An Ironman Wish List

Which short course stars would you like to see move up to Ironman?

With the glow of the 2011 Ironman World Championships finally dissipating a little, the Inside Triathlon magazine staff got to thinking a little about which short course stars we’d like to see move up to Ironman in the near future. Here’s what we discussed. Disagree? Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/insidetri or Twitter @Insidetri to let us know what you think.

Liz Hichens, Web editor of Insidetriathlon.com: Olympic gold and silver medalist Simon Whitfield has been very candid on his blog that he believes the best triathletes in the world compete in the ITU. I’d love to see how he fares against the top Ironman athletes at their distance.
Follow Liz on Twitter @Lizhichens.

T.J. Murphy, editorial director: U.S. Olympian Laura Bennett has ferocious talent and, according to her husband, Greg, is the hardest working triathlete alive. She would be a great bet to get the USA back on the podium.

Aaron Hersh, contributing editor: Those are both great choices, but short coursers who have had the most success in Kona have moved up in distance at a relatively young age. Two-time ITU world champion Javier Gomez has been one of the best ITU racers for years and has had success at the Los Angeles Triathlon, which is non-drafting, yet he is only 28. He’s the one I want to see in long course.
Follow Aaron on Twitter @Triathletetech.

Murphy: To you, sir, I say, “Michellie Jones!”

Courtney Baird, editor-in-chief: Reigning ITU world champion Helen Jenkins’ engine is among the best in the world and she’s able to handle all types of weather, courses and race strategies.
Follow Courtney on Twitter at @Courtneybaird99.

Jené Shaw, contributing writer: After 2010 70.3 world champion Jodie Swallow’s impressive jump from ITU to 70.3, I’d be curious to see if she could “pull a Dibens” better than 2009 70.3 world champion Julie Dibens.
Follow Jené on Twitter @Trimagjene.