Perhaps the right decision that should have been made was to USAT
sanction this event. A USAT sanctioned event will require 1 kayak per
50 athlete for water safety, that probably would have saved someone's
life today. On wave 3 I noticed that there was only 1 power boat on
the side. I was trying to figure out how it'd be able to help someone
in need without having to tear other swimmers up with its propeller. A
USAT sanctioned event will require bike course patrol to create a safe
and fair environment for the athletes to compete in. I passed and got
passed by packs of riders that were drafting like this was a cycling
race. Not only is this illegal, but also it can result in terrible
crashed on the road as a result of people not being able to control
their bikes on aero position. We're lucky we had no casualties on the
bike. A lot of people were listening to music and no one was there to
say anything. It's a shame that such an amazing race is not USAT
sanctioned when USAT can provide so much benefits for the athletes and
a large insurance for the race directors.

Until Spudman becomes USAT sanctioned I'm going to stay out and pray
for those who get in to make it safe back home.

My condolenses to the family of the 60-year old man who didn't make it
safe back home today.

--
Kian Torab
kianabc@...
Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 26, 2008, at 7:26 PM, "Alice Schenk" <runnerschenk@...>
wrote:

> Although there are plenty of things that will make a Race Director
> frustrated, there are not many that will make him cry.
>
> But as I stood with Wave #7 of the Spudman Triathlon on Saturday
> morning at the golf course waiting for clearance to start the swim,
> Race Director, Scott Bloxham was facing a decision that had him
> momentarily (and rightly so) in tears.
>
> A tri-athlete in a previous wave of swimmers was struggling
> (possible medical condition we do not know at this point) and went
> under. The dive team was called to locate the body. Thankfully a
> couple of other swimmers actually saw him disappear and an immediate
> search of the water was started.
>
> All the tri-athletes (about 300) from Wave #7 were pulled from the
> water and asked to wait as the search continued 30-40 minutes. When
> the body was located the decision to either allow the tri-athletes
> to swim, or just have them do a duathlon (bike/run) needed to be made.
>
> That decision ultimately falls to the Race Director.
>
> Scott.my hat is off to you. It was not an easy decision as many
> wanted to swim and many felt that in respect to the family we should
> not get back in the water.
>
> You made the decision in favor of the duathlon and we walked to the
> bike transition area. Not everyone was pleased, but long ago you
> learned that you cannot please everyone.
>
> One wife is heartbroken today. If they had children, one family is
> missing a father and perhaps a grandfather.
>
> Scott, I thank you and the Burley Lions Club for all you do to bring
> this event to our area. I stand behind you in your decision. One
> that you were totally caught off guard by, one that you had to make
> alone and quickly and one that you never could have imagined you'd
> ever have to make.
>
> You have always endeavored to give your best to this event and today
> was no exception.
>
> ~Alice Schenk
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>


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