Ironman legend Ken Glah was not surprised at the falloff in the numbers for this year's New Zealand Ironman.
Speaking after yet another top-20 finish, the two-time champion said the uncertainty created by last year's race - which fell foul of the weather - and the introduction ofIronman Arizona just a month after Bonita Ironman New Zealand had had an effect.
Glah, who brings a tour party Downunder each year to compete, said Americans were opting to go to a race they could drive to rather than having to fly.
That, coupled with the popularity of the 70.3 series (70.3 being the miles of a half-distance ironman), "is making it harder to convince Americans they should come here", said Glah, who won in 1992 and 1993 in Auckland and figured in the closest-ever finish - in 1990, when Finn Pauli Kiuri beat him by 1sec.
Ironman NZ race director Jane Patterson said that last year's disaster, which led to the cancellation of the swim and the shortening of the cycle and run legs, had been a factor but pointed to the recently-instigated Ironman Port Macquarie as another reason.
"They used to cap their field at 1500 but that has been lifted, as have the number of qualifying spots for Hawaii," said Patterson.
"Our Australian numbers have halved."
She too pointed to the 70.3 series in the United States.
"They had an inaugural world 70.3 championship last year which has had an effect on ironmans worldwide. They also offer good prize money."
She said the days of having a 75 per cent international entry were over.
