IRONMAN has taken a lot of shots from media and fans alike in recent years about the quality of its race broadcasts, but now it’s time for some good news.
In a move we absolutely do like, Sunday’s full-distance showdown in Cairns will include arguably the best play-by-play analyst in the sport.
Will McCloy, for many years the hugely respected voice of Supertri, steps up to full distance to join the excellent Matt Lieto and Craig Alexander to complete a lineup packed with potential. Reason alone to tune in for this latest Pro Series showdown.
We sat down with McCloy this week to talk about this weekend’s change of scene, how he has been preparing and the challenges he will face.
Race strategy, and storytelling
One thing to note before we go any deeper is how the team will share responsibilities on Sunday. McCloy will be out on the course filling the roving reporter role – providing insight and updates as the race progresses. Lieto and Alexander will handle play-by-play.
Something Will has enjoyed in the build-up is learning about new athletes and new narratives – this is a very different beast to the breathless funfest that is supertri. With a very different cast of stars.
He told TRI247: Study is going very well. This new gig has allowed me to learn about a whole new slate of athletes which is actually quite inspiring. There are some amazing stories among the pro contingent and it’s given me a whole new appreciation for the work they put in to make it to the start line.
“We have pro athletes who have been training while on a cruise ship, who have never done a triathlon other than full IM, and who are coming back from life-threatening injury. It’s these stories that really stand out to me – the human ones – not so much who has the best VO2 max or biggest training weeks. It’s those human stories that also motivated me to join Tim Ford as co-hosts of The Endurers Podcast.”
While the differences between supertri and full IRONMAN distance racing is huge, it does bring opportunity as well as challenges. Something McCloy is keen to emphasise.
“I expect it to be different to SuperTri in some ways, but just the same in others. SuperTri is fast and furious so there is a certain energy that brings, but there is variety in the action just as there will be on Sunday. A longer race and broadcast allows us as broadcasters to delve deeper into athletes and tactics, history and course specifics.
“I think I’ll enjoy that time and space. That requires an even deeper level of information, so I’m lucky that Craig and Matt are bringing so much Ironman knowledge, as are the whole broadcast team at Ironman, who have all been very welcoming.”
The voice of triathlon?
If you’re wondering why McCloy decided to take on this challenge – new format, new role, different brand – the answer is very simple.
“I decided to do it because I love the sport, I love racing myself, and being around it,” he admitted.
“I love a new challenge and the energy of event week. Every single race I watch I want to commentate. SuperTri. Ironman. PTO. World Triathlon. Challenge.
“I love all of it and I’d love to one day have the privilege of being a voice that people associate with triathlon as a whole. I try to do the athletes justice by researching them and telling the audience why they should be a fan of each athlete.”
Triathlon is not without its problems, with IRONMAN, T100, Challenge, World Triathlon and Supertri all competing for a piece of the pie in what is now a pretty fragmented calendar and landscape. That point around the calendar is definitely a situation Will would like to see improved.
Calendar concerns
“In terms of the sport as a whole, I’d like to see more co-operation. The introduction of Supertri and PTO have been great for the athletes, the level of broadcast and the sports wider profile, but I hope we soon mature enough as a sport to come together for the benefit of all parties and create a race calendar that maximises athlete benefits, TV numbers and sponsorships.
“The more people we can inspire to take on a race goal, or run a 5k, or just be more active, the better.”
While manning an IRONMAN broadcast will be a new frontier for McCloy on Sunday, he does have some experience of full-distance racing – he was lead play-by-play on that epic Sub7Sub8 broadcast in Germany three years ago when Kristian Blummenfelt and Kat Matthews blew our minds. There are very definite learnings he took from that.
“Sub7Sub8 taught me that the longer the race, the more pace is required in the structure of the television broadcast. We don’t want people to stay for 10 minutes, we want them to watch for as long as possible, and so they need to be gripped by the action.
“Sometimes the race delivers that, sometimes it doesn’t – so preparation is even more essential. I can’t wait, and I hope to do the sport and the work of all the team behind the scenes justice on race day.”
What about the races
While the broadcast will be a fascinating subplot to Sunday’s action, the actual racing should not be forgotten. McCloy is understandably excited by the prospect.
“I think will have some great racing with some wide open pro fields. The Pro Series has really upped the game, drawing athletes like Jackie Hering to Australia for the first time as she looks to make up for a DNF (her first ever!) in Hamburg.
“There are at least a dozen athletes who could win this on their day. Thats what you want. Also the course is superb. A true destination race.”
And finally to race picks, who does McCloy like when it comes to potential podium toppers on Sunday?
“I think it’s hard to go past Braden Currie and Kylie Simpson – so much experience in these conditions and course. But I wouldn’t bet against Nick Thompson (fastest Australian IM in history), Jamie Riddle or Regan Hollioake (3xIM wins in the southern hemisphere).
“I am most looking forward to seeing the IRONKIDS and the age groupers compete. Everyone who is willing to take on a long distance race has my respect, whether it takes 8 hours or 16.”
Start time, and how to watch
Sunday’s racing in Cairns gets under way at 0737 local time, which is 2237 Saturday in the UK and 2337 UK. If you are in the US, it’s 1737 Saturday Eastern Time, or 1437 Pacific.
You can watch the live stream on YouTube, but we’ll also embed it right here so you can enjoy without leaving TRI247.
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