Who is going to win Ironman Hawaii Next Weekend?

One more week until the biggest race in multisport, Ironman Hawaii.
But who is going to win?

Yes, you can play it safe on the women's side and go with the always dangerous Natasha Badmann. But I am hoping that Michellie Jones has learned from last year's 2nd place performance and is ready to lay a serious beating on the rest of the field.

So here is what she will do. Michellie will stay near the front on the swim, totally put the hammer down on the bike and come out with a monstrous double digit lead heading out of T2. She will then run sub 3:15 to prove to herself and everyone else she can run in Kona. Winning time will be 9:17 or sub 9:09 if it is not windy. After meeting and chatting with Michellie at Ironman Arizona this year, I am even more of a fan of hers. For someone of her stature in the sport, she is down to earth and really cool. So maybe this pick is a bit more from the heart. Go get 'em Michellie.

Here are my picks for top 5 Women:
1. Michellie Jones
2. Natasha Badmann
3. Kate Major
4. Lisa Bentley
5. Joanna Lawn
Sleeper Pick: Lori Bowden

Now for the men. As far as I am concerned it is a free for all. But my pick is Macca (Chris McCormack). I just want him to tear up the course and run in the 2:40's again. I love watching him race and if he pushes that bike a bit more and runs like he can, then the victory will easily be his. If he lets guys like Stadler and Al-Sultan go then he wont make that time up. If he doesn't sit back too much on the bike his finish time should be 8:25 or 8:12 if the traditional strong winds are not present on the Queen K.

Here are my picks for Top 5 Men:
1. Chris McCormack
2. Cameron Brown
3. Normann Stadler
4. Faris Al-Sultan
5. Cam Widoff
Sleeper Pick: Michael Lovato

That's it, now we just have to wait for the race next week on Saturday October 21, 2006.

Enjoy the wait, happy training (I've done a total of 2 hours of training this week so I gotta get back on the wagon soon), back again soon.

Hoss