The hunt for equal Kona slots
There is a strong push to increase the number of female pros qualifying for Kona to 50, bringing the women’s field up to parity with the men. Many pros of both genders have voiced vocal support. If the thesis is that the depth-of-field, down to the fiftieth qualifier, is equally strong men and women, I disagree. But I do think the slots to the Big Dance on the Big Island should be equal.
In 2014 there were 54 pro men and 36 pro women at the start in Kona, and of these 37 male pros and 32 females finished. Under the current system 50 men and 35 women qualify, but with some athletes getting automatic qualification spots (Kona champions from the 5 past years, plus the current year 70.3 World Champions), and some athletes getting injured late, the final starting number is unknown until race morning. Still, it’s obvious fewer women start.
If gender parity is the goal do we add 15 more women or subtract 15 men, or agree on some other total? I argue for subtracting from the men’s field, as in my view some pro men should not be racing in Kona. Many men and, even at their lower number women, are field fillers. They have no legitimate shot at a top-15 spot. Yes, racing Kona is a benefit for the young athlete who benefits from the experience upon which he might draw down the road, but there is no such thing as sampling the Olympics, so why here?
The current system is, in part, driven by sponsors who only value a high finish in Kona, and thus want their athletes to be there to represent the brand. But how much promotional benefit is there when the athlete finishes 30th?
I ascribe to the view that the women’s field does not enjoy the same depth-of-field as does the men’s field. But this should have no bearing on the allocated Kona slots. Ironman calls this event a World Championship and wants it to be accepted as one, and as such it needs to fulfill its part. If it’s a world championship, equal slots are a requirement. If it’s a self-proclaimed championship, then the race can allocate slots as it wants.
But in a true world championship only the best toe the line, and the line would be amply populated by 35 starting spots each for the pro men and women, plus whomever ever automatically qualifies.
