anyone know what the winners got? Everyone’s saying that Crowie was smart for using a P4, but maybe the professionals who chose Rev3 Cedar Point were smarter.
crowie probably also gets sponsor bonuses for being a WC, probably a lot more than what he might get as sponsor bonuses for winning Rev3
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crowie probably also gets sponsor bonuses for being a WC, probably a lot more than what he might get as sponsor bonuses for winning Rev3
The jury’s still out on his Orbea bonus…
Looks like both races had 100K prize purses. Some might have been smart to go to Rev 3, but I don’t think anyone who did Rev 3 could have done Vegas (didn’t get the points to qualify)
this isn’t about Crowie… it’s about choices.
Smart money, for those not named Alexander, Lieto, Potts, etc. was to do Cedar Point on this day, based on the prize money pool and who showed up.
Please, please, please WTC, if you’re reading this. Make the “world championships” a true world championships.
What would you like them to do to make it a true WC? I’m honestly asking here. They seem to have a lock (currently) on the WC name and no one else (currently) is stepping up to the plate to challenge them for a WC event.
right, but how many of them actually had a choice. How many of them qualified for vegas? I know of at least 1 pro who was planning on Rev 3, but then qualified for Kona and didn’t do Rev 3 today. Can’t say for sure it was because they qualified for Kona, but they probably would have had a better shot at $$ at Rev 3 than they do in Kona.
Some pros are better off chasing the Rev 3 series. I’m sure some pros are chasing the Rev 3 series. But I don’t think those who did Rev 3 today were able to pick between a WC (even if it’s a “WC” race) or Rev 3.
Not to hijack the thread, but I was amused to watch the finals of the “Street League” skateboarding championships this weekend on ESPN America… where the winner (a 17 yr old) took home… wait for it… $200,000.00
I will admit that those guys have got huge cajones for doing those aerials involving metal rails, concrete steps, and big air – without a single helmet or pads. And one guy had broken his hand, kept going after wrapping an ace bandage around it.
Skateboarding appeals to many kids who want to be part of the cool-kid culture. It brings in a shitload more $$ than triathlon does…possibly due to kids not feeling the enjoyment of suffering on a bike while wearing lycra.
*for the record, I am talking out my ass about skateboarding making more $$ than triathlon…I really have no data to back that up…
I’d put HyVee higher up than 70.3 worlds.
what I want is talent and money, which go hand in hand. The talent goes where the money is. And, for a world championships for a sport with talent spread the world over, the most talented athletes should be there.
Anyway, Vegas is a HUGE improvement over Clearwater, and has tons of potential. My hat is off to WTC for a decent first crack at it.
Joe Gambles is one who would have done better money wise with Cedar Point. Given how he did at IMMOO I think He could have taken Starky, especially on the run. Other part of the equation was the Rev 3 Bonus. Joe’s 5th made him $3,500 at Worlds, and a podium finish at Cedar Point should have put him into the lead for the Rev 3 bonus which would mean another $15K… Net result of a Cedar Point win would have been about $30K for Joe… But doing a Full about a month out before Kona certainly probably came into play.
great analysis
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I’d put HyVee higher up than 70.3 worlds.
what I want is talent and money, which go hand in hand. The talent goes where the money is. And, for a world championships for a sport with talent spread the world over, the most talented athletes should be there.
Anyway, Vegas is a HUGE improvement over Clearwater, and has tons of potential. My hat is off to WTC for a decent first crack at it.
Are you claiming that the most talented 70.3 athletes weren’t in Vegas? Do you feel that someone wasn’t there that could have taken down any of the top 3 in Vegas?
I’d put HyVee higher up than 70.3 worlds.
what I want is talent and money, which go hand in hand. The talent goes where the money is. And, for a world championships for a sport with talent spread the world over, the most talented athletes should be there.
Anyway, Vegas is a HUGE improvement over Clearwater, and has tons of potential. My hat is off to WTC for a decent first crack at it.
