Prestige Ulltra

[Garfield2010]

http://www.triathlonsa.co.za/Public/ViewEvent.aspx?id=217

 

Spectrum sport says it is not cancelled. TSA says it is due to money issues.

 

This should be interesting. Bring the popcorn.... and watch this space...........

 

 

PS:- Why can't we hold our own triathlon (or any race for that matter?) without any governing body wanting to make a quick buck?

[Seeker911]

Must admit the entry fees to some of these races is quite high especially considering current economics. On my budget I have to pick my races carefully. If I remember correctly JHB City triathlon was R450 * 824 = R 370k thats a couple of rand. And when they cancel the race I get ........

[Garfield2010]

Yep, after the Buffelspoort 70.3 I am done with long distance triathlon.

 

There are way too many politics, people who think they own the sport and the entry fees are crazy.

 

Going to do running as it is cheap and the people are nice especially considering the average type of roadbike/triathlon arseholes we have to deal with every weekend. (I own a Trek Concept TT Bike so that makes you an idiot mentality or the wetsuits are for losers kind of person, I also realised that a Pinnarello adds 3 inches on your penis size)

 

Will still do the BSG/SASOL series..................

 

bring it on

[Face Plant]

Guys let me assure you the race will be going on! i will give you more information once i have been cleared to do so

[B-Active Sports]

Garfield I could not agree with you more. There is alot going on behind the scenes in the triathlon fraternity that TSA is unaware of, but will be soon. The day Licence fees are ridiculous and the race levies are astromonical. We worked out that we could be paying TSA over R60 000 for our Midlands race... more then we will actually make.... who's sport is it anyway?

 

The Prestige ULTRA will go on, I can assure you that Louis will make it happen.

[Garfield2010]

If I may ask, what exactly will TSA do to earn the R60.000?

 

Seriously I used to do every race I could find, cant afford it anymore....

[Showtime]

If I may ask, what exactly will TSA do to earn the R60.000?

 

Seriously I used to do every race I could find, cant afford it anymore....

 

Very good question. I was doing 70.3 for fun. I'm not trying to qualify for the Olympics so why do I need to pay for this TSA accreditation?

[Showtime]

From the press release:

 

"As this event would have served as joint selection race for the TSA LD Team, the TSA selectors will, apart from the 70.3 Ironman results, also consider the results of Midmar Ultra and Buffelspoort Ultra Triathlon."

 

There are a handful of people who care about the TSA LD Team as supposed to hundreds of people who just do it as a form of enjoyment. So please B-Active if you guys can unite and fight this it would be much appreciated.

[Garfield2010]

Why are there selectors for the 70.3? Las vegas slots are given to the best athletes.

 

70.3 is not an olympic sport or anything?

[Face Plant]

there have been numerous discussions on the hub about costs of races and if you take into consideration that on average R120 of the race fee goes straight to TSA and then you have to pay salaries etc etc so at the end of the day it is not a high profit industry but it does beg the question what we get back from TSA for the amount of money that goes to them?

[Garfield2010]

Why not organise your own race? Make it wetsuit legal regardless and truly make it amateur friendly if I can put it that way.... Screw prize money.... With R60,000 ekstra you can organise one hell of a race!!!

[Garfield2010]

There had better be a bloody good explanation why I have to pay them R120 per race. I am shocked. This daylight robbery. TSA might just as well do small cash loans as well.

[mrmed]

Why are there selectors for the 70.3? Las vegas slots are given to the best athletes.

 

70.3 is not an olympic sport or anything?

 

And even if you do get a slot as an Age Grouper I don't believe TSA give you any help. But ........................

 

I just need to add that there are very few Triathlons every year and that may be the reason they cost so much in TSA fees. They do help Elite athletes with expenses, etc, to get to the LD Worldchamps and other events.

 

If they collect R 300 000-00 / year in race fees that doesn't go far in getting a few athletes to these races.

 

Consider the R 120-00 / race a donation towards getting our top fellow athletes to these events. I agree it shouldn't bankrupt the event, but it should be added to the entry fees. Maybe it could be voluntary?

[Dicky DQ]

So PPA is not so bad Hu?

[Garfield2010]

So to help our pro athletes compete overseas has caused me to not compete at all? Basic economics will kill the sport. What we need is more competition. Another body needs to look after the needs of the weekend warrior as well. I cannot afford it anymore. How many pros do we really have? 6 that needs going overseas? Remember that past Olympic distance you are on you own in any case. I might be wrong

[Big Ed]

Crazy, the race has been around for many years. Safety has never been an issue for me at Prestige Ultra. The same organisers have been putting together a quality event for years.

 

TSA seems to be trying to cash out on triathlon becoming bigger and bigger. I would certainly not attribute the huge growth over the past 3/4 years to the effort of TSA but rather Ironman/70.3 and local shops (Troisport etc).

 

Maybe time to get a controlling body that are sensible and actually cares about the sport (road running seems to be doing much better) to run our sport in SA?

Edited February 9, 2012 by Big Ed