It’s been a bad week for World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), the company that owns the Ironman brand. First there was the disaster of the Ironman Access program. WTC feels there is a problem with people who, in order to get in an Ironman race, will sign up for three or four races and then not show up to some of them when they get into the race they want. This leaves up to 3,000 ironman slots a year over all of their races that go unfilled. In order to alleviate this, they came up with a program which allowed athletes to buy early “access” to their events in order to sign up a week before everyone else. The cost to the athlete for this program would be $1,000 annualy.
Many, including myself saw this as just an opportunity for WTC to increase revenue and provide access to individuals who are willing to “pay to play”. They know that triathletes are affluent. A recent study indicated that the average triathlete makes six figures and spend about $22,000 on their hobby. Participants already pay pretty steep entry fees, $250 for a 70.3 and $500 for an Ironman. Pros now pay an annual $750 fee to have the privilege to enter races, and they introduced a program last year that limited payouts to competitors that finish within 8% of the winner’s time.
The uproar to the latest Access program was deafening. It was a study in how social media works in the 21st century. They were bombarded with facebook posts and tweets and e-mails. With 24 hours, WTC rescinded the program. Their CEO, Ben Fertic, put out a short video apologizing for letting us all down. You can take a look at it by following this link:
This weekend, WTC put on the Ironman Miami 70.3. Reports from the participants indicate that it was a disaster. It was hot and humid in Miami over the weekend, but the elements are part of the game. What shouldn’t be part of it is the apparent disorganization that occurred throught the event. From a disorganized check in, to not having the bike transition are set up properly after a two hour delay, to not having water at the aid stations, WTC let their customers down in a dangerous way. There were complaints that after about half way through the bike, many competitors never saw another drop of water. This is a very dangerous situation that should never occur and considering the conditions, they are lucky there were no serious injuries. WTC has since posted the following statement:
WTC recognizes the many problems that athletes experienced in Ironman 70.3 Miami this past weekend. While this event is licensed to Miami-based Paramount Productions and not produced by WTC, we take your dissatisfaction seriously. In an effort to restore full confidence in the quality, safety and overall experience in this event, WTC is doing the following:
1. Effective immediately, WTC is taking over the operational planning, management and execution of this event for 2011. The event will be incorporated into our operations system and produced at the high-quality level you expect from our other races.
2. For all athletes who competed in the race on Saturday, WTC is offering a complimentary race entry into any of the 70.3 races in 2011 listed below, to include next year’s Ironman 70.3 Miami. WTC will contact those competitors on December 1 with registration instructions.
At the start of this tale, I took care to define the caretakers of Ironman as WTC, the company that owns the Ironman brand. The reason is because during the storm that they have weathered over the past week, there were some who obviously drank the cool-aid and were quick to tell everyone that Ironman had meant so much to the sport, etc., etc. I agree. Ironman is an Iconic trademark and it’s participants are so loyal that many of us have tattooed their brand on their body.
However, it must be remembered that, in my opinion, WTC is not triathlon. They are not the 15 competitors that showed up on a bet that first Ironman and they are not John and Judy Collins who organized Ironman. They are not even the Hawaii Triathlon Corporation, the company that brought Ironman to the world stage and who WTC bought the rights to Ironman from in 1990. WTC is a corporation and their mission is to increase revenues, and as they state, to make the Ironman Brand the most recognized in the world, end of sentence. I’ll leave it up to you to decide what that means and let’s hope going forward, they will invest in their athletes and keep Ironman what it has been for the last 30 years.
Now for what is right in the world of triathlon. I’d like to congradulate two Sacramento teenagers who you are going to hear a lot about in the future. Shayna Powless and Jeroen Keukenkamp won their age group at the XTERRA National Championships. These two have been tearing it up locally for a while at the TBF triathlons here in Northern California. You can get the full story in the news section below. Shayna comes from a very athletic family. Her mother represented Guam in the Olympics. I saw Shayna’s little brother, Nelison, finish on the podium among men last spring in a mountain bike duathlon on a borrowed single speed mountain bike. I offered him a scholarship to Sac State on the spot. However, his dad, Triathlon coach Jack Powless indicated that he would have to finish middle school first 
Other than that, not a lot going on this week. There were a couple of Ironman races and IM Arizona is on the horizon. I’ve got a great interview with an Ironman Ironman (no, I didn’t write it twice by mistake) Petr Vabroušek. The guy hasn’t taken a day off or met a race he wouldn’t show up for in about 15 years! I’ve also got a report on something I found interesting at Interbike. I hope you do to.
