Comments on: How does one get 4 penalties at Ironman World Championships http://www.ginakehr.com/2009/10/how-does-one-get-4-penalties-at-ironman-world-championships/ Professional Triathlete Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:23:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Marc Evans http://www.ginakehr.com/2009/10/how-does-one-get-4-penalties-at-ironman-world-championships/comment-page-1/#comment-173 Marc Evans Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:16:32 +0000 http://www.ginakehr.com/?p=382#comment-173 Gina- I of course, did not witness the circumstances you faced, but I know you as a competitor a person and to be sure, like so many others am "stunned" by these actions. To think you were so calculating to be drafting in this frequency means in reality that you must have been in violation the entire ride. Of course, that is not possible though in order to “catch” you this number of times means well, you were an “easy mark”. Everyone knows this is not true. A professional athlete no matter how audacious would not do this. Their needs to be a better way to enforce the rules (and clearer rules) and perhaps, someday there will be electronic and or gps systems in place to do this. In the interim, referee competency becomes most critical as professionals and amateurs alike have a lot at risk from their decisions. And therein lays an important consideration when certifying officials. I have coached more IRONMAN finishers than most over the last 25 years. And in the 80’s and 90’s some of the best in the world. Even then, drafting in Kona was a huge problem yet, in all of those years I never witnessed (I was on the course) an athlete drafting with such blatant disregard for other competitors or the rules. Yes, there were always one or two people, and of course, the lead vehicles definitely provided an advantage, but 4 penalties…are simply impossible. I wish this hadn’t happened to you. It is unfair and to be sure, IRONMAN should look very closely at this circumstance and make certain this never happens again. Marc Evans Gina-

I of course, did not witness the circumstances you faced, but I know you as a competitor a person and to be sure, like so many others am “stunned” by these actions.
To think you were so calculating to be drafting in this frequency means in reality that you must have been in violation the entire ride. Of course, that is not possible though in order to “catch” you this number of times means well, you were an “easy mark”. Everyone knows this is not true. A professional athlete no matter how audacious would not do this.

Their needs to be a better way to enforce the rules (and clearer rules) and perhaps, someday there will be electronic and or gps systems in place to do this. In the interim, referee competency becomes most critical as professionals and amateurs alike have a lot at risk from their decisions. And therein lays an important consideration when certifying officials.

I have coached more IRONMAN finishers than most over the last 25 years. And in the 80’s and 90’s some of the best in the world. Even then, drafting in Kona was a huge problem yet, in all of those years I never witnessed (I was on the course) an athlete drafting with such blatant disregard for other competitors or the rules. Yes, there were always one or two people, and of course, the lead vehicles definitely provided an advantage, but 4 penalties…are simply impossible.
I wish this hadn’t happened to you. It is unfair and to be sure, IRONMAN should look very closely at this circumstance and make certain this never happens again.

Marc Evans

]]> By: Carolyn http://www.ginakehr.com/2009/10/how-does-one-get-4-penalties-at-ironman-world-championships/comment-page-1/#comment-171 Carolyn Sun, 18 Oct 2009 09:07:11 +0000 http://www.ginakehr.com/?p=382#comment-171 Gina, I can't believe what happened to you. I first read about you in Jayne Williams' book, where she mentioned that you used to coach track for SVTC, back in 2004 when I was learning about triathlons. I've been keeping up on your results since, and it's always awesome to see your Top 10 finishes at Kona. I even met one of your clients from PAC at the start line of San Jose Rock 'n' Roll half marathon, where he mentioned that you were getting him ready for Big Kahuna, and I told him that I was looking forward to reading about how you'll do this year. I'm not a pro, I just do tri's for fun, but still -- what happened to you doesn't make sense, it's unprofessional and wrong because your record speaks for itself. I hope something positive will come out of this, I think they owe you for the time and training you took to prepare. I also agree to what was said above -- I hope you return next year to kick some butt! Best of luck, Carolyn Gina, I can’t believe what happened to you. I first read about you in Jayne Williams’ book, where she mentioned that you used to coach track for SVTC, back in 2004 when I was learning about triathlons. I’ve been keeping up on your results since, and it’s always awesome to see your Top 10 finishes at Kona. I even met one of your clients from PAC at the start line of San Jose Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon, where he mentioned that you were getting him ready for Big Kahuna, and I told him that I was looking forward to reading about how you’ll do this year. I’m not a pro, I just do tri’s for fun, but still — what happened to you doesn’t make sense, it’s unprofessional and wrong because your record speaks for itself. I hope something positive will come out of this, I think they owe you for the time and training you took to prepare. I also agree to what was said above — I hope you return next year to kick some butt!

