Did anyone else get bothered by the countless comments and attitude displayed by Paula Newby Fraser in regards to Tony Delogne “ruining her girls race” by passing them on the bike. If you were watching the LIVE feed, even immediately after crossing the line she made some comment about ‘thanks for ruining the race Tony’! You have got to be kidding me! Tony kicked ass and perhaps a big Congrats was in order?! I am a new MA based Triathlete and I have raced with Tony many times - the dude is MAD fast and I wish him the world! I was just wondering if this bothered anyone else yesterday?
Sorry - this is in regards to the Lake Placid race.
Seems lame and bitter to me.
Yeah I noticed some of the comments that were being made behind the scenes as he was nearing the finish too - amazing what a microphone can pick up live when no-one suspects it is running
Huge effort by Tony - amazing!
Why would she care? Why would a dude passing the women “ruin” their race? Color me confused…
Spot
I think she wanted some glorious finish with one of the pro woman crossing the line first. I know it’s not that big of a deal but for God’s sake - give the dude some props - he can move. He got the 3rd fastest bike split ever.
I don’t think PNF is known for her niceness or sense of humour. However, she is an athlete with an amazing record, and deserves some respect.
I’m sure that chasing a pack of pro women helped him pedal harder. I know it would motivate me.
Yes, and that was also apparent in the text updates.
The “best” athletes that I know let their results do the talking, rather than their mouths!! Just too much ego in some of these folks for me!
Dave
Yeah - one of the text updates said “she was grinding her teeth” as he sped through the bike course…
“However, she is an athlete with an amazing record, and deserves some respect.”
This wasn’t questioned and I don’t think the two are related.
" I don’t think PNF is known for her niceness or sense of humour"
Bummer, that. I had either PNF or Basso’s sister as the most likely candidates for the next Mrs. Big Duke Six. I guess Basso’s sister wins by default.
Yeah, I can see how that thinking goes. I can see it would be close, but I would have to give it to Basso’s sister as well. The choice I mean.
Tony Delogne “ruining her girls race” by passing them on the bike
If getting passed by a faster rider was ruining her girls race, her girls should have ridden faster, I guess. Last I checked, it’s still a race.
I do have a “thing” for PNF, but I assumed, for whatever reason, she was a nice person. SAC disabused me of that notion. I’m sure Basso’s sister is a saint, so I’ll pencil her in to the “A” slot. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.
quote “I don’t think PNF is known for her niceness or sense of humour. However, she is an athlete with an amazing record, and deserves some res**pect.”
This is a pretty ridiculous comment. Because she was a hell of an Ironman racer we can’t criticize her as a commentator?
I agree with the original poster; this seems like unwarranted disrespect for a fine performance. I didn’t hear it so hopefully it was all said tongue-in-cheek.
excellent point.
If PNF wanted a female to win, they should make it an all womens race, which is not practical. I think she figures a male starting so far behind them, catches them, takes something out of the female effort. It does bring up another point, do female athletes deserve the same prize money as male athletes?? That question should hit some hot buttons. The best female athletes in any physical sport are 10% slower than the best male athletes. Should they get 10% less prize money?? Also, the volume of female competitors is quite a bit less than male athletes, maybe prize money should be given out like they do IM slots, based on number of athletes.
My impression was that Paula’s comments were tongue in cheek. Sure she wanted the women to be first across the line, but I didn’t get the sense that she was actually mad that Tony “ruined her race”, just that she tried to set it up so a woman was first, it didn’t work out and they had a few jokes about it. Tony had a great race - he got lots of props at the finish, interviews, talk about his bike split, etc.
Joel