The News
IndyCar: Kanaan Spills a Bit of Blood in Triathlon
Steffen Wins Noosa Triathlon After Ironman 2nd
Sac-area Teens Come Home Victorious From XTERRA National Championships
Atkinson Picks Up Noosa Trifecta
Winkler, Wassner Win Men’s, Women’s Titles at Marin County Triathlon
Ironman 70.3 Miami: France’s Sundrie, Britain’s Cave Brave Heat, Hardships of Downtown Endurance Test
ITU 2011 Triathlon World Cup Series Dates and Venues Announced
Para-triathlete Hector Picard to Compete in Conchman
Advice from a Pro
Recovery advice
ITU and Olympic Triathlete Sarah Haskins – ice bath after a tough run and bike session…contrasts are even better (cold/hot/cold).
XTERRA Triathlete Dan Hugo – Have a glass of water with protein powder just before sleep, along with some L-Glutamine.
ITU Triathlete Stuart Hayes – Protein shakes after all intense sessions swim, bike and run. and an ice bath.
Ironman Triathlete Kate Bevilaqua – Sleep, sleep and more sleep! It it the time your body recovers the most so the more you can get of it the better! I try and get a short nap every day even if only for 30 minutes! I also stretch and use my TP Therapy most days.
Ironman Triathlete Leanda Cave – Aside from retail therapy! I use 4 extra large soft ice packs and sit down in bed with them on my quads and hamstrings while I read a book….I hate ice baths.
Ironman Triathlete Ben Hoffman – Find foods you like to eat right after training sessions, and get the calories in as soon as possible afterward. Get with a massage therapist that really understands your needs, and take plenty of naps!
Ironman Triathlete Petr Vabrousek – Cold water right after the bike or run session, especially in hot environment. Whenever possible, I jump to the lake, river or ocean as soon as possible. In nasty winter conditions, hot bath can do similar wonders.
Product Review – The AirCaddy
If you have traveled to a race recently, then you are well aware of the sticker shock that comes with traveling with a bike. Delta is now charging $200 one way, and many airlines are charging $150. My wife and I took bikes to Europe a couple of years ago, right as the prices went up. Northwest tried to stick us with a $300 charge on the way back home. Thank goodness my wife speaks fluent French and she successfully argued us out of the charge. It’s interesting that Northwest was the first to jack up the prices on bikes and now they are out of business.
The other problem is that many bike boxes weight more than the bike, putting you over the weight limit and exposing you to another charge. The boxes are built for pro cycling team or pro triathletes who take a lot of trips with their bikes . You and I, on the other hand may make one trip a year, so is the investment in a $500 plus bike box or bag worth the price tag?
One solution is the Aircaddy K9100 Compact Container from Arietar Lyd in Oak Park, Illinois at www.aircaddy.com. It’s a cardboard box with an internal aluminum mounting system that has been specifically designed to carry your bike. The basic box that can be FedEx-ed sells for $99.95 and is said to last between 4-6 trips. You can ship your bike through www.shipbikes.com door-to-door or have it dropped off at a local bike shop, usually for less than $100 via FedEx Ground in the continental US. One person who uses the aircaddy said he got eight trips out of it. When the outer shell wears out, you can buy a new one for $39.95. If you are going to use the box on a plane, you can purchase a wheel kit for $59.95. When not in use, the aircaddy folds up and you can purchase a travel bag for it for another $29.95.
The Aircaddy has a triangular shape which allows you to throw extra items besides you bike in the box. It has a 60lb capacity and the manufacturer indicates that it exceeded 3,500 pounds of downward peak force in testing, so your bike will arrive at it’s destination in one piece. The box measures 58” long by 22” wide by 31” tall, which totals 164”. This conforms to all FedEx, DHL and UPS shipping standards as well as ATA, TSA and FAA size and security regulations. It has a Velcro closure at the top which is very handy for TSA to open (which they will). Because it is easy to inspect, you are less likely to suffer damage when some fat fingered TSA agent goes through your stuff and then tries to put it all back together.
