World Championships...

So today is the big day. Not for me mind you, but for 2,000 plus athletes that have qualified...today is KONA. The world championships for Triathlon, at least at the Ironman Distance. It's the pinnacle of our sport, at least in my mind. Qualifying for the race can change your life, if you are a pro, winning the race puts you into a different conversation among peers and press.

So who is going to win? That's always the question. The tough thing to predict is that it's an Ironman! So many things can, and will, go wrong. Could be mechanical, nutritional, sickness, etc. Sounds like everyone is healthy heading into the cannon start this am so it should be on like Donkey Kong!!

My quick predictions...
* Chris McCormack - Won the race in 2007. Mechanical last year when he was having an off race to begin with. He looks solid and has shown good speed. He is probably the best runner in the field.
* Chris Alexander - First Ironman in 2007 he finished second to Macca. Last year he won by concentrating on his strength...the run.
* Normann Stadler - He showed last year that he is still a player. Cramps on the run due to a poor bike fit have been addressed. If he has a decent swim I look for him to attack on the bike and try and ride away like 04 and to some degree 06.
* Chris Lieto - Many say Chris doesn't have what it takes to win the big dance. He obviously has the swim and bike but has struggled on the run. So he spent a month training with Ryan Hall and Josh Cox. Unreal. Like Stadler, look for him to attack the bike and develop a lead. They might let him get too much due to his run history...
* Terenzo Bozzone - Lieto is my dark horse to some degree, that make Terenzo my unlikely pick. Young kid with tons of upside who took Macca, Marr, and others on and beat them in hot conditions in the phillipines 6 weeks ago 1/2 Iron length. He is a stud and can bring it.

Well, I have plenty of other thoughts on the rest, but must hit the bike for a century ride. Should be a fun day for me as well as all the athletes competiting in Kona! Congratulations and best of luck everyone!

-T