eye3md wrote:
Many other athletes I talked with this morning did not believe there were many sections with a favorable tailwind on the bike. Most were complaining about the headwinds from miles 40-55 and 85-100 (or somewhere along those lines). Also, felt like a crosswind the entire ride.
I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of drafting on the bike course. With it being so flat, I thought there'd be plenty. Next year, if there are twice as many athletes, the drafting may be more of an issue.
If you look at the swim times, there were a lot of 1:09 and up, even among the top folks. It was definitely slow. I was about 12 minutes slower than normal.
Temp was high 70's. Got into low 80's by most people's second lap. Winds were 8mph out of the east during the bike. Roughly 25% headwind, 25% tailwind, and 50% crosswinds yesterday (headwinds from miles you indicated). I biked one lap during the morning before the race (about 45min in front of the lead). Course was well marked. There is hardly ever any motor traffic out there (I bike it at least once a week, usually twice) so that is a plus. No technical turns and very few turns period. With that, winds can get mid 20mph gusting over 30mph easy. Temps have also been mid to high 90's easily during this time. As with any race, atmospherics play a big part on the speed.
50:05 was first out of water. He is a 50 minute swimmer. He had no issues and hit his time. 14 of the top 28 males were under 1:09. Not sure what you define as "top folks". I am not saying it was fast, but it was a manageable swim course from what gathered. It was a race with a high number of first-timers. Maybe this has something to do with slower times perhaps? Maybe it has to do with being so close to Kona, those age-groupers are in final prep for the WC and not at this one (also why no roll downs). With the easterly winds though, it would be hurting you as you went towards the bridge. On the flip side, it would be helping you come back to shore. I did not look at the tide chart so?
Drafting: after my ride (finishes in the middle of the lap box the racers were doing) I was driving home on the headwind section of the course. Only saw one pack of about 20 people working together. Real close together. Near the front so I assume this isn't their first rodeo. They know who they are because I politely encouraged them to play by the rules. Yes, that was me yelling at you to quit drafting. If they believe they were not drafting I can play the video my wife got of them for 1.5-2 minutes and unleash the hounds on you. Only real drafting I saw personally from the 20 or so miles I drove of the course to get to where I was going. I do not know if any in that group got a penalty. If I cared enough I would look at the video and get their numbers and look, but to what end?
I thought as an inaugural event it was done well. I look forward to seeing it progress.
Formerly TriBrad02