I’ve been hesitant to write this blog because my fear is that it’ll come off as an angry rant and I want to avoid that.  Today, I read this article and it resonated with my thoughts and feelings on Kona.  AND my issues with the ever changing WTC policies – the changes that they make within the industry continue to raise the barriers to entry to the point of absurdity.  But I digress – let’s connect some dots for those of you that maybe newer to the industry.

WTC stands for World Triathlon Corporation.  WTC owns the Ironman trademark and Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.  WTC is currently owned by an equity firm that is pumping money into the sport so that it can sell for 10-fold in the next 5-7 year.  NA Sport (North America Sports), formally the owners of  the ‘classic’ Ironman races in the US were forced out of the industry by WTC (WTC payed large sums of money for the races.)  Within the past 5 years, WTC has streamlined operations.  WTC, also, owns Ironman 70.3 series, 5150, Irongirls, Ironkids and Lava magazine.

I could brush off the changes within the industry UNTIL this season.

I’ve struggled as a professional triathlete – operating at an economic loss, my own self-doubt in my athletic ability – all the while seeing progression in my racing, training, and efforts.  There has been a natural progression as I’ve taken steps within the industry.  I glamorized the industry while I was on the outside looking in – I had no idea the sacrifices I’d have to make to get to THIS point – second tier professional triathlete.

Over the past three years, WTC has changed the professional rules each season.  This year was an extra special slap in the face.  WTC created a ranking system, which will qualify 40 males and 25 females to race Kona in 2011.  The ranking system is based on points accumulated throughout the season at 70.3 and 140.6 events.  Frequency is key in this system.  The more a professional athlete races odds are in their favor that they will be higher up in the ranking.  Think of this from WTC’s standpoint, pros races more frequently means a better “show” for television coverage which will lead to better sponsorship, commercial spots, race coverage, etc.

Now, let’s jump on the other side of the table, and think about it from the perspective of the professional athlete.  The prize purse has not increased – nor does it go deeper, there is no travel assistance, no home-stay opportunities provided by the race organization, etc.  I don’t have sponsors throwing money at my feet for travel expenses – hotel, plane tickets, rental cars – time away from home means time away from work.  Most pros do not have sponsors throwing money at their feet.  Even if I thought I could realistically raise the $30,000 – $40,000 in sponsorship funds in order to afford travel/loss of work/the WTC program fee of $750, I would have a hard time justifying all that expense until I was actually operating at a profit within the industry.  In the 2 years I’ve been a professional in the sport, I’ve had 5 x top 10 Ironman finishes – 3 of which were payday’s, 1 of which I actually went home with more money than the cost of travel to event – Rev3 140.6 in Sandusky, OH.

SO I am grateful to have options.  I am excited to race the Rev3 series, support some of the local race directors – ga multisports, tri-ptc, tri4gold.org, etc.  This year, I am opting to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

My call for action – support GA multi-sport vs 5150, choose Peachtree International vs Irongirls, etc.  WTC is the walmart of triathlon charging Neiman Marcus prices and it WILL only GET WORSE before it gets better.

I’ll end with an excerpt from the article linked above – racing Kona as a professional is my goal.  ”The Good Fight is the one we Fight because our heart asks it of us.”  Kona has been my single-minded focus since my fathers passing.  It’s kept me moving forward, alive, and healthy.  I am forever grateful for the opportunity to chase my dream and to those that have helped in this journey.

“We must never stop dreaming. Dreams provide nourishment for the soul, just as a meal does for the body. Many times in our lives we see our dreams shattered and our desires frustrated, but we have to continue dreaming. If we don’t, our soul dies.”