2012 Ironman Entry Options

I put together  a quick table to get a better idea of what my options are for doing another full IM in 2012 (Current as of the date of this post).  China, Korea and Japan no longer host IM races so this leaves me with very tough (and expensive) choices considering that I'm based in Hong Kong.

I'm thinking Texas or Switzerland.  This coming year the family decides my racing plan so let's see what they decide!

Ironman 70.3 Taiwan

Game time again. 小心台灣，神經病的老外馬上到啦!

Ironman World Championship

Here's my guess on the final result in Kona this year:

Men:
1. Andreas Raelert
2. Craig Alexander
3. Marino Vanhoenacker
4. Faris Al-Sultan

Raelert has last year's result eating away at him for 12 months.  He will not compromise anything this year.  I figure he will follow shortly behind Craig as he eats away minutes from Lieto and Vanhoenacker and then take the lead to finish in the last 6K.  Faris isn't gunning to win (even though he should be) and will place high just from the lack of pressure and general enjoyment of racing fast.

Women:
1. Mirinda Carfrae
2. Caroline Steffen
3. Chrissie Wellington
4. Julie Dibbens

Chrissie is a IM god but I don't think it is meant to be her year in Kona.  That recent crash will slow her down on the bike and run just enough to open the door for Mirinda to smash through to the finish with a sub-2:40 run.  Caroline will finish just seconds in front of a suffering Chrissie.


Ok, so all of the above is generally a load of crap because anything could happen on race day.  I'll be glued to ironmanlive.com and would really like to see Faris and Granger step it up and take the top of the podium (although I can't pick them as winners due to their recent interview statements indicating they are a bit laaa deee daaa this year.)

Will be a good show.

Good luck to all racing.  Smash it.