Seeing the passage of road in question on Lionel's 70.3 video, it's hard not to feel frustrated for him, especially getting a visual of what that stretch of road looks like. To pass without crossing the (invisible) centerline, it looks like one would have to ride wildly close to the riders they're passing.
Kelly, I heard something on a podcast that I'm hoping you can confirm and/or clarify: That Ironman uses local volunteers as referees, even at the world champion events. Is this actually true? Because my jaw dropped at hearing this. I tried googling for information and came up with categories of referees and some vague qualifications and such, without a lot of solid information. If it's too much -or too loaded- for a comments section, I certainly understand. Thanks!
In short, it varies by region, but yes there can certainly be volunteer or pseudo-volunteers out on the course officiating. That doesn't mean they're just random volunteers -- like, you couldn't sign up for that shift -- they do have to go through trainings, have worked other events, etc, get briefed by the head ref (who is an employee). And, I'm sure the actual financial compensation specifics depend on the location and the pool the RD has to draw from of competent local trained officials. But, no, it's not like being a triathlon official is a full-time job or even a part-time job. (I mean there are volunteer lifeguards and volunteer doctors at World Champs, too!)
Honestly, one of the things I keep circling and circling and circling around lately is that the fundamental underlying business model we take for granted is actually incredibly subsidized and relies on a lot of people working below-market-rate & buying into the vision. And that's fine when it works, but I think in this push to 'become a real pro sport' (and for a number of other larger economic reasons) that's changing and it's going to be something that ultimately has be reckoned with
Seeing the passage of road in question on Lionel's 70.3 video, it's hard not to feel frustrated for him, especially getting a visual of what that stretch of road looks like. To pass without crossing the (invisible) centerline, it looks like one would have to ride wildly close to the riders they're passing.
Kelly, I heard something on a podcast that I'm hoping you can confirm and/or clarify: That Ironman uses local volunteers as referees, even at the world champion events. Is this actually true? Because my jaw dropped at hearing this. I tried googling for information and came up with categories of referees and some vague qualifications and such, without a lot of solid information. If it's too much -or too loaded- for a comments section, I certainly understand. Thanks!
Hey, I decided to answer some Nice-related reader questions today: https://www.triathlonish.com/p/things-to-know-about-nice
In short, it varies by region, but yes there can certainly be volunteer or pseudo-volunteers out on the course officiating. That doesn't mean they're just random volunteers -- like, you couldn't sign up for that shift -- they do have to go through trainings, have worked other events, etc, get briefed by the head ref (who is an employee). And, I'm sure the actual financial compensation specifics depend on the location and the pool the RD has to draw from of competent local trained officials. But, no, it's not like being a triathlon official is a full-time job or even a part-time job. (I mean there are volunteer lifeguards and volunteer doctors at World Champs, too!)
Honestly, one of the things I keep circling and circling and circling around lately is that the fundamental underlying business model we take for granted is actually incredibly subsidized and relies on a lot of people working below-market-rate & buying into the vision. And that's fine when it works, but I think in this push to 'become a real pro sport' (and for a number of other larger economic reasons) that's changing and it's going to be something that ultimately has be reckoned with
About the Tough Mudder, 🤢🤮🤢🤮 Also, I learned that Rico's coach is Joseph Spindler who is one of my former teamTBB teammates!! 2 degrees of separation!