The current races are probably the right distance, they are still boring. Short course is probably less boring…but at least in the wealthiest sports market in the world…it has no shot at capturing attention. Well if the whole reshuffle of how the NCAA works doesn’t kill women’s triathlon, there could be a way in 10-15 years. Think about it, in North America people care about cycling during Le Tour. The rest of the year they are just participants. That’s triathlon, except 100% of the time.
But that is the sport triathlon, three sprorts. It isn’t swimming, it isn’t cycling, it isn’t running, it is all 3. The heat is due to the countries with the $$ interested in holding the events. Beggars can’t be choosers, pto have to take what they can get.
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North American based - but Lionel, for sure.
Honestly…short course - Leo, Vince, Hayden, Hauser, the guys who I think will have more success and will be better for views in the future. It might be triathlon blasphemy, but Jonny hasn’t done much since 2016 Olympics (2021 gold in team relay but…how many fans can name that team) and there’s much more prominent triathletes in the world.
Jonny actually goes and does some LC and sees success…give him Youri Koulen level wild cards - he should not be near the list of potential hot shots though in my opinion.
It’s funny you disregard Jonny, but include Hauser on your list. I cheer for the Aussie, but he has very small chances in the middle or long course tri - his bike level is waaaay to low. Like irreparable low.
I liked Pat Lemieux’s idea.
For the first 3 races, invite 25. 15 with contracts, 10 that are promised starts, appearance money, good prize money. After 3 races, take top 5 of that 10 and let them continue the season with contracts. Their 3 races count as if they had a contract from day 1
Create a mini season within a season
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Is 5th in the individual race in 2021 not good enough for you?
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Trust me…I get it. And…he’s one of the VERY best ever at SC.
But…not to get eyeballs to LC. The story of that race was 1-3.
ETA - this is who I think the T100 needs or doesn’t to be successful next year. Honestly - they NEED Sam Long more than almost anyone since no other US athlete on the men’s side got a contract. I think resigning Sam Long, or even adding Lionel (won’t happen but still) would be the #1 and #1a things to make the series more relevant in NA in 2025.
Please note the word relevant…lol
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Sad reflection of the state of affairs of elite men triathlon in the US. And this is not a ditch at Sam or Lionel or RVB. But who are the Justus Nieschlags, Jelle Geens, Vincent Luis, Marten Van Riel of US Triathlon? You know those ex-ITU greats who will do well at this T100 distance?
Lionel is from Canada, and Rudy is barley considered from the US…
Ben Kanute has had a real rough go at T100 and elsewhere lately, not sure who could and would move up from here…
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the US athletes after Sam - Rudy, Foley, West, Marquardt, Hanson, Kanute, Dubrick, Lieferman, Riele, then…Colin Szuch and Hunter Lussi…
I think that Rudy, West, Marquardt, Kanute, Dubrick and Riele have the swim, and POTENTIALLY the bike, to compete for top 10-15…but then why wouldn’t you look to win regionally and make better money and potentially better sponsors.
I am intrigued by seeing the development of McElroy and Pearson - but honestly Pearson is so hit and miss and Matt Mac…misses at the highest level. But…maybe bike focus and he gets there.
I find Riele intriguing because I don’t think his bike is too far off. His run is. But at least he’s in the conversation for a long time potentially. Marquardt could be similar. Both really good swimmers.
Let’s see where Ben Kanute goes - he can be there - but just a misfire. Same with West.
I’m…Canadian but live in the states…so I don’t really care all that much. I would love to see Jackson push the T100 but again - how high is the ceiling? And he might be better off further exploring the IM distance and pro series.
The T100 might follow WTCS for a while - can Tyler Mislawchuk bike at this level? but mostly Euro based and we are all trying to keep up. 2025 should be interesting!
Honestly - for the good of the storyline…if I were the T100 I would sign Sam AND Lionel to huge contracts that include them working together on the swim. Bike their asses off from behind, give them a camera - make the race from the back more interesting. Adding more good swimmers just makes it incredibly more difficult for Sam to get to the front and I don’t want him to think it’s impossible.
Yeah I am with you that one. Johnee seems to have a stronger bike leg than Hauser. Actually as far as Aussies go Birtwhistle has had 2 ironman 70.3 starts with a win and 2nd place for those so seems a better chance of being competitive in t100 Dont get caught up in the front pack swimmers who get to race while sitting in and only pulling a couple of short turns, the guys from the back are often stronger bikers, and used to running well after some time trialling. As an example Jelle Geens.
To answer your question, Mislawchuk has raced a non draft and had anl poor result. Dont even think it was 70 3, may been oly distance.
I mean…i know the answer lol…
But with training specifically - at his size especially - can he transition? I have my doubts until I see otherwise, but he’s like Jelle a bit so…we will see.
You meaning size of Hauser or Birtwhistle. Hauser is big, Birtwhistle pretty tall but lean. More a Vanriel build. I would say.
Tyler is really small best I have seen. Like Yee maybe? Just concerned whether he can hit the watts to compete.
Matt Sharpe - are you on here? Help us out? lol
Ah, got it, well he certainly didnt have the watts in the non draft race he dis only a few months ago. Dropped on bike
So pay bigger$$ to a couple who aren’t proving as competitive as you would like, to keep out those that can beat them fairly and give them a rigged chance of finishing higher for their country, Sounds fair
i’m not saying actually pay them more. I’m saying that they are the only needle movers in NA. Does that make sense?
Don’t think Lionel even has the ranking for a contract. If they can’t swim fast enough to be competitive, then they just aren’t fast enough. Shouldn’t keep the faster swim guys out if they can beat them to the finish line just to suit USA fans.