PSOF Championships 2013 - Challenge Henley

Why would they both be on the same day again?, i'm sure there is a simple answer but to me it's a shame as Seren says some will have commited to Wales already.

If I had to vote (if we were to change the Champs) then I would go for either Lanza or keep Henley whichever had the most entries but as has been said before, Henley will benefit from last minute decisions/entries

I just got the vibe that this was not a lot of peoples choice anymore ... we can wait and look again in the New Year say?  No need to rush to a decision

There may of course be an option to take Lanza & Henley and use a % of AG for the prizes and have a big prize giving social somewhere  

M...eldy wrote (see)

There may of course be an option to take Lanza & Henley and use a % of AG for the prizes and have a big prize giving social somewhere  

Not sure I like that idea, sounds a bit complicated and probably better to stick to one race otherwise it removes the element of people racing head to head.

Having read the recent comments and chewed it over in my mind its probably best to stick with Henley.  Its not the end of the world if only half a dozen take part, the prize giving maybe a bit lower key thats all.

Its been published as the the pirate championship long enough, if people want to take part theyll enter, if they dont then thats their choice.  As said there's a long time to go and id imagine at least a dozen will be there racing.

Suits me

Pretty likely that both events will have an awards ceremony afterwards, just one will be missing the shields, there'll still be mincers and lost in transitioners to be congratulated I'd think

I'll be racing at Henley. 

Bet I still win the feckin mincing award at IMW though! 

Gladys you would win the mincing award at Henley even if you were competing in Lanza

some of the guys I bike with did Henley this year..... When I catch up with them again i'll report back.

I was also wondering about what race to do late next year - ended up with IMW, a US one (but all sold out), or Henley....

Henley is not floating my boat for some reason, but at least I'll be able to get in...
Wales is an option, but not too many pirates seem to be going....

I'll sail where the boat is going.....

TBH I feel a little the same about Henley. It's a UK tri, so no big road trip feel to it, will not have a big expo, huge cheering crowds etc and there may not be thousands of pirates going so its up to us who are to make it what we want. If we scatter all over town, rock up at the last minute, head off first thing Monday it wont feel special, but if we take over a hotel or campsite, stivk together (within reason!!) eat and drink together before and after, it'll be great. 

We should sort out a date to recce the course together, do a few group events beforehand to take advantage of the fact its in the UK.

Do some or all of the above and I'll remember it as a great experience, which ultimately is what its about.

Think I will sit on the fence for awhile longer, on the reserve list for Outlaw so possible, IMW appeals, If I decide to only do a 1/2 it will be Henley. As to 2014, Sweden appeals but I suspect the water is truly freezing, friends who have done Copenhagen says its cold, so back to Vichy but that was seriously hot this year. 

Just an aside question as there already seems a lot thrown into the mix on this thread.  A load on here have been to IMCH. 

I'm trying to identify a 2013 european branded IM for a friend () that hasn't already sold out, what is their view on its value for money, atmosphere and level of difficulty?

OK you folks.

I think that I've just got a pretty negative response from SWMBO regarding Outlaw, so I'm now looking at popping my Pirate cherry at Henley. The date seems Ok, the location seems OK. There are a couple of points that I'd like to address.
-I can't see anywhere advising of the cost of the entry.
-I'm seriously worried about having to swim in the Thames. Especially the uphill half. For a slowish swimmer a little bit of current would mean that I don't actually make it to the turn round point.
-The website definitely says that "act of God and flood" mean that they keep your dosh. So if the river's going like a brown train, we lose & they win.

Nervous Newbie.

VT'd.

I cant fault any of the European IM races ive done, Switzerland is a well organised event in a good location, very good support on the course.  Id say level of difficulty is about average.

Swim is in a lake Zurich which is nice and clear.  There are some good hills on the bike (The Beast, Heartbreak Hill and Egg) but theres some good fast down and the roads are extremely smooth so makes for faster speeds.  Aside from the hills (which are nothing much to worry about) there is about 15 miles of pan flat each lap (2 laps) and the rest of the course is gently undulating.  Run is flat and goes around town, along the lakeside so lots of support.

Blisters, they would make it a Duathlon if the river was not safe. Not ideal but the same anywhere. Rivers a bit more prone, given currents and effluent/chemicals probably.