With a 2nd IM 70.3 announced for Denmark, there are now 67 races in that series per the WTC website. At about 30-35 slots each race for the WCs, does that not lead to a pretty crowded championship field? How many more 70.3s can they have and keep the same format? Pretty remarkable growth for a series that is, what, seven years old.
And the money keeps rolling in (to WTC), not to the athletes.
70.3 series isn’t 7 years old. The WC might be. But WTC would be adding races even if that wasn’t around.
It’s growth to match the growth of triathlon. Ok, maybe a little less than growth of triathlon because they ‘bought out’ a few races and caused a few others to fold.
I was not referring to the distance, but the series, which is seven years old (started in 2006). But I agree, likely reflects the growth in the sport, particularly when you consider that Rev3 is probably not much older and Challenge has grown a lot in the past 7 years. That is a lot of new races in 6-7 years. Which is good.
But it triathlon is still not as cool as obstacle racing.
Don’t they usually just re-distribute the qualifier spots? So the total number at the championships doesn’t increase? At least they did it the other way round when the Ironman Regensburg was cancelled and Wiesbaden (as a 70.3) got some of the Kona slots.
They could probably compensate by just making a small adjustment in the rolldown policy. Maybe just limit rolldown to just 3 or 4 places and then not redistribute the spots. It will keep the level of the competition high at worlds.
I hear at some races it rolls down pretty deep as many just aren’t interested in worlds as they have other late season A races planned.
Maybe just limit rolldown to just 3 or 4 places and then not redistribute the spots. It will keep the level of the competition high at worlds.
Right, because the guy who is 4 spots deep has a better shot than the guy 9 spots deep. The delta between the podium and 4 roll down places is typically greater than the delta between 4-10+. How about no roll down or only way it rolls down is if someone in front already has accepted a spot?
i don’t recall what the number was (I think 35) but I recall that Princeton 70.3 has less qualifying slots than normal, which is 50. so it appears they will spread them out a bit more.
I am pretty sure 35 is the new normal. 50 slots per race would be over 3300 slots for the WC. I cannot imagine a 70.3 course able to handle that kind of congestion. (I think Syracuse has more this year to try to jack up registration in a race where the numbers are shrinking. That may be true with some other races too).
I do think a change in the roll down policy may be in order. I would imagine once the worlds move to Europe, the roll downs on the US races will go pretty deep.
I am pretty sure 35 is the new normal. 50 slots per race would be over 3300 slots for the WC. I cannot imagine a 70.3 course able to handle that kind of congestion.
Just a quick spot check shows upcoming races that Q for the 2014 championships have 50 slots (Raleigh, Florida). Ones that Q for the 2015 Championships (Augusta, Princeton) have 35 slots.
Augusta usually signs up 3,300, but only like 2,800 or something show up.
Just a quick spot check shows upcoming races that Q for the 2014 championships have 50 slots (Raleigh, Florida). Ones that Q for the 2015 Championships (Augusta, Princeton) have 35 slots.
I think if you expand your “spot” check you will find few races with 50 slots. For example, Boulder, NOLA, Eagleman, Lake Stevens, Miami, Puerto Rico, Austin, Steelhead and most Euro races are 40 slots or less. To the extent the slots allocation IS higher for 2014 than 2015, it would seem likely due to the number of races added to the schedule that will feed into 2015 compared to 2014.
How dare WTC make money from providing a service that people love.
I am pretty sure 35 is the new normal. 50 slots per race would be over 3300 slots for the WC. I cannot imagine a 70.3 course able to handle that kind of congestion. (I think Syracuse has more this year to try to jack up registration in a race where the numbers are shrinking. That may be true with some other races too).
I do think a change in the roll down policy may be in order. I would imagine once the worlds move to Europe, the roll downs on the US races will go pretty deep.
I am counting on it!