I just read their race reports and I can totally sympathize with their tales - mostly the tough-on-the-feet run from swim finish to the Transition area.

Although the athletes might be too nervous to notice, I thought the announcers in the booth up above the swim start were cool about making the atmosphere comfortable, they interacted with the swimmers in the chute, and really did make it a fun and exciting place to be.

From my perspective (I was at the staircase into the water), the water was relatively clean for being in a harbor. I saw very little seaweed and either I got used to it or the dead fish smell hadn't awoken yet...

Given my own events this summer, I was more than happy to watch and let others have their day in the sun!