ITU (USAT) v WTC

[Sam]

I have not followed this controversy very closely, but it seems that
USAT/ITU are getting their panties in a wad over the company that owns
Ironman.

The USAT board is made up of a lot of race directors and I suspect they are
envious that the Ironman races draw such large numbers (and large entry
fees). So USAT votes to withdraw the sanctioning of Ironman events. Now
what if one of these RDs comes along with races that are the same length but
called something else? I am sure there are already races of Ironman length
out there (doesn't Clermont have one).

As for ITU, I love Les McDonald at times. He whines about a for profit
company. I wonder if Les is getting a salary? While ITU might be a
non-profit, I wonder how much it is in the black each year.

The bottom line is that ITU/USAT might well suffer. Ironman can easily
afford to self-insure. And when most people think of triathlon they think
of the Ironman (thanks to Julie Moss!). Heck, if it were not for Ironman
and Julie Moss, triathlon would probably still be a backwater sport limited
to SoCal and Australia.

My prediction: WTC flourishes while USAT/ITU will struggle.

USAT seems pretty lame as a NGB. ITU seems idiotic even for an IF.

 

[[email protected]]

It really isn't going to make a difference anymore because the WTC
recently formed a distinct insurance company to handle all WTC events
and now everyone is required to pay insurance for each individual IM
race and as of yet there are no yearly membership fees. I am already on
the hook for $30 in just insurance fees for IM races next year and
expect to have to pay another $30 for other races as yet to be opened.
Then, you still have to pay for a regular Bronz USAT membership to do
any normal races.

Of course, one of the funniest things I read was the Bio of the new
USAT director after Locke resigned and nowhere in it was any mention of
triathlon; either as a competitor or management.

WTC is growing and will continue to grow as is evidenced by the
sell-out races (IM Lake Placid sold out in 10 hours 2 months ago and IM
Wis. sold out in 7 hours this month) as well ast the new 70.3 1/2 IM
races that will now have it's own championship race (I think 1/2 IM
California may be the last 1/2 IM you will be able to qualify for Kona).

 

[Harold Buck]

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] wrote:

> WTC is growing and will continue to grow as is evidenced by the
> sell-out races (IM Lake Placid sold out in 10 hours 2 months ago and IM
> Wis. sold out in 7 hours this month) as well ast the new 70.3 1/2 IM
> races that will now have it's own championship race (I think 1/2 IM
> California may be the last 1/2 IM you will be able to qualify for Kona).


Speaking of which, isn't it retarded to call a race "Ironman 70.3"?
Maybe next weekend I can do a "Marathon 3.1" 5k race?

--Harold Buck


"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
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