Best of luck,
Carolyn

]]> By: Kristin Iavarone http://www.ginakehr.com/2009/10/how-does-one-get-4-penalties-at-ironman-world-championships/comment-page-1/#comment-169 Kristin Iavarone Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:13:06 +0000 http://www.ginakehr.com/?p=382#comment-169 Gina - I'm really sorry to hear about what happened in Kona this year. I was following the race online with my husband, Mike, and we were so excited as you moved up on the bike. We were cheering for you from Santa Cruz! I think everyone agrees about your integrity and high level of professionalism in this sport. It sounds like a complaint or some sort of follow-up could happen on your behalf, although I know that doesn't change the outcome. I hope you are looking toward next year and like you said above, remembering to "let it go." If you ever want a training partner, I'd love to train with you - and I definitely don't mind driving up to your area. Stay positive. Kristin Gina – I’m really sorry to hear about what happened in Kona this year. I was following the race online with my husband, Mike, and we were so excited as you moved up on the bike. We were cheering for you from Santa Cruz! I think everyone agrees about your integrity and high level of professionalism in this sport. It sounds like a complaint or some sort of follow-up could happen on your behalf, although I know that doesn’t change the outcome. I hope you are looking toward next year and like you said above, remembering to “let it go.” If you ever want a training partner, I’d love to train with you – and I definitely don’t mind driving up to your area. Stay positive.

Kristin

]]> By: eric http://www.ginakehr.com/2009/10/how-does-one-get-4-penalties-at-ironman-world-championships/comment-page-1/#comment-168 eric Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:19:18 +0000 http://www.ginakehr.com/?p=382#comment-168 I read on you twitter where it said DQ and I really had to look at it twice to believe it. Especially since it said 4 penalties. I thought no pro can get 4. I immediately knew somthing else was wrong. I felt so bad because I have read your blogs and twitters. I met you back in 05 when you were the asistant track coach at the Silicon Valley Tri Club ( your a great coach) I was at the San Jose Pro Challenge doing the Age group race and could see then you were in great shape ( looked like your best shape ever) so I know you have been training so hard. This whole penalty thing is BS and you deserved to be treated as a professional especially at a World Championship event. I read on you twitter where it said DQ and I really had to look at it twice to believe it. Especially since it said 4 penalties. I thought no pro can get 4. I immediately knew somthing else was wrong. I felt so bad because I have read your blogs and twitters. I met you back in 05 when you were the asistant track coach at the Silicon Valley Tri Club ( your a great coach) I was at the San Jose Pro Challenge doing the Age group race and could see then you were in great shape ( looked like your best shape ever) so I know you have been training so hard. This whole penalty thing is BS and you deserved to be treated as a professional especially at a World Championship event.

]]> By: Gina Kehr http://www.ginakehr.com/2009/10/how-does-one-get-4-penalties-at-ironman-world-championships/comment-page-1/#comment-166 Gina Kehr Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:30:53 +0000 http://www.ginakehr.com/?p=382#comment-166 Thank you Michael for the great response and for helping me to remember my moto... "let it go" All my best to you- Gina Thank you Michael for the great response and for helping me to remember my moto… “let it go”
All my best to you-
Gina

]]> By: Michael http://www.ginakehr.com/2009/10/how-does-one-get-4-penalties-at-ironman-world-championships/comment-page-1/#comment-165 Michael Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:02:55 +0000 http://www.ginakehr.com/?p=382#comment-165 I am very sorry to hear about your treatment on the bike course. It sounds like there were a lot of officiating problems by the sheer number of pro women who were getting carded. I've read other pro racers reports and they all seem to corroborate your story. It sounds like they were a little over zealous at the start and then the athletes were frustrated and then the officials took it personal and started taking it out on all the other athletes which just went into a downward spiral as the day went on. I look forward to your racing next year. Good luck and ...let it go.... Michael I am very sorry to hear about your treatment on the bike course. It sounds like there were a lot of officiating problems by the sheer number of pro women who were getting carded. I’ve read other pro racers reports and they all seem to corroborate your story. It sounds like they were a little over zealous at the start and then the athletes were frustrated and then the officials took it personal and started taking it out on all the other athletes which just went into a downward spiral as the day went on. I look forward to your racing next year. Good luck and …let it go….

