Morning folks! Today's topic the womens race! Super excited to watch. Think its going to be an awesome race. Who are your picks?
Rinny is my pick of course. Hard not to pick her when i have been her "bitch" for the last few weeks. But even if i put the emotion aside, i think she is so tough to beat out here in Kona. She is made for the heat, and loves it...thrives in it. I keep telling her that i really think she is going to surprise herself this year on the bike. She she seems nervous, but thats a good thing...a little unsure even. Regardless if she runs like she has in the past, i think she will win. The other girls will make her work harder than ever before though
I think Caroline will ride quite alot quicker than anyone else. She is a phenominal cyclist. Has great skills, a great position, and just knows how to ride a bike. I will be surprised if she doesn't have at least 5-10mins coming off the bike into T2
I really dont think having a womens seperate start wille have an impact on the swim. Typcially all the girls have guys to swim with...so they are all getting a benefit. I expect to see the time differences being similar out of the swim, but w all girls possibly swimming 30secs to 1 min slower.
I think Caroline will need 13mins plus to be in contention for the win. It really could come down to the wire, cos that is very achievable
Rachel has been in awesome shape all year. Leading up to it i really thought she was a sure pick for top 3, and if she had "her" day could have a legit chance at winning. The big question mark is the sickness that she picked up this week. She was feeling pretty shit earlier in the week. Hopefully it is out of her system and the enforced rest has helped her because i would love to see another Brit be in contention for the win. GBR GBR GBR ;)
Leanda aka Big bird...aka superbird...aka a 3x world champ, should be right up there as well. She should in Vegas, once again, that her form is coming around at the right time. She i think, is a confidence athlete...when confidence is high she races great...when low, she is out of the picture. And after her win at Vegas she is on the up, so i will be shocked if she is not top 5.
Anja Beranek is a darkhorse. I dont think she has the potential to win, but she could upset a few people for sure. She came 2nd to caroline in frankfurt i believe, and i'm not sure if she has raced here before. But she should be up there on the swim and bike, and there could be a few girls wondering who the heck she is
I dont think this is a surprise but i expect MBE to be a true contendor for the win. She's won 5/6 IM's that she has started! She also is a little pocket rocket that should do well in the heat. I wouldn't be surprised if she won...i still put Rinny or Caroline ahead of her...but i def wont be shocked if she pulls off the upset
One other american who could do great is Kelly W. With her run she has the potential to be right up there and could be one of the 3 girls tha ti think could run under 2:50 (her, rinny and Caitlin). My big ? over Kelly is how she will handle the bike if its windy....not sure if she has the strength to be in contention if the wind picks up
I think the benefit to not having Chrissie on the startline is on the mental side of things. This year 5-6 of the girls think they legitimately have a chance of winning. Whereas in the past i think a few people thought they could win...but only if they had the perfect day. This is a huge difference, and you can see it in the girls approach to the race. Its a huge opportunity....
and yes my spelling sucks
I think Linsey could sneak into the top 5 but needs to have a great swim. Shes said it herself, the race is so competitive now you can't give up 5-10mins on the swim, and expect to be in contention.....unless u have a serious weapon like rinny or chrissie. Linsey's strength i think as an athlete is that she is solid bike runner....but to be in the top 5 this year i think you either need a serious weapon (like KW) or need to be solid all round
I dont think it has been as hot. It doesn't feel as hot...but i haven't been running (boo to that), and thats where u really feel the heat. It's still humid as all heck, and you sweat like a bad mamma jamma just walking around. Some of the smaller girls seem to excel in the heat, like Rinny, MBE, Kelly, as well as those that are the most effiecient at running
I think there are only 5 girls that can truely win the race. Rinny, CS, LC, RJ and MBE. On their day, anyone can be crowned the new Queen of Kona. There are plenty of girls that can sneak into the top 5 or onto the podium....but winning...only out of these 5.
Thanks for tuning in. It;s been fun...oh and my fav cookie....i love all cookies, but toffee crunch carole's cookie is no 1 fav
@TriathleteMag RINNY ALL THE WAY! cc @MirindaCarfraeby apkussma via twitter 10/12/2012 6:55:25 PM
@juliedibens @triathletemag who's your pick for faster bike split?by crimson485 via twitter 10/12/2012 7:00:10 PM
“@TriathleteMag: Rinny, Steffen, Cave, Joyce, MBE--who you got at the #Ironman World Championship?”on paper-Steffen, Joyce strong, MBE tooby kayeman via twitter 10/12/2012 7:02:21 PM
@TriathleteMag & @juliedibens why is @linseycorbin not in top 5 predictions? What is wind like today? & what do u think run time will win?by teampanella via twitter 10/12/2012 7:22:55 PM
love @juliedibens ..... can't wait until she's back! t.coby gillianliz via twitter 10/12/2012 7:24:19 PM
@juliedibens @triathletemag how's the weather compared to previous yrs? Out of the ladies who will fair the best in the heat?by kristindeaton via twitter 10/12/2012 7:25:29 PM
