Kona 09 Tuesday

The Team Commerzbank breakfast at Lava Java jump started Tuesday and the Slowtwitch / Retul bike lounge at the Sheraton filled out the day until the Parade of Nations. As the Parade came to a close the Expo and Bike Demo area were jam packed with athletes, friends and families.

Normann Stadler looked very calm and relaxed during the Commerzbank Team breakfast at Lava Java.

2008 Ironman Hawaii 8th place finisher Mathias Hecht is looking to step up a few spots in 2009.

The SRAM guys were busy well before the Expo and Bike Demo area opened up officially.

It is highly unlikely that someone is trying to steal the hats and baskets of this guy.

The stunning view from the Slowtwitch / Retul bike lounge at the Sheraton.

Many bike fitting sessions were set up and quite a few Pros showed up to have their bike coordinates recorded.

Joanna Lawn has a chat with a couple testing out the NormaTec boots in the Slowtwitch / Retul lounge.

This is a diagnostics kit for Shimano's electronic shifting.

Shimano's Tommy Magrath working on Craig Alexander's bike in the Slowtwitch / Retul lounge

Dustin Brady of Shimano has Craig Alexander's race back wheel in his hands. For the front Crowie will be using a tubular 50mm wheel.

The blueseventy house where the Slowtwitch gathering takes place on Wednesday at 3pm.

Would there have been a CEP booth in the expo if the ban had stayed?

Chris Legh with his Intense Spider FRO is ready for another XTERRA World Championships.

The Fizik underwear for Thursday's Underpants run is very limited and if you want to snag one of them you better see Suzette Ayotte of Fizik very soon at the Cannondale booth.

Tim Johnson, the man who caught Finman in the act at the 2008 Ironman Florida, with the confiscated fins on his feet. They will be auctioned off in the Blazeman athlete auction, so that something positive will come from them.

Late afternoon paddle boarders enjoy a very peaceful session with nature.

A dropped skirt in the Mike Reilly and Bob Babbitt float almost brought the Parade of Nations to a halt.

An emergency surgery had to be performed to get the float going again.

This custom fairing on this French athlete's bike looked very clean.

The bike that had a lot of interest was this tiny Trek TT bike under Trek Advanced Composites engineer Mark Andrews.