Tom Ziebart talks to Slowtwitch

Mother nature and safety concerns caused the organizers of the 2008 Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 triathlon to change the race to a duathlon. We followed up with race director Tom Ziebart to find out more about the decision and related topics.

ST: The 1.2 mile swim at the 2008 Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 event was replaced with a 2.1 mile run. Can you tell us about the circumstances?

Tom: Lake Michigan surf conditions on Saturday morning were too dangerous for a swim to take place. This is the first time in six years of the Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon that we had to cancel the swim. We have always had the back-up plan of a 2.1 mile run if the swim was cancelled.

ST: Where is the fine line between what racers want versus what is important in terms of safety?

Tom: No – no line what so ever. Safety is the most important thing at the event.

ST: As the race director, do you have guidance from the WTC how to handle these matters?

Tom: No, the WTC expects us to produce a first class event. They work with race directors and organizations that have a history of producing good events. They allow us to make our own decisions based on our experience.

ST: Do you think we have more racers today attempting 70.3 events and Iroman races that really aren’t ready for the distance?

Tom: We have more athletes, but I have no idea if we have more athletes that are not ready for the distance. I would hope that if someone signs up for a Ironman 70.3 race that they are prepared to do and finish the race. Well, I’m sure some athletes were not ready and decided to stay home as we had over 500 no shows. Of the athletes that did show up, I have no idea if they were ready or not to finish the race.

ST: Should there be some kind of qualification process to race events longer than Olympic distance?

Tom: No, it should be an athlete’s choice what race they want to enter and the distance.

ST: Did you have many triathletes approach you about the swim cancellation and complain?

Tom: Not one person came up to me during or after the event to complain about the swim cancellation. Everyone I talked to was disappointed, but understood the situation.

ST: With the run instead of the swim, the athletes surely must have been bunched tighter together and increased transition traffic and drafting. What did your team do to combat this?

Tom: We started the athletes in waves – same waves as they would have started the swim. The first run spread the athletes out and the bike course as very well marshaled.

ST: How many races are you handling these days?

Tom: I’m the Race Director for the following events – Florida’s Great Escape Triathlon, Ironman 70.3 Florida, The Lake Louisa Sprint Triathlon Series (6 Events), Ironman 70.3 Kansas, The Firecracker Triathlon, The Grand Haven Triathlon and the Whirlpool Ironman 70.3 Steelhead Triathlon.

I also help out at the following triathlons around the country as a race announcer and event coordinator – Ironman Arizona, Ironman CDA, Ironman LP, Ironman Canada, Ironman Wisconsin, Ironman Florida, Ironman Kona, St. Anthony’s Triathlon and Athletes for a Cure Triathlon.

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