test wrote:
https://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Thoes_Officially_Reinstated_as_IM_Ireland_Winner_8607.html
More news on this from Ironman today but still no specific details on the infraction.
From your ST News link: ""an independent court has since called for the disqualification to be overturned, deeming the outside assistance she received as making no difference to the race outcome."
Sounds as if the TriIreland judged that the outside assistance actually happened. How did the appeal body (Tri Ireland) know whether she wasn't about to bonk?
Thoes’ coach, Brett Sutton, wrote on
trisutto.com in September that she “was controversially disqualified after the winning presentation had taken place. She was then the subject of cruel attacks on social media when there was little, or no clarification of what the disqualification was for. As there was an official protest, Svenja was prevented from publicly commenting on the incident.” “I can only say that the incident was not a drafting violation, or any other
dreamt up scenario, but
one great story that any real Ironman triathlete would find great compassion for,” Sutton continued.
Well now the appeal's complete: let's hear that "great story"!
So if someone breaks a rule - in this case receiving outside assistance (and let us assume this is fluid/nutrition since the nature of the outside assistance remains unspecified) - then provided it makes "no difference to the race outcome" then an appeal will be successful.
Littering makes "no difference to the race outcome": will appeals against littering succeed? What about being obnoxious to a referee? Makes "no difference to the race outcome". Spare wheel from a spectator: where's the harm in that? Drinks from supporters every lap? Bottles/gels passed up from the side of the road?
See upthread for a first hand account from @Dan the Man of her riding in company skilz.
The Irish are not doing themselves any favours here - I wonder if this is the last IM Ireland?
IM ponying up the 15k: she was already KQ so the slots awarded remain.
IM Ireland results still not amended:
https://www.ironman.com/im-ireland-results