By Clint Lien
Oct. 10, 2007 -- I’ve noticed this year has been woefully light on predictions. It’s like no one wants to go on record with who they think is going to perform this Saturday.
I like predicting. I like asking others their opinions. I like reading the opinions of the “experts.” I know I’m not the only one.
But this year there’s been a deafening silence on the matter.
That might have something to do with Normann’s anger at Reid last year for suggesting he didn’t think Stadler could run fast enough to win again. Normann took the statement as a personal attack against his mother or something and is still pissed. Whatever the reason there hasn’t been the regular barrage of predictions from the pundits or athletes.
I asked Michellie yesterday who she thought would come second. She said she was going to wait until she finished and then look at the situation. That’s taking a chance!
I asked McGlone the same question. She was quick to answer – “Badman. She’s got something to prove.” The lady wins six times and she’s still got something to prove?
Tough room. But I had to agree with Sam on this one. Last year’s race was not a reflection of what Natasha can still do here in Kona. I think she’ll crush.
Peter Reid, not the least bit gun shy from his experience last year, was quick to weigh in when I chatted with him earlier today. Did he have an opinion? Of course.
For the men – Beke, Macca and Tim.
For the women – Badman, Sam and… wait for it – LINSEY CORBIN.
He’s definitely bucking the trend a bit there.
For myself, I’ve already stated I think Natasha will take the blue ribbon. I’ve got McGlone next and Jones third.
I wasn’t going to pick Jones this year – until I saw her a few times here in Kona. She’s looking strong.
For the men I’m inversing PR – DeBoom, McCormack and Beke.
With the exception of Reid’s Corbin pick, we all played it safe. The Corbin pick is a dark horse in the truest sense – and in the end, the only one that will be remembered if Linsey comes anywhere near the podium.
I thought I better try to raise my game a bit and walk further out on the branch.
And what did I find on the outskirts of the tree?
Zyemtev and Cave. You heard it here first.
Of course there is one place you can always count on for an opinion and that’s slowtwitch. It didn’t take me long to find the thread.
Someone had offered a popsicle or something if they could guess the winners of this years race. Within about twelve minutes a hundred and eighty people had responded.
Shockingly they played it pretty safe over there as well.
Voting for the women went like this: MJ – 54
Badman – 26
McGlone – 23
Ficker – 18
Bentley – 10
For the men: Macca – 54
Stadler – 28
DeBoom – 13
Faris – 11
Alexander – 10
Beke – 10
I must admit I was a little surprised to see the votes for Jones more than double the votes for second place Badman and almost the same for McCormack over Stadler.
Look at the esteem rookie McGlone has earned from the tough crowd over there.
And why no love for Cam Brown? I think he’s earned it. He got only 4 votes. There was even one guy who agreed with me on Zyemtev and another who agreed Cave will take it. I think they both qualify as dark horse picks none the less.
So there, the ball is rolling. Come on pundits, weigh in! It’s a sporting event! Let’s see some of you taking some chances. Someone bet on Jasper Blake! Put it in writing and put it out there!!
Let’s crack a community beer and argue over this thing!
Check out Clint's first 'Inside the Pro Scene' column
HERE