20 Questions with Petr Vabrousek
Petr Vabroušek is an Ironman among pro Ironmen. He has shown up for the last 11 Ironman World Championships. Last year he did 45 races, 24 of which were at least a half IM – half of which he won. He even did an XTERRA race (finishing second) and then went out the next day and won a IM distance race! Some of the highlights include a 4th at Ironman Canada, 2nd at Ironman Lake Placid and 6th at Ironman Brazil and Utah. He takes exactly 4 weeks off in the winter before he starts racing again.
He also holds the distinction of being the only triathlete I’ve interviewed that thinks he’s paid enough. I guess it’s all about your perspective. Petr is from the Czech Republic and has master’s degrees in economics and marketing, so I guess he would know better than I. He also speaks 5 languages, so I’m sure that when Petr decides he’s done racing, he won’t have much trouble finding a real job. You can check him out at his website: http://www.petrvabrousek.eu/default.aspx?intLang=1
Here is an interesting 20 questions.
(This Week in Triathlon) What is a guy that has two masters degrees in marketing and economics and speaks doing spending his time as a pro triathlete? Shouldn’t you be solving the world crisis?
(Petr Vabroušek) Interesting question J! I won´t be professional triathlete to the end of my days, and there will be other crisis to solve later on… Right now, I am fully enjoying my flexible job, which allows me to spend tons of time with my family.
(TWiT) When you do enter the workforce after your triathlon career, what would you like to do?
(PV) Whatever seems most appealing at the time. It is hard to say, what it is going to be now, when I am not sure, if it´s coming next year or in 5 years… I would love to stay connected to triathlon, but also can imagine totally different venture.
(TWiT) You have an 11 year old son. What will you tell him if he announces he wants to become a pro triathlete?
(PV) He will get the same answer, as if he would announce, he wants to be a pilot, dentist, guitar player or millionaire: If you really want to do that, I will do my best to support you in your decision.
(TWiT) You won the Czech Duathlon Championship in 1995. If Ironman announced a new duathlon world championship, would you be up for it?
(PV) I would definitely consider it. Prior to triathlon, I was rowing for 10 years. As a result, my limited flexibility and unlimited power, allows me to hammer bike and run. I just found out, that water is not to be conquered by sheer power. I lost too many Ironman wins just in the swim portion… Making “Ironman duathlon“ would definitely take my weakness out of the equation. I always wanted to do Zofingen, but there was always some Ironman around…
(TWiT) What was your greatest moment as a rower?
(PV) Discovering the joy and pleasure of doing outdoor sport activities. As a kid, I was extremely lazy and even considered walking too exhaustive. My parents put me into local rowing club along with my older brother when I was 10 yrs old to fight that laziness in me and it worked. My older brother stopped rowing few years later, my younger brother joined us against his will 2 years later and kept rowing up until 3 years ago (he is single scull lightweight World Champion and 2 time-Olympian in lightweight double scull from Sydney and Athens).
(TWiT) Were your parents active in sport?
(PV) My father grew up in small rural village and his only sport was lot of agriculture work, my mother did a little bit of athletics (high jump), while at school. Neither one was competing. My father only started to do some runs and shorter triathlons few years ago under my guidance and at a very slow (recreational) pace.
(TWiT) I visited the Czech Republic once. The women are beautiful there. Should I keep this a secret?
(PV) You´ve just published it! That is true and everybody knows that. My wife is prime example and I am very happy to be with her.
(TWiT) You have been at this for a long time. What has changed for the better since the ’90s? What has changed for the worst?
(PV) The fields are growing as well as the number of top athletes and number of new races. I don´t see major any major changes for worse or better. You have more races to choose from, but it is not always easy to enter them. As for official Ironman races, I would expect prize money to substantially go up, along with number of athletes participating and sponsor and media interest increasing. That is not happening…
(TWiT) As a triathlete, you are probably paid the least for the most amount of work of any pro athlete. How would you suggest that triathlon take steps to provide a living wage to it’s product?
(PV) I completely disagree. I don´t feel to be under paid. I earn enough money to support my family. I agree, prize money should be a lot higher, then 15 years ago. On the other hand there is a handful of sponsor, who realize my visibility on Ironman circuit and are willing to support me.
(TWiT) How exciting is the new $750 price tag on an Ironman license.
(PV) Not really. For me it only meant, that my costs went up by that amount. As formal Ironman Champion and frequent visitor to the podium, I had free entry into all IM races, I have ever done – except for the very first one in 1999 in Australia.
