when I throw a GU wrapper in the park on my long runs i get warned by fellow runners and I pick it up.

I don't remember Florida being this bad in 2001 and 2002 when I did it, but I can't argue with the current situation. I wont make the mistake of signing up for it again.[/quote] Same here tjs. I did IMF in 2000/2001 and drafting wasn't a problem. Did it last year and drafting on the bike was rampant. Won't be going back again.

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18x Ironman, 3x Hawaii
US Army (Ret.), Vietnam Vet ('71-'72)

A TT start does make the race easier from the standpoint of that lack of jostling for position, and the large draft you mention very seldom actually happens as those early fast starters burn out, and one is forced to find clean water. There is much more contact, and even though I don't like getting smashed like I did saturday, it is part of the sorting out proess that separates the sport from a swim meet.
As and stated on one of the other threads, how was a TT swim start going to affect the drafting that was goin on after 70 miles, where it was the worst? The IMKY TT start logic is flawed in that the cyclists were drafting the worst after 70 miles.

The point of the post is the drafting. The drafting occurred throughout the race, but especially after 70 miles. How does a TT swim start even remotely affect this? That logic defies me. How many TT swim starts I've done is not at issue. Swim times are not the issue. The issue is moral character and punishment for cheating.

Sorry. You are wrong. From within the race, I saw many willingly make the decision to break the rules, pure and simple. They didn't say, "oh I wish it was a TT swim start so I couldn't do this". They cheated, pure and simple. Front of the race, middle, back. I saw large packs like the video shown, and many guys in 3's and 4's, sucking wheel after 70. Cheaters, no matter how you want to interpret it.

I don't consider this cheating.

Now sometimes these actions are seen by the referees and get called and the appropriate team gets penalized, other times the ref misses the call, and things happen. I don't consider this cheating.

Depends on where you are on the course at what time.. Drafting has always been a problem at imf I've done every one except last year.
now 2001 I was bit slower than 2000 but both 2000 and 2001 where I was on highway 20 there were packs(5:18 and 5:36 bike) but I'm a slow swimmer as well.
2002 I caught up with a bunch of packs(5:12 bike) I was yelling at them jacked my heart rate up tried to run from them no luck.
Then I just gave up slowed down while they went on and I got my heart rate back down and here came the motorcylce.. I watched them go up and bam pulled two over.
then a little later here they came again pulled one over this went on for a few miles finally broke them up..(I was about 50 to 100 meters back watching the whole thing loved it...I was cheering yelling at the guys pulled over "BUSTED" and thanked the marshal..
Saturday I was bit further back than usual and I didn't see the draft marshal maybe twice back there and even in the slower bikers along 388 there were bunch of guys drafting off of faster girls into the head wind.

BUT that was in the charlie crawford days... Now they do this wimpie no time penalty except for drafting and they don't stand them down.
I'd be willing to be some of these guys got dinged for drafting but kept on until they got to a penalty tent then picked up another group maybe some got dq'd does anybody have the numbers...

But used to they had to pull over and stand down which forced you to get out.

Also conditions were more adapt at causing drafting this year with the smooth swim and the tail winds or little wind everyone was fast even with out drafting..

Bet they had more starters as well than back in 2000 and 2001...