Draft-legal triathlon is real triathlon, just a different type. Most of the people here who say it isn't don't know what they are talking about. The ITU guys swim, bike, and run. That's triathlon. It's a lot more exciting, brings a lot of fresh talent that some day might move up to the longer distances, and it also draws sponsors (read: money) and publicity.
ITU races might not have the glamoure of spending 5 hours by yourself on a bike (which is boring as hell), but those of you who say they aren't working have obviously never raced in a real draft-legal race. You so called 'strong cyclist' who bike under 5 hours for 180k won't last 5 minutes on a hilly ITU course. The surges, attacks and strong pace will leave you in the dust before you knew what hit you. I will agree that there are some races where the main pack will sometimes sit and do nothing, but those races are getting fewer because the courses are getting hillier. You don't work you don't last.
Long distance triathlon attracts a lot of age groupers because of the swim/bike/run ratio. Most AG's suck at swimming and are glad the swim is relatively short. Running, well, running is hard. It's hard on the bones and joints, it's hard on the muscles, and it's hard getting up early when you know you're going to suffer. Cycling is totally different. A long distance bike ride is something most people like because it's easy. You eat, you chat, and let's face it, you don't work as hard as when you run. It also lets you spend money, which apparently a lot of people here like to do.
Finally you say a drafting race isn't a real triathlon race, but what about IM racing? From what I've seen on this forum and gordo's forum, IM racing is basically a long day of looking at your heart rate monitor and pedaling/putting one foot after the other. "Oh no I've gone over 120 bpm, better slow down my pace". You call that racing? In most ITU races the athletes don't even wear a watch. Things happen and you gotta react. There are breakaways and attacks and people go all out from start to finish. IM races are so unpredictable, and usually atleast one of the favorites will drop out because one reason or another. Outside of Kona, there are usually only 2-5 favorites in a race, and the winner will be the one who slows down the least, not the one who goes the fastest.
ITU races might not have the glamoure of spending 5 hours by yourself on a bike (which is boring as hell), but those of you who say they aren't working have obviously never raced in a real draft-legal race. You so called 'strong cyclist' who bike under 5 hours for 180k won't last 5 minutes on a hilly ITU course. The surges, attacks and strong pace will leave you in the dust before you knew what hit you. I will agree that there are some races where the main pack will sometimes sit and do nothing, but those races are getting fewer because the courses are getting hillier. You don't work you don't last.
Long distance triathlon attracts a lot of age groupers because of the swim/bike/run ratio. Most AG's suck at swimming and are glad the swim is relatively short. Running, well, running is hard. It's hard on the bones and joints, it's hard on the muscles, and it's hard getting up early when you know you're going to suffer. Cycling is totally different. A long distance bike ride is something most people like because it's easy. You eat, you chat, and let's face it, you don't work as hard as when you run. It also lets you spend money, which apparently a lot of people here like to do.
Finally you say a drafting race isn't a real triathlon race, but what about IM racing? From what I've seen on this forum and gordo's forum, IM racing is basically a long day of looking at your heart rate monitor and pedaling/putting one foot after the other. "Oh no I've gone over 120 bpm, better slow down my pace". You call that racing? In most ITU races the athletes don't even wear a watch. Things happen and you gotta react. There are breakaways and attacks and people go all out from start to finish. IM races are so unpredictable, and usually atleast one of the favorites will drop out because one reason or another. Outside of Kona, there are usually only 2-5 favorites in a race, and the winner will be the one who slows down the least, not the one who goes the fastest.