Michael

]]> By: Holly Roberts http://www.ginakehr.com/2009/10/how-does-one-get-4-penalties-at-ironman-world-championships/comment-page-1/#comment-162 Holly Roberts Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:10:05 +0000 http://www.ginakehr.com/?p=382#comment-162 Gina, Oh, I am so sorry to hear this... I was so psyched that you appeared so soon on the bike and thought to myself that you were out for another great race! Later in the day, I was standing in the GU tent along Alii Drive with Brooke (cheering our heads off for you!) and wondered what had happened to put you so far behind. I cannot imagine your disappointment. To train this hard and come so far to be DQ'd under questionable "judgment" (somehow "air" quotes don't translate to written word. Bummer.). Should you pursue this and want help, please let me know. Seriously. I was standing in the grassy median on Palani Drive in the morning and was absolutely appalled at the lack of course marshals in that area. APPALLED. People were walking and running across the street directly in front of the athletes and yet I only saw TWO marshals in that last downhill block from the driveway to the corner. For a race as prestigious as this, for as fast as I know everyone was going (and how hard the TT bikes are to handle), and to only have a small amount of fencing and such few marshals? Completely inexcusable. It wasn't fair to the athletes to have to worry that some clown would walk in front of them going 30-35 mph downhill. All you should be worrying about on that downhill is executing the corner. Period. I know how mad it made me, and I wasn't even racing. I finally had to leave the area, as the chaos was just too much to take (my HR was super-elevated!). Anyway, for such an important race, there need to be more professional people involved in both marshaling and officiating. Sorry to hear your outcome, but you should totally come back next year and kick some butt. :o) Holly Gina,

Oh, I am so sorry to hear this… I was so psyched that you appeared so soon on the bike and thought to myself that you were out for another great race! Later in the day, I was standing in the GU tent along Alii Drive with Brooke (cheering our heads off for you!) and wondered what had happened to put you so far behind.

I cannot imagine your disappointment. To train this hard and come so far to be DQ’d under questionable “judgment” (somehow “air” quotes don’t translate to written word. Bummer.).

Should you pursue this and want help, please let me know. Seriously. I was standing in the grassy median on Palani Drive in the morning and was absolutely appalled at the lack of course marshals in that area. APPALLED. People were walking and running across the street directly in front of the athletes and yet I only saw TWO marshals in that last downhill block from the driveway to the corner. For a race as prestigious as this, for as fast as I know everyone was going (and how hard the TT bikes are to handle), and to only have a small amount of fencing and such few marshals? Completely inexcusable. It wasn’t fair to the athletes to have to worry that some clown would walk in front of them going 30-35 mph downhill. All you should be worrying about on that downhill is executing the corner. Period. I know how mad it made me, and I wasn’t even racing. I finally had to leave the area, as the chaos was just too much to take (my HR was super-elevated!).

Anyway, for such an important race, there need to be more professional people involved in both marshaling and officiating. Sorry to hear your outcome, but you should totally come back next year and kick some butt. :o )

Holly

]]> By: Rich/Angie/Richie http://www.ginakehr.com/2009/10/how-does-one-get-4-penalties-at-ironman-world-championships/comment-page-1/#comment-161 Rich/Angie/Richie Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:33:45 +0000 http://www.ginakehr.com/?p=382#comment-161 Gina, We all just read this and feel for you.... Your integrity stands true from your actions.... Your actions have spoken for themselves for 40 years..... well I can only account for 37, lol !!! Keep your head up! We love you! We'll talk soon! Rich Gina,

We all just read this and feel for you….
Your integrity stands true from your actions….
Your actions have spoken for themselves for 40 years….. well I can only account for 37, lol !!!
Keep your head up! We love you! We’ll talk soon!

Rich

]]> By: Chris http://www.ginakehr.com/2009/10/how-does-one-get-4-penalties-at-ironman-world-championships/comment-page-1/#comment-160 Chris Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:34:55 +0000 http://www.ginakehr.com/?p=382#comment-160 Gina, This is ridiculous, you must protest. And what more ridiculous is to hire unprofessinal persons/referres for such an event. Organization failed in that matter. Period. Keep us posted on what's going on with the process. Keep faith ... because we believe in you ! Gina,
This is ridiculous, you must protest.
And what more ridiculous is to hire unprofessinal persons/referres for such an event.
Organization failed in that matter. Period.
Keep us posted on what’s going on with the process. Keep faith … because we believe in you !

]]> By: Patrick http://www.ginakehr.com/2009/10/how-does-one-get-4-penalties-at-ironman-world-championships/comment-page-1/#comment-159 Patrick Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:48:17 +0000 http://www.ginakehr.com/?p=382#comment-159 Gina, Oh my God! I can't believe this happened to you. I'm stunned and pretty much at a loss of words. I'm going to keep my ears open around town. Will get back to you. I'm still shaking my head at this.... total disbelief. Patrick Gina, Oh my God! I can’t believe this happened to you. I’m stunned and pretty much at a loss of words. I’m going to keep my ears open around town. Will get back to you.

I’m still shaking my head at this…. total disbelief.

Patrick

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