Faris is a WAY better athlete than Sérgio… and one of Sérgio’s favorite athletes, it was his pick to win IMH this year 
Someone has to support him!!!
Just give the guy an opportunity…and you will see… 
Sedi, as you know, me, Cathy, Francois support Sérgio and believe in him a great deal
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Of course I know! 
Good point, Frank
Generally, the fields at many of the top IM races are weaker now than they were, 10 even 5 years ago. This is due, as you pointed out, from the dilution factor as they ad more IM races around the world.
I would even venture that the field in Kona is weaker then it really should/could be as a number of top Long Distance specialists focus on wins at a few of the regional IM races and then skip Kona completely. It makes sense, as the prize purse at IMH is VERY top heavy.
Fleck
Yes, Kona isn’t as “strong” as it could be, but only at the second tier, just under the very best. A lot (as if there were a lot of them) of these people don’t go to Kona unless they feel they have a good chance at top 10 (or top 3) or they are there for the experience to better know the course when they are “ready”, as it is very expensive unless a sponsor is paying the way. Two examples I think are Raynard Tissink, who stayed away until last year and may have stayed away then if someone hadn’t paid his way, and Gordo.
Frank,
If memory serves me correctly, and if often does not, the major reason Gordo stayed away was due to his alergic reaction to jellyfish stings. I believe he wrote that in an article on XTRI last year following his attempt to defend his ultraman title. I think I remember reading that he would need to wear a full wetsuit and carry a bee-sting like shot with him.
If memory serves me correctly, and if often does not, the major reason Gordo stayed away was due to his alergic reaction to jellyfish stings.<<
Actually no. From October this year:
"I’m not an 8:30 Kona guy (yet) – I’m a tired 8:29 IMC guy. When I’m ready, I’ll focus on this race. With Scott and Dave helping me, I’ll be able to give it a good shot. Between the House of Pain and Team World, I think that the homies will feature well on game day. So I’ll keep logging 40KM swim weeks while my IMNZ competition duke it out.
When I race, it’s best effort start to finish – swim or swim/bike doesn’t appeal to me."
Chad Hawker
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Probably past his prime but I don’t think Cam “the Wildman” Widoff has won an IM. He is Mr. Consistancy however at IMH. Seems like he makes top 10 every year.
Widoff won Lake Placid.
What about Rutger Beke? Does he still count?
Francois, of course! You silly Kah-niggets!
Like I said my memory is not often correct. I still wonder after reading his excerpt on XTRI about the jellyfish incident how he will manage swimming without any protection with an allergic reaction that could be very serious.
Or are the jellyfish only there during certain times of the month, etc. and can they be avoided.
my Mr Consistency vote goes out to Ken Glah…that dude if forever in the top ten or just out of…never won Hawii but I think he has won other IMs…the energizer bunny come to life.
I’d have to say Ken Glah also. I was looking at the IM Kona results for the last 20 or so years and I’m amazed by the number of top 20 finishes he has. My dad was a finish line catcher at Kona this year and “caught” ken. My dad asked him if this was his first and Ken replied, “yeah, my 21st”. My dad said he was the nicest guy in the world.
I don’t know if Gordo has won an IM, but I’d have to throw his name in also.
If memory serves me correctly, and if often does not, the major reason Gordo stayed away was due to his alergic reaction to jellyfish stings.<<
Actually the quote you pulled was why he wasn’t racing, which was he just completed IM Canada a few weeks before and that is why he said what you pulled. G will get his IM this year.
Actually no. From October this year:
"I’m not an 8:30 Kona guy (yet) – I’m a tired 8:29 IMC guy. When I’m ready, I’ll focus on this race. With Scott and Dave helping me, I’ll be able to give it a good shot. Between the House of Pain and Team World, I think that the homies will feature well on game day. So I’ll keep logging 40KM swim weeks while my IMNZ competition duke it out.
When I race, it’s best effort start to finish – swim or swim/bike doesn’t appeal to me."
Macca.
Unless I’m mistaken, Macca’s won several IM’s. Heck, he went sub 8 at Roth.
Oh I thought we meant Hawaii. Either way. Rock on Macca.
FRANCOIS!
I can’t help it. I’m a Francois groupie.
RP
I can’t help it. I’m a Francois groupie.<<
Ha! Aren’t we all???
Actually the quote you pulled was why he wasn’t racing, which was he just completed IM Canada a few weeks before and that is why he said what you pulled. G will get his IM this year.
What???
I believe he’s also said in the past that he doesn’t want to do Kona again until he thinks he can be on the podium. But if that’s incorrect, I’m sure he will jump in here.