{"id":17554,"date":"2022-10-04T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-03T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=17554"},"modified":"2022-10-06T13:25:27","modified_gmt":"2022-10-06T11:25:27","slug":"state-of-play-when-the-big-island-is-just-not-big-enough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/2022\/10\/04\/state-of-play-when-the-big-island-is-just-not-big-enough\/","title":{"rendered":"State of play: When the big island is just not big enough"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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WHEN THE BIG ISLAND IS JUST NOT BIG ENOUGH<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

The Ironman World Championship in Hawaii has never been a cheap excursion, but its expansion to a two-day event in Hawaii raises concerns for its future <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n

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Cutting through the spin of tri to address the issues that matter, Tim is a sports journalist who has written extensively on triathlon for the national press. <\/p>\n\n

Kona, we have a problem. If it costs athletes around \u00a310,000 to take part in a world championship, then it\u2019s a world championship in name rather than substance. The Ironman World Champs has never been a cheap trip, but there has been an acceptance that travelling halfway around the world to race on a Pacific island with limited accommodation comes at a price. <\/p>\n\n

And given the financial investment to reach the level needed to qualify is already high, those wanting to race long-course triathlon have long seen it as part of the rub. Plus, diving with manta rays is kind of fun. But we might have reached tipping point. The pandemic has meant that with no Kona since 2019, qualifiers mounted, and Ironman expanded October\u2019s showpiece to two days \u2013 Thursday and Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\u201cWith limited regulation, landlords have taken advantage of demand\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

While this has benefits, including, hopefully, an improved women\u2019s race, it also puts more strain on the infrastructure of the small town of Kailua-Kona that now must host almost double the number of triathletes \u2013 more than 4,000 over the two days of racing \u2013 plus support crews. <\/p>\n\n

From many I\u2019ve spoken to, the sticking point \u2013 and most galling aspect of the cost \u2013 is the accommodation. Professional triathlete Joe Skipper pointed out as much with a social media post explaining why he might forgo Hawaii after his previously booked apartment was cancelled on him with the option of rebooking at three times the cost or looking elsewhere. Others have similar tales, particularly when using Vrbo, a booking platform similar to Airbnb that allows you to rent whole residences. With limited regulation, landlords have taken advantage of the increased demand to renege on bookings and hike prices up to fourfold the original. <\/p>\n\n

In one example, Michelle, an 18- time Ironman finisher who lives on Oahu, had her handy location on Ali\u2019i Drive cancelled. She\u2019s been travelling to Kona for the past 15 years, but is seriously reconsidering in the future. <\/p>\n\n

Costs are already circa \u00a3900 for race entry, \u00a31k-\u00a31.3k for flights from the UK, plus transfers, car hire and food. Some qualifiers explained how it will be the \u201ctrip of a lifetime\u201d; many turned down their spot; others were honest enough to admit they\u2019d paid up but were now regretting it. <\/p>\n\n

Ironman has already confirmed next year\u2019s World Championship will again be held over two days in Hawaii, but at what cost? There will always be super-rich individuals to fill slots, but if the majority of the best can no longer afford to go, will the rest of the best want to either? The result becomes a watered-down event that is more elitist than ever before. Hawaii is a golden goose they need to nurture. Or we know what happens.<\/p>\n\n

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TIM HEMING<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cutting through the spin of tri to address the issues that matter, Tim is a sports journalist who has written extensively on triathlon for the national press.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

MAIN IMAGE: DANIEL SEEX<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WHEN THE BIG ISLAND IS JUST NOT BIG ENOUGH The Ironman World Championship in Hawaii has never been a cheap excursion, but its expansion to a two-day event in Hawaii raises concerns for its future Cutting through the spin of tri to address the issues that matter, Tim is a sports journalist who has written 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THE BIG ISLAND IS JUST NOT BIG ENOUGH The Ironman World Championship in Hawaii has never been a cheap excursion, but its expansion to a two-day event in Hawaii raises concerns for its future Cutting through the spin of tri to address the issues that matter, Tim is a sports journalist who has 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