Ko! Ko! Kona? The lure of Big Island causes Sam Long to turn around his IRONMAN Frankfurt race – Elite News

The IRONMAN World Championship in Kona is suddenly back on the agenda for Sam Long.

Only a few days ago, the American star had virtually ruled out taking part in the biggest race over the full distance.

His “only chance to qualify” came at the end of last season at the IRONMAN Maryland, but third place was not quite enough, as only the top two were able to secure their places.

Unexpected last minute opportunity

The last opportunity was the IRONMAN Frankfurt this Sunday, but demand was so high that Long was only on the waiting list – even at his new, second training location in Trieste, Italy, where he is focusing firmly on the middle distance and in particular the lucrative T100 series.

In a recent conversation with Bob Babbitt on Breakfast With Bob, embedded below, Long admitted, “I still really, really wish I was racing Kona this year.

“I knew I only had one chance and I failed, so I have to live with not being in Kona.

“I couldn’t schedule another qualifying race, that’s the reality of the calendar.”

The calendar is packed, with the PTO’s T100 and the IRONMAN Pro Series – and Long has already competed in seven races.

He has two victories – IRONMAN 70.3 St George and IRONMAN 70.3 Pucon – and second places at the T100 in Singapore and Miami put him third in the overall standings.

“Opinions are like assholes”

But then the news came that a starting place at the IRONMAN Frankfurt had become available – and with it a fantastic opportunity to qualify for Kona.

At the so-called IRONMAN European Championship, no fewer than six places are at stake and despite the huge starting list, no fewer than 17 of them have already booked their flights to Hawaii.

However, that doesn’t mean it will be easy for Long. Quite the opposite, as he openly admits that his preparation is unconventional.

“I want to go to Kona – ‘literally anything is possible’ is the attitude this week,” he said on his Instagram page.

And he followed it up with a cryptic message, as oddly enough some people seem surprised by this change of heart, rather than celebrating another big name on a stellar entry list that also includes Kristian Blummenfelt’s IRONMAN return after the Olympics.

Back on Instagram, Long said: “As the saying goes… opinions are like assholes and everyone has one.

“I really appreciate all the comments on this.

“I don’t have the time or energy to explain right now. After the race I will probably explain the realities behind these decisions. What may seem like erratic decision making is actually very thorough considerations about what is most important for the future of my career and the success of my family. The external variables around me are changing and I am forced to adapt to these things. Evolve or perish!

“Oh, head down, TT hands up. It’s time to get this over with.”