(TWiT) At Lake Placid this year, as you passed Maik Twelsiek, you turned and said something to him. Do you mind sharing what you said?
(PV) I told him: “Keep it up, we are almost there!” I still hoped, it wouldn’t make him want to catch me back.
(TWiT) I follow quite a few triathletes on their blogs and twitter. Most of the comments are regarding food. Can’t an Ironman triathlete eat pretty much anything he wants?
(PV) It depends on his or her goals. If it is just to reasonably finish races, eating anything would work. If your goal is to finish at your best, you should choose generally healthy diet. I personally eat 90% healthy and 10% junk (more social reasons, then craving).
(TWiT) What would your significant other say is your most annoying habit?
(PV) I have a tendency to pontificate and explain more than necessary. Tried to avoid this in this interview though…
(TWiT) You have raced at Kona for 12 years in a row. How many more appearances can we expect?
(PV) Not sure, I have been always saying, that I will keep racing pro as long, as it makes me fun and money. Once one of those assumptions will be gone or some health issue arises, I will stop and do something else. It would be nice to make it 20 in a row…
(TWiT) You compete in an incredible number of races every year. Probably double or even triple the number of races many to triathletes do. Is it because racing is that much fun for you?
(PV) Definitely. I am typical racing type of athlete. Training is nothing, I would be excited about. Not having a major race for 4 weeks would mean serious troubles with training motivation for me. I also found out, that my body and mind can absorb unlimited number of long distance races (92 Ironman distance races + similar number of half IM, “Nice” distance triathlons and cycling and running marathons – over past 10 years). Having long distance race practically every weekend gives me a great training base for future races and I can just enjoy resting and tapering for the rest of the week…
(TWiT) What one race would you say was your favorite?
(PV) Original Ironman South Africa in Cape Town – my first win in official IM race, great and challenging race course and amazing place to discover. Current IM SA in Port Elizabeth is pretty close to it too, especially with nearby Addo Park.
(TWiT) What about Ultraman? (515k triathlon over three days) Does that sound like a fun weekend?
(PV) It actually does. I feel I have more reserves in endurance, then in speed. As a professional with family to feed, I have to look on entry costs/prize money ratio and that looks better at Ironman races, then at Ultraman. I would have to find a strong sponsor willing me to represent him at Ultraman…
TWiT) Please give me your thoughts on drafting in triathlon. Legal or otherwise.
(PV) Making drafting legal in long distance triathlon would probably kill the sport. There are no strong teams, which would make it interesting concept (similiar to Tour de France). It would be mess… It would be interesting to see few races trying that format and observe, what would it do to the race itself and its participants. For other races, I would increase drafting zone to 15 meters for professionals.
(TWiT) Are there any social causes that you are involved in?
(PV) I participate at several charities connected to some IM races, I do. Few times a year, we as a family contribute directly to some local charities and I sponsor few kids races in the Czech republic.
(TWiT) Underpants Run, Boxer or Briefs?
(PV) Boxer.
I would like to congratulate Conrad Stoltz and Shonny Vanlandingham for their XTERRA
The frame is 30/24T high modulus carbon fiber that features the “LongBow Flex Stay Suspension” They have separated the seat stay from the seat tube and lengthened it to attach to the top tube. This should increase the shock absorption properties of the frame. The frame is also narrow, which means it’s pretty wind efficient.
Kate Roberts (the triathlete, not the soap opera star) is the best thing to come out of South Africa since carjacking (see below). She is known for her many magazine covers, her very stylish tri suits and her ability to get on the podium in international competition. She represented her country in the 2008 Olympics and looks to return in 2012 in London. She says in her bio that she wants to become a complete athlete. I think finishing the season ranked 7th in the world by ITU is pretty complete. As you will see below, her personality is as colorful as her uniforms. You can find out more about “Katie” on her website at 
(This Week in Triathlon) ITU uniforms are pretty boring. They wear black, or the wear black, or there is…black. You on the hand have taken to wearing pink or purple or both with leopard print. Where did you get the inspiration?
(KR) I am not one that likes too much attention (although wearing the colorful suits some people may disagree with that) but at the same time I think racing in a suit that makes you feel good and provides you with plenty of compliments is nice.
(TWiT) The course at the London ITU WCS race featured 9 speed bumps per lap. Did that put a little excitement into your race?
(TWiT) What are your goals for 2011 & 2012?
