Tech Support Confusion

Triathlon Forum
1

Ironman has been making the rounds on Universal Sports, and it’s led me to wanting a clarification on Tech Support-

Normann flats in 2005 and they get him 2 replacement wheels.

Natasha Badmann crashes in 2007, and they get her on a P2C and she continues the race.

Macca snaps his derailleur cable in 2008 and they tell him they can get him on the road but it will take a while.

Crowie flats at Worlds 70.3 in Vegas, and tech support quickly gets him on a new wheel and he continues and wins.

Chrissie flats in 2008, and they can’t and don’t help her at all?

Me confused.

2

Yeah, but it did increase the drama a bit;
.

3

This is what we call stewardship of the sport. Great work WTC!

4

All of those incidence were at Kona with the exception of Crowie in Vegas. Tech support in Kona is handled by a local shop, not by WTC. Their experience level, professionalism and knowledge are all over the place. Domestic race are supported by full-time WTC staff race mechanics with decades of experience. At Vegas the mechanic on a scooter was contacted by radio and was able to get to Crowie quickly with the proper equipment (something that is done for all competitors). In Kona, the Tech Support van with the Island kid may or have wheels, tools or the ability to fix anything.

5

there is also 112 miles of road out there, so getting to everyone within a couple minutes is impossible.

of course a huge corporate whore event would usually have the advantage of at least staying near the top 3 in the mens and womens races because they have the money and organization to do that.

hmm