Indio22 wrote:
I raced in IMWI 2014 and 2016 and volunteered in a kayak for this year's IMWI 2017. Here are my takeaways of the new staggered swim start:
Pluses:
1) I was stationed in my kayak directly across from Monona Terrace, so I couldn't see in detail the start. But it seemed like the staggered start eliminated the problem I saw in earlier mass starts, when people were still in line on shore getting into the water when the cannon went off.
Minuses:
1) The staggered swim start messed things up in terms of the race cut-off points, making things more difficult for slower participants. It led to some people thinking they finished within the overall 17hr time limit when they did not. The race organizers need to figure this out for next year. Example, a participant I knew crossed the finish line at 11:51pm, got the medal, heard the "you are an Ironman" thing and all. Thinks she is a finisher. But because her swim started at 6:45am, her overall time was 17:06. So I think she will not be considered an official finisher. I think some people will not be happy when they find this out. (And I noticed Ironman still does not have the results for the race on their site - wonder if they are trying to figure out the dq/dnf's?)
2) Staggered swim start caused cutoff issues down stream. I was at the bike finish point and staff were not sure of the correct cut-offs. They were going to have a staggered 5:30pm and 5:35pm cut-off, until I informed them there were more than two waves, and if they were going to cut people off based on start time, they better re-think things, quick! They ended up letting some people through after the 5:35pm cut-off. Not sure when they finally stopped people. But it was confusing.
3) Staggered start doesn't allow max time to get warmed up and acclimated to water and position. Personally even as an average swimmer who doesn't take tris as seriously as some persons, I prefer the prior mass start. Because I was able to get into the water maybe 20 minutes before the start, leisurely warm up swimming out to the furthest buoy past the ski ramp, and hang out floating in the field position I wanted, just back past the faster swimmers. (Figure I cut off a few pool lengths of the race compared to the swimmers starting near shore.) Then I employed my strategy of drafting off persons who were going the speed I wanted, while also using them as blockers. I finished the 2016 swim in 1:27 with only 2 weeks of pool training and a borrowed wet suit. And I was fine with that felt great.
Summary: My vote is for the mass start, because it is an awesome sight to see, and because I think it is actually easier for non elite persons like me. And seems easier for folks concerned about cutoffs. And the racer knows if she/he gets past that finish line at 11:59:59pm, then "you are an Ironman" really means you are an Ironman!
Thank you for your insight as a volunteer in the water. Do you think the wave start decreased saftey issues as intened?
In terms of your 1 plus, I respectfully disagree. If Ironman gives athletes 20-30 minutes to get in the water, where there is frankly plenty of space, & you don't have time to get in the water, then that athlete has time management issues. I get there just after 5, have time to return my pump to my car, check transition bags, take a dump, talk to a few people, & am ready to go by 6:30.