Bolton has 50 extra slots. What’s the likelihood an IMJer who turns up and finishes Bolton for the IM bragging rights, then wants to blow £10k on a trip to Hawaii? I’m not sure take-up will be high in some events a long way from Kona, as it’s more expensive than ever.
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Nonsense.
It’s you against you; it’s the paradox that drives us on.
no point at all going to the “world championship” if you’re only racing yourself.
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Are you living in a cave bro?
It’s all about the WC MERCH. THE SWAG.
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Don’t forget the Insta shots 
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got a WC ironman bag
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That’s what people want to KQ for in most cases; the chance to experience the Kona Bubble, say you’ve KQ’d and get the Merch. I only think the very top few are bothered about racing in Kona.
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We do know the reasons though, Ironman have been explicit as to why they are doing these guaranteed additional slots.
I do understand the arguement you are making, but it’s one that is ultimately for Ironman to hold fewer events with more slots, rather than as they are doing: increasing the events and having extremely uneven distributions.
I think there is an issue with allocation slots and the algorithm, partly for the reason @buzz highlighted before. I’m just not convinced the response Ironman have came up with is the best one. It certainly doesn’t resolve the fundamentals of the issue, but it does get them very easy PR kudos. And if the people are taking the slots, paying the money and racing, then whether or not they’ve assembled the ‘best’ AG field they could get is of no concern to Ironman really.
And maybe it shouldn’t be, but to me this all smacks of the same superficial tick box approach so many corporations take to issues of inclusivity and diversity. But perhaps I’m just a cynic!
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You mean like this bloke - Martin Caron
Me leaving at 7:20 , I had ro run thru the field and everybody was stoping and treating me like I was an ass hole for trying to race and not waste time.
I almost picked a fist fight with someone that was pissed at me for running in to him as he stoped and turn in to me
Those wave starts are shit
I biked thru 800 athletes and ran thru 400-500
And still was stuck in the kaos
I think the mass start was better
Because back then you were getting the treatment that you deserved from your time performance on tye day
This sucked and I am not coming back till things changes
I’m sure he will be missed
I suggest that people were treating him like an Asshole because he is an asshole
I think I biked through 800 athletes, and ran past 400, I can’t say that I recognise his experience at all
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Shit swimmer probably 
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Interesting to note that he didn’t say “I swam over 200 people”, its all about the bike and run, so agree, shit swimmer
I promise it wasn’t me that wrote that post
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At least he is a professor of English
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Didn’t know Blummenfelt was there a decade ago 
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That’s every race I enter
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When?
2023?
Think they just added them in 2021 and 2022 as people hadn’t taken their slots across the globe at earlier races, so they were trying to fill St George and Kona 
It also doesn’t cost £10k.
Flights £1.5k (inc transfers & bike box)
Hotel £1k (max, that’s at one of the many motel style hostels, or individual s/c unit) for 6-7 nights
Race entry £1.2k
Food and entertainment ~£200/day, so let’s say £1.5k
It’s roughly £5k for the athlete.
Then about £3k for the partner (includes an upgrade to a hotel, plus 50% extra for food + ents)
So ~£8k for a couple, where one is non-compete.
You can get accom and food much cheaper if you know people who are going and can get a Vrbo villa or similar.
It’s 50 extra women’s slots.
Think there’s 50 normal slots, maybe 55.
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Pfft. He only came 8th in his AG with a 9:12.
64/4:47/3:16
Over bikes much?
If he swam like a normal person, I.e, 58mins, then he’d have finished 3rd in his AG 
Everyone above him in his AG swam faster.
If he swam the slowest time above (only 2 minutes quicker) he’d have been 4th in AG by mere seconds.
So might’ve dug in for third?
I can state from experience that coming out of the water in under an hour, or say Top % of field, is a whole world of difference from coming out in 65-70 minutes 
I was 62nd OA / 6th AG out of the water at IMUK and it was EPIC 
Clear transition, clear roads.
At Outlaw, I was shit. Had a busy transition and had to pass a few people in the opening KM of the bike.
At Staffs this year, I was horrific.
That was a massive shock.
LOADS of people to overtake 
On narrow lanes, with sketchy Zwift handling.
Hated it.
He swam shit and wasn’t prepared for it.
Nowt to do with IM that.
It’s just what happens when you swim 65 instead of 60 
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There are +50 slots next year.
There you go 
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Just posted my Kona costs on Kona 2022 chat
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Not sure I am following you, here?
There are 50 slots?
OR 50 extra slots above the normal 45?
OR, 50 extra slots for women?
And yes, you FTFY is probably right 
I’ve got a 3 month sabbatical/cash option maturing in August 2023 
Thanks @Matthew_Spooner - Really good that you’re willing to do that, people seem to shy away from it 
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