HELL YEAH 
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I had read that Blummenfelt was going to Frankfurt to try and qualify. Will he bother now, or will Kona be his long distance debut?
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I think he’s not doing Frankfurt now, I saw something where some journalist asked him. Can’t wait to see how it all pans out. He’s obviously in great shape. I was surprised how well he went in the heat (he’s a “big” triathlete and I didn’t expect him to deal with the Tokyo heat as well as he did). I could see him doing really well in the world triathlon and 70.3 worlds and just being a little overcooked getting to Kona.
I wonder will Flora Duffy take up her spot? Can see the arguments both ways for this, but I don’t think she has said either way yet.
Also wonder if Alistair Brownlee has decided if he’s fit enough to go yet…
Jan Frodeno seems to have a big focus on Kona and on not over-racing. I wonder if he has an eye on trying to get 6 titles. He will be disappointed he didn’t get a chance for number 4 last year and he isn’t getting any younger. Roll on Kona to see how it all goes!
I thought he’d publicly said that he wasn’t going this year, which is why he opted for the ankle surgery I a bid to come back properly next year.
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Last I heard was he said he wouldn’t go if it jeapordised him in the long term. He’s still on the start list and I guess he’s the kind of guy who would make a late call on it. But he maybe already has binned it and I’ve missed this! It would be great to see him in the mix based on his 7:45(?) in WA just after Kona 2019…
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Not heard what Duffy’s future plans are. Does she plan to continue to Paris, move to long or back to xtera or just retire to Bermuda as a local legend!
Looks like a partial lockdown has dropped in Hawaii, through to mid Oct.
Any ‘gathering’ over 50 needs state permission and to no doubt jump through loads of hoops.
Still think it will happen, but most likely very stripped down. Feel for the 2021 qualifiers who can’t defer.
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@TROSaracen sits back in his leather recliner, pulls out a cigar, lights it and takes a long drag whilst looking into the camera. A knowing smile on his face.
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@gingerbongo i would be doing exactly that if I wasn’t still ranting and chuntering Muttley style about losing my accommodation deposit….
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And travel is still restricted from the UK.
I’ve been keeping half an eye on Boston, they locked down quite hard last time although I think they’ll be keen to go ahead, there’s limited numbers, rolling start, no hanging about etc.
Whether I’ll be there atm 
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One guy who qualified at Bolton, being honest he was the one athlete I know who excelled on a day when many didn’t, he’s 10 k in already, huge family holiday, extra week off work etc.
The other 5? have paid for various things, three of them don’t expect to go.
Really crap for them.
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10k in already, that’s crazy. I qualified at Bolton. We’re hoping for a family holiday too, but not booking anything until travel is confirmed. If no travel, I guess I’ll have to try again.
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I did raise an eyebrow or two when he told me…!?
I think the flights and accom are transferable ?!?
I think….
He comes across as a switched on guy, rode discs, tubeless at 70? Psi and worked hard on his run… over achieved to be honest.
9 th 40-45… I think?
Hope you all get there.
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On ST reporting that 2021 qualifiers from this season will be able to defer, but only to 2023 and beyond:
‘This seems to be the latest news on Kona situation, Ironman seems to offer athletes who qualified in the later part of the year, to defer to 2023 and above:
“We are also aware that entry into the United States is out of the question for some, and that is why we have developed a procedure for qualifying and postponing the Ironman World Championship, which takes into account the geographical conditions of our athletes, the security of the event and our obligation to allocate qualifying places for future Ironman events.” The athletes will thus have a deadline of the 24th. September to postpone the starting place from 2021 optionally to one of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025."
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That almost seems like a win even regardless of covid uncertainty.
Id gladly do a serious IM year to try qualify, have a year or two off then train again for Kona with a very well pre-planned advance holiday to look forward to. Even if have to do an event to validate that year.
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That would be good but I’m guessing qualification in future years will be harder, assuming they can’t get more onto the start line. Always got the impression the pier was quite small?
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They’ve already told people that the legacy route is full until at least 2024
Am I reading that correctly?
For those people who gambled and paid for the slot at IMUK, they can now defer to 2023, 2024 or 2025? 
That’s totally against the waiver they made people sign…
…but it’s also amazingly good news and more and more the corporation is painting themselves in a better light 
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I think they’d get a right kicking if they enforced that when it’s their government that is blocking a lot of countries from actually travelling there.
Might also appease the locals if there’s less people competing this year as well?