Kona Weather

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) - Weather could be a big factor for the more than 1,800 athletes registered for Saturday's Ironman triathlon world championship.

"It's been windier and warmer than in years past," said Rutger Beke of Belgium, who finished fifth last year. The stiff trade winds are forecast to lighten a big on Saturday, but could still be stronger at the northern tip of the Big Island, said Ray Tanabe, a forecaster with the National Weather Service's Honolulu office. Winds there can be "more squirrely and variable," he said


*AP is Associated Press