OK the tracker is fucked. It shows Koolhaas running the last 2.5 km in almost 12 minutes at 3:39 per km. That’s a bit of a contradiction. Was at 39.6 km after 2:24 and finished in 2:36. Ironman math 
So maybe Sam’s crisis was fake news
It wasn’t fake news. He went from 2.5 minutes in front of Kanute to 35 seconds in one time check. Then held the margin for the next time check
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for every split the time, km, and pace don’t add up. It seems however that comparing paces from athlete to athlete still makes sense, as faster pace for athlete A compared to B at time split means more time difference between the 2 (if A is in the lead). Didn’t try to see if it was proportional though.
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Sam holds on for 2nd and Ben gets a podium and the final Kona slot.
Great effort for both coming off stressful weeks.
Hanson has also slowed so looks like Szuch for 4th and Hanson for 5th.
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So a solid European player comes to Arizona and sets a different standard for winning. Impressive! Though Koolhaas did have a team to work with on the bike (Kanute, Salvisberg).
Happy for Sam. I don’t think he will have any regrets. There was nothing he could do. He executed a very good swim, maybe his best in an ironman? Got beaten by two females only! Seriously, he’ll be happy with a 4 minute gap to the leader. Whisky en route to Greg Harper. Fastest bike split of the day and a 2:41, close to his best.
Kanute got a deserved third.
All of them have the Kona slot chasing off their backs.
Well done gents.
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What was particularly stressing about their preparation week?
How difficult can it be, IRONMAN? With no coverage, the splits/distances are extra important (for anyone who wishes to follow a race).
Women have 8 miles to run, all over 3 hours pace.
I’m guessing the lead woman Dailey is running under her new (assume) married name and is an IM Wales winner (Mitchell) (and won IM Ireland till Thoes was spuriously reinstated on appeal 'the outside assistance she received did not affect the race).
Alberts shattered the bike course record with her 4:30 (was 4:35 Annett from 2018).
Curridori, a tiny powerhouse Italian, looking to get on the podium (and KQ) by running into #3 shortly.
You must be kidding, trolling or you aren’t a father. His child is literally about to crown, this week is immensely stressful for an expectant parent. I’m impressed his wife traveled with him even though it’s a short travel.
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Are you a robot or something?
Is it? Only +8:30 for second. We’ve had plenty of Ironman’s where the second place guy is even further back.
It does set a course record though, cuts beats Lionel’s record by 16 minutes. So it’s impressive. Also nuts that the top 5 all beat Lionel’s record.
So no one talking about Menno Koolhaas sub 7h30 ? Seems to be the new norm for winning Ironmans ! Sub 7h20 should be coming soon.
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We only had 4, and I really don’t recall any of them being a big deal, till contractions started.
For one I had an important (national team manager) overseas event which ‘clashed’. I arranged a sub well beforehand and did not travel. Long ought not to have travelled if it’s so “stressful” imho. Why on earth get your wife to travel 5 hours in her state? YMMV
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Makes you wonder if he had been challenged on the run just how low could he have gone. He was clearly gunning for a low inner bc he didn’t need to run as fast, fantastic performance.
Tucson is one only 1:30 south of Tempe, they will be home for dinner. Ironman agreed to not require him to be present for slot allocation tomorrow
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Nope he’s just an ubermensch.
You’re not a professional athlete and not an individual professional athlete either though.
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In the last few months, Laidlow has gone 7:29 and Grosse-Freese went 7:27 in Copnehagen.
Haug’s 8:02 and Philipp’s 8:03 both better than any man (eg KB in Texas), IMHO.
So Nick Bare could go sub 10. Which is interesting, but apparently he’s shed most of his size and closer to what he was as a 1LT in the Army which was just an incredibly fit dude.
Nick Bare bike fit is so bad
Curridori went past her and gapped by 16 secs. Albert has run back up and racing alongside. Five km to go. And still together with 3km to go.
Dead impressed with Zilinkas who is a top drawer swimmer to hold it together on the run. This will be easily her best ever IM after DNFs the last two outings Texas and last year’s IMWC in Nice.
BwahahahahhHhHa https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRIcS5sEmGO/
And Blu, Hogenhaug and Stornes sub 7h30 in Frankfurt as well