TriNews with Thorsten: Race Recaps, Ironman CEO's Letter to Pros, Buildup to Kona, and More

We're excited to announce that we will be traveling to Hawaii this year to bring you coverage in the leadup to the Ironman World Championships on Sat. Oct, 11. We're thrilled to have on board with us Polar as the official title sponsor for Endurance Planet's 2014 Week of Kona Coverage. The latest and greatest pre-Kona triathlon news (plus an exciting announcement) with Tawnee and Thorsten (of trirating.com): Racing last weekend(s) ITU Long Distance Championships in China (4k-120k-20k) Podium Men: Bertrand Billard, Sylvan Sudrie, Cyril Viennot (all FRA!) Women: Camilla Pedersen (DEN), Kaise Lehtonen (FIN), Andrea Hewitt (NZL) - with a broken collar bone Notable Craig Alexander 5th (slower bike; but best run split), DNS by Melissa Hauschildt Ironman Mallorca Podium Men: Tim Don (GBR) 8:34, Miguel Fidalgo (ESP) 8:38, Mike Aigroz (SWI) 8:40; “only” 10th for Timo Bracht Women: Eimear Mullan (IRL) 9:24, Dede Griesbauer (USA) 9:27, Astrid Ganzow (9:31) Ironman Malaysia Podium Men: Patrik Nilsson (SWE) 8:41, Frederik Croneborg (SWE) 8:58, Karol Dzalaj (SVK) 9:15 Women: Diana Riesler (GER) 9:26, Keiko Tanaka (JAP) 10:00, Dimitry-Lee Duke (AUS) 10:02 Notable 5th for Beth Gerdes 10:15, DNFs for Luke Bell, Rebcca Preston Ironman Chattanooga Podium Men: Matt Hanson (USA) 8:12, Daniel Bretscher (USA) 8:19, Trevor Wurtele (CAN) 8:22 Women: Angela Naeth (CAN) 8:54, Ruth Brennan Morrey (USA) 9:09, Jennie Hansen (USA) 9:12 Notable 116-mile bike fastest IM distance swim (aided by current) 38:06 by Barrett Brandon; previous record: 39:08 by Luke Bell in New York Upcoming Races Challenge Rancho Cordova Ironman 70.3 Silverman Ironman Barcelona Rev 3 Anderson Other Triathlon News Letter by Andrew Messick to Pros: changes to the KPR for 2015 (5 races, max 3 IMs and 3 70.3s) 25 minute gap Pro women to AG in Kona 2015 (as in previous years, 20 min in 2014) no even slots for men/women in Kona (50+5+AQ & 35+5+AQ, on IM website) volunteer work for Kona Pros better online coverage promised limiting discussion on social media Tightening of “validation” rules: “Former Ironman World Champions using their Five Year Exemption will be required to validate their Ironman Championship entry by racing competitively (as determined by IRONMAN in IRONMAN’s sole discretion) and finishing at one Pro-Qualidying IRONMAN Race during the Qualifying Year” Open Letter by Pete Jacobs. Kona News Check out Thorsten’s FREE Kona Rating Report (donations accepted to support his hard work) Submit your own Top picks at IM-Predictions.com for a chance to win free race entries to Challenge Roth, IM Sweden, Challenge Almere or Challenge Bahrain Injuries: - Peter Robertson: out after breaking his collar bone - Mel Hauschildt: Still dealing with her torn pec tendon (had to skip ITU LD)