Money → talent. Yes.
Following up on Rappstar’s essay, the ‘Majors’ of golf and tennis generally have the highest prize purses. This isn’t surprising as these tournaments are able to leverage viewership to their corporate sponsors who pony-up the $$, and in-turn attract the best talent.
However, corporate sponsors who pony-up the $$ allows organizers to attract the best talent which leads to the “world champ” moniker. Ford sponsoring the IM World Champs is one such example. Hy-Vee sponsoring their race is another. For such a lean organization, WTC has been remarkably successful in selling and defending this title. But the competition is increasing.
Does anybody know the extent of Trademarked names? Ironman World Championships is taken. Triathlon World Championships is taken, I think. What else?
Well of course HyVee is higher up than Vegas, it is supposed to be. That is WTC’s 5150 championship, is it not?
The top short course events should be higher. That’s where the bulk of the pro talent is, that’s where the bulk of the sponsorship money is, and most importantly that’s where the bulk of the amatuer athlete’s are.
I do however think that that Vegas should be promoted enough (with pro prize purse), to be the top 70.3 event.
what is a “70.3” athlete?
are you trying to say that 70.3, IM, ITU are like apples and oranges and can’t be compared?
Also, what about 4th place? Was he a lock too?
anyway… who wasn’t there… so many. Let’s start out with the reigning 70.3 champ from last year. And Macca. And all the guys saving it up for Kona. Any of the ITU guys who would do a late season half IM.
for the womens, Rinny and Chrissy come to mind. any any of the girls saving up for Kona.
I agree that the womens field did appear diluted by not having Rinny or Wellington there. But not taking anything away from Rollison. That girl can run. And she’s just getting started.
The men’s field was stacked pretty solid though. If either Raelert were there things might have certainly played out differently, but why they weren’t there wasn’t because of money.
You mention this yourself. The stranglehold that WTC has over the sport right now is pretty tight. Most of the athletes not there that could have or should have been, are simply saving themselves for Kona. A win win for the WTC. They get to give a middling prize purse for both events and still attract the top talent in the sport.
You’re almost discrediting Crowies win. I, personally, think Crowie wins no matter whos there yesterday. Just my opinion.
Raelerts, Brownlees, Macca, prolly some dudes from Europe who I am too ignorant to know of.
Are you claiming that the most talented 70.3 athletes weren’t in Vegas? Do you feel that someone wasn’t there that could have taken down any of the top 3 in Vegas?
Have the Brownlees ever raced a 70.3? How does that fit into their bid for Olympic medals? Mentioning their names in this is ridiculous. I don’t argue they are phenomenal talents but you could offer a massive prize purse and they still don’t show.
Macca, while racing various distances this year, is still reaching for the Olympics as well. Money is not a motivating driver of anything for him this year or into the next I have to assume.
I already mentioned the Raelerts.
So now we’re left with “some dudes from Europe who I am too ignorant to know of.” Let me know when you figure out who they might be.
Macca, while racing various distances this year, is still reaching for the Olympics as well. Money is not a motivating driver of anything for him this year or into the next I have to assume.
I don’t disagree with your statement about the Brownlees - or we might have seen them at Hy-Vee as well.
Macca, on the other hand, despite his intent to make the Olympics, is still at least partially motivated by money this year. Think about his insane book signing schedule, his non ITU race schedule, and the number of races he showed up to (appearence fees maybe??) - many of which he didn’t finish. Not to mention racing Hy-Vee last week…only a week before ITU Worlds.
Obviously if Vegas wasn’t on the same day as the ITU world championships, there might have been a deeper field, and Hy-Vee would have been deeper as well if it wasn’t a week beforehand. I have no problem if WTC wants to own the olympic distance nondraft, 70.3 and 140.6 world championships, but you’d hope they’d put the money up, or find the sponsors, and the appropriate schedule to make them true championship races.