Ha!

Hawaii is still by far the most competitive ironman race by far... At least for the first 800 or so in the race.

One reason would be the loads of Ironman races in the US, meaning more US competitors qualify.

Another reason would be lottery spots which, I think we can all agree, are a money making and marketing ploy. For those who quote Collins and his "Hawaii should be for everyone", well that's cool, but it's not a world championship then is it?!

World Championship races should have the best in the world racing in them, so I'd rather see the top 4-5 age grouper's/pro's from each country around the world racing.

Maybe the WTC should give out free entries to "lottery" winners for an Ironman race close to them... But they wouldn't be making any money (and I can assure you, they make a killing) from that now would they?

It's this sort of crap that got the ITU pissed off with the WTC, who want triathlons promoted equally worldwide instead of in a bias way, as the WTC has done.

Mark.

Screw the lottery and just qualify! :). Seriously, I would never apply for a lottery slot, so who cares? The ONLY way I go to Kona is to qualify, otherwise it's just doing an IM in a different local.

I completely agree, and that is the only way I will go too. After doing a fair bit of research, it just appeared that alot more qualification slots go to the states. I didn't even look at the lottery. 2 Ironman events in Oz a TOTAL of 7 positions for the 2 races (25-29) will go to Hawaii. It appears that its not just qualifying spots that are lop sided. Just thought I would see what everyone else thought.

I don't think anyone should look down on those who use the lottery system. I have a number of friends that will never qualify, that always try for the lottery, and good luck to them...who are we to down play that. Lets not get too elitist...remember we are only age groupers (aka. just punters) anyway. I would only go as a qualifier because I would not feel comfortable taking a slot away from someone who would otherwise never get the opportunity.

The WTC is a private corporation. And as we often see here in the US...private corporations feel they can do whatever they want.
It's o'dark thirty here and I haven't done my research...but I think there are more WTC IM races in the US than anywhere else...Is that because the US right now has more per capita disposable income than most other countries? (If you would like to dispose of some more, PM me and I'll send you an address...we'd like to re-do the bathroom.) You go where the money is. If you want a set number of slots across all ag's then you need a firm cap on the number of people allowed in those AG's...no more sliding scale...and lets do away with roll downs too.
If you guys are so upset about WTC and slot distribution...race indie races...they would love to have you...Oh,what's that? then you couldn't go to Kona? Kona shmona...It's a contrived "World Championship" anyway.
As to the lottery...there are those,myself included, who will never qualify to race there...for us the lottery is a nice touch. It makes it all a lot more egalitarian ...without it,It's just a bunch of elitest tri-heads with loads of disposable cash getting in a long workout,and since it's not a real "World Championship",who are the lottery slots hurting...?
I guess that is the bottom line...Money. If you got it you are more free to train, pay for coaching, get an awesome bike, buy suppliments, get massages often, go to alot of races, buy the latest GPS/HRM/Blood analyzer/Vo2 max test gizmo,afford to actually go to Kona.
I love this thread...it shows up every year after IM's start and people don't qualify...
Some of this is tongue in cheek...some isn't.

Anyone have any idea what the odds are on hitting the lottery anyway?

it's always a little funny to ask a private corporation to be "fair" (because they are a business...it's not in their interest)

the olympics could run an ironman distance event to be most internationally fair

Although that would be a cool idea... i'm afriad watching an Ironman race is not far from a day of watching paint drying on a wall.

The marathon, which traditionally is the longest race at the olympics, is still quite cool to watch because of the intensity they run it at.

Really though... The fastest Ironman guys are swimming 1.12's/100m, averaging 40km/h on the bike and running somewhere close to 4min/k's... Although we can appreciate the pace they hold, realistically, in comparision to their sinlge disciplined counter-parts, and the olympic distance triathlon, their going bloody slow.

Mark.

Yer just a wus and can't take cold water, that's all! :D

You know what this is my opinion. It's not a world championship if you let every one in period. However I think dropping the whole world champions ship moniker should be done anyways. It is a highly elite event and should stay that way but I like how they offer it to every one. just my 2 cents even thought they don't make sense...

Which one are you doing A?

Yeah honestly I am doing the Ironman to say I have done the Ironman. I was looking at the Chesapeake Man as my first IM (distance) but I just wanted a real IM. After this I will be on the indie train. I am right with you anton, I will do as many different types of events as I can just to do them. I love diversity like that...

The WC is what it is.
People complain about the lottery. As they are not earned slots - which is true, but the lottery spots are a part of the spirit and tradition.
If it is soley based on qualifying times - then there should be no need for age groups. Just send the fastest of the fast.
Personally, I'm hoping as I age up that other competitors start dropping out or whatever thereby giving me a shot a qualifying in the old guy brackets.

Well burst my bubble!
Maybe I need to buy the guys in my AG some Mickey D's...Maybe if I can fatten 'em up, they'll slow down!

Qualifying for Kona.. damn that might be prety tough ( understatement) even if you are American.
I managed to qualify for the IM 70.3 World Championship and allthough I want to earn my slot again this year, I can understand that people enter the lottery, for the full and half IM. Sure why not, me.. I'd rather earn it. But there's nothing wrong with getting lucky.. I guess it's still fun, but I was glad I was there knowing I'd payed my dues.

Noel.
P.S. I still love Star, no matter how much she lucked out ;)

Hey, I remember this thread! I ahve no issue with someone who is there due to the lottery, although are you saying that this will be your first IM? See, that's where I really don't like the lottery. I think at the very least it should be a requirement of having completed at least one IM before being whisked off to Kona.

All the same, welcome to the board and I will see you in Kona, October 13th :).

Congrats on the spot : ) Hope I could join you and the rest in Kona some day :)

What about people that qualify at a 70.3? They don't necessarily have to do an IM first, and they have qualified... So I guess I'm just saying the lottery winners are held to the same completion standard as everyone else.

I have to tell you that I enjoy the discussion. I am sure that once I get into a qualifying race, and qualify, that those lottery winners will annoy the heck out of me. :) In the meantime, I will take comfort in the fact regardless of how someone gets entry into the competition, they still have to complete the race within the established times under what appears to be less than perfect weather conditions.

Also, IM qualifying races aren't always the easiest to get into either. I live in the middle of the country and the only IM qualifying race within 500 miles of where I live is the Wisconsin IM and like all qualifiers, the race fills up fast. If they changed the requirements for lottery winners to have completed any IM distance race I think most people would be fine with that.

Thanks for everyone's support. I wasn't sure what to expect. To be honest, after hearing some of the arguments I think that the lottery system definitely needs to change. I think that upping the validation requirements to a full ironman makes the most sense. It might even make sense to just include non-qualifying finishers from qualifying races into the lottery(if you can understand that). That would certainly eliminate me from this round but I think it makes the most sense.

Anyway, I am going to Kona and if anyone wants to get together for a drink after the race, let me know. :)