare swim times (if there is a swim), I’m getting a little faster but not that fast LOL!
Yes. Back in the day is was awesome to see Mark Allen, Dave Scott, Mike Pigg, etc. at the Hilton Head USTS Nat’l Champs. Some of my favorite memories in triathlons.