Brand New WTC Rules for AGers...

Coach Patrick

Starts in Europe, but soon to come to the US....what do you think? 

http://ironman.com/program-will-start-by-recognizing-the-top-age-group-athletes-on-the-european-circuit#axzz1mIGYQWx2

I think this could eventually divide the AG field as well; as in those competing for a slot vs those just racing to complete an IM.  Like Placid last year when they told Kona hopefuls they couldn't wear a wetsuit, there were maybe 300 - 400 folks with no wetsuit, just 10% of the field, but they raced together.

I could see a point where folks had to "qualify" for an Ironman anywhere by completing a half within the last 12 months, etc, to bolster their brand.

Kevin Walter

I think its likely that they will start to use a points system for Kona qualification to encourage people to do multiple races, etc.

Swanie

Eventually Age Groupers will be on a points system much like the pro's and there will not be "slots" at the individual races. Those Kona slots will be dispersed based on points earned thoughout the system. The pro's don't seem to love the new system, but I don't think it will impact the majority of the athletes at most races.

Paul Hough

I would prefer a points system to the current slot system. The points system puts a little more emphasis on resiliency than a single top performance. I would have a better shot under that approach but I certainly understand the viewpoint for the current system which is more like the American olympic selection process for Track & Field...top 3 from the trials go -- period.

GMAN 19030

I'm with Paul. I'd prefer a points system for Kona or Vegas qualifying. I think it's moving in that direction. Yes, that would mean a lot of points chasing in the AG ranks but isn't that ultiamtely good for WTC from a business perspective? I'm never going to qualify for Kona but I could potentially snag a roll down Vegas slot if a near perfect storm of things happened (right race, weak field, near perfect race by myself, etc). Odds are that will never happen though especially since there are so few 70.3 slots available at races. I would possibly chase some points if it seemed doable.

mgraffeo

Not a fan of this. I don't think WTC needs to cater to the die-hard audience. They're going to do the races anyways. Catering to those getting into the sport/stepping up to the distance is their pipeline (half or more of every event is first-timers), and keeping the dream of "maybe some day I can qualify to Kona" out there is a carrot. Personally, I find the thought of having to chase points for Kona very demotivating...

jamison.gaddy

I think each of you is correct.  WTC has a lot of smart people working for them.  I'm sure they've done the math, sounds like a business decision.  MDOT has become centered around a buck, starting to get old. 

Matt Samojeden

Ok from a supply and demand view we currently have most IM races selling out within 30 min of the opening of online registration. So these marketing dynamics won't create any more IM racers as the events for the most part are all already full. Is this a way to push some of the IM players into doing shorter races that are not full to get points. This would net be more $$$$ for WTC.

This system moves the Kona measure from straight performance to a performance and quantity measure. For some this will be good, for others it is not. Will see how the customer base reacts!

GMAN 19030

Posted By Lynne Atkinson on 15 Feb 2012 04:25 PM

 However, if I'm not mistaken, this new program isn't just geared toward Kona, 

Not yet.  It seems decisions are moving in that direction.

jhbinsc

I'm in Mike's camp and not a fan but I think Matt hit the nail on the head. More 70.3 and 5150 races and thus more $$$ for WTC. Enough already.

tuckerm

Has anyone actually read more into this? It's a fustercluck. No way they would ever use this for Kona rankings. They'd screw it up something fierce. Obviously they just want to try to grow their 5150 series. Will it work, I doubt it. But WTC has made bad decisions before....

Rich_B

As a BOPer it does not impact me much so I'll still play the Kona lottery each year and hope. I do wish WTC would "auction" off say 100-200 slots to Kona each year (donate some of the $$$ to chariry like Foundation slots) and let the free market determine the value. As much as some people complain about WTC, they really could be much worse as it relates to squeezing people. Any company that can sell out its product in 15 minutes with ample addditional demand turned away, may actually have its product underpriced.

Paul Hough

@ Tucker - maybe they are trying to save the 5150 series. Although there are some quality races in the series, I don't think age groupers are likely to focus on it with the objective of making it to Des Moines...the "promised land" (with apologies to our midwest peeps). To the contrary, the series seems to be more effective at killing races than it does in attracting racers.

I guarantee you that despite WTC pronouncements to the contrary, the Clearwater 5150 will never be revived in the Nov timeslot...especially after the TriRock series grabbed the same weekend that WTC vacated (scheduled for Nov 11, 2012). And the canx Miami 5150 is not likely to ever return since the former organizers started their own 2575 sprint series and put the Miami 2575 into the same early March time slot.

It seems like everyone wants to start a series these days, but few people will travel for sprints or olympics if they have reliable options at home. If 5150 continues to bleed, maybe WTC will give up on it in the future and focus on long course where they have a comparative advantage. One can only hope.

meloapa

Posted By Paul Hough on 15 Feb 2012 07:23 PM

@ Tucker - maybe they are trying to save the 5150 series. Although there are some quality races in the series, I don't think age groupers are likely to focus on it with the objective of making it to Des Moines...the "promised land" (with apologies to our midwest peeps). To the contrary, the series seems to be more effective at killing races than it does in attracting racers.







It seems like everyone wants to start a series these days, but few people will travel for sprints or olympics if they have reliable options at home. If 5150 continues to bleed, maybe WTC will give up on it in the future and focus on long course where they have a comparative advantage. One can only hope.

Ding, ding, ding: we have a winner.  The 5150 series is the classic case of brand extension doomed to fail, because it gives up the comparative advantages that WTC has at the long- and ultra-distance races.  Even this move probably won't save it over the long term as the subset of would-be Ironmen who race at the pointy-end of these fields is comparatively small.

At the ultra-distance, WTC is still 2 or 3 races and markets away from reaching full capacity, so I am surprised they are not heading in this direction. (Example: there is no logical reason not to have a full IM-branded event anywhere on the east coast U.S. between NYC and Florida).

 

Joe Matchette

They are Jumping the Shark if they bring this to North America. As Paul points out, they have destroyed the 5150s they tried to takeover...and as Tucker so eloquently points out, WTC is known for bad decisions. Remember that $1000/VIP-thing they floated....