I’m not normally one to bash WTC, but this is getting a bit ridiculous…
Today World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) launches an exclusive athlete membership program called Ironman Access. In addition to other member benefits, the program will offer advance registration for Ironman events worldwide before entries open to the general public. Membership into Ironman Access is on a first-come, first-served basis and will close once it reaches capacity.
wow…is all i can say…
$1000.00
Free Market Capitalism
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$1000 for access to early registration? Wow! You do also get an official membership ID card.
A thousand dollars for the privilege of cutting in line? Nice! I would love to know how many people will bite…
So much for Placid 2012…unless I skip the first day of the bar exam to head out there and volunteer.
Not saying it is right or wrong, but it seems to be the same thing as a personal seat license.
It might have been a better deal a few years ago when you had to be in Lake Placid or Penticton to sign up, but still not shocking.
Wow. That is F’ing re-damn-diculous.
But, I guess the $1,000 fee might be the same thing that some people spend to travel to a race and volunteer.
I wonder how many races will even make it to on-line registration now.
In order of entry:
I think they will post in one month that it is “at capacity” to make people rush in ala Ironman Texas.
Dude yo get all this:
In addition to exclusive, advance registration, Ironman Access will offer perks including an official membership ID card; a second chance in the Ironman Lottery Program*; two VIP passes per registered event; a one-year subscription to LAVA Magazine; discounts on Ironman partner products at shopironman.com and at Ironman’s on-site event retail stores; and a 2010 Ford Ironman World Championship NBC broadcast DVD. Membership benefits are valid for one year starting from activation date. In order to take advantage of early event registration, membership must be current. The annual membership fee is $1,000 USD.
I just hope there is a 30 day trial period where I can get my money back if not satified. They probably got the memo that IM has only 15 years left of turning a profit and are trying to squezze all they can out of it now.
Why not do the Community fund if you don’t get in. At least you get the tax deduction instead of giving them more money. How much are Community slots these days?
Hey don’t be a hater they are saving the sport,Slowtwitch says so!! 
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The NYT article seems more realistic now.
Exactly - I’d rather give up money to a worthy non-profit - plus my wife would kill me if I dropped 1000 clams just for the privilege to sign up early. Oh well - I think I will risk not getting a slot the old fashioned way and see what happens.
Community fund spots are more expensive than that. What I find amusing is that they include the Lava subscription…that you would get when you register for a race anyways!
corporate
whooooores
.
Say what you want, but it appears to me the guys at Providence Equity are some smart mofo’s. Everything they are doing is increasing the value of their brand. No doubt they will unload this thing in a few years time at a huge profit.
In the end, that’s what it’s all about.
So am I reading that right, it doesn’t even include the actual race registration itself… You’re paying an extra grand just so you can spend another $600 (or whatever) before the next guy spends his?
Yep. I wonder if they get special bib numbers or different colored ones too?
Yep, definitely worthwhile. The subscription to Lava and the DVD push it over the edge.
They’ll sell a ton of these.