Just looking at some results from a race I did this weekend. Anyway, it looks like there are some errors in a couple of the times. Someone is listed as swimming a 4:47 and someone else an 11:37 for a legit 1500m (Which the race winner only covered in 20:00) Obviously these times are physically impossible, and based on the run and bike splits for the individuals they clearly started with the wrong wave.
So here is a question, was it intentional? Even if it was, was it malicious, or did these people just want to start in the wave with their buddy or something, or were they just kind of clueless. Did they get the wrong chip? How could it happen, since everyone in the same wave should have the same color swim cap? I am not here to lynch anyone, and clearly if they were maliciously trying to cheat, they are not smart since I am suprised these results weren't already tossed out, because they are not really plausible.
Then I get to thinking. This was a big race. The waves are only 4 minutes apart. I know I am an average enough swimmer that if I moved up a wave, my swim would have gone from a mediocre 26 and change to a 22. Not enough to raise any eyebrows, and in a big race where no one really knows each other (or at least they don't know me, I'm not that good) I probably could get away with it. Would have moved me into second place in the AG.
Anybody think anything like this ever goes on? I doubt it, but if people are so blatant about drafting, where anyone can see them, why not be more sneaky. I know in a lot of big time races I have done, they check you in to the swim corral, and even sometimes the "chip checker" scans you, so this strategy would not always work.
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"When I first had the opportunity to compete in triathlon, it was the chicks and their skimpy race clothing that drew me in. Everyone was so welcoming and the lifestyle so obviously narcissistic. I fed off of that vain energy. To me it is what the sport is all about."
So here is a question, was it intentional? Even if it was, was it malicious, or did these people just want to start in the wave with their buddy or something, or were they just kind of clueless. Did they get the wrong chip? How could it happen, since everyone in the same wave should have the same color swim cap? I am not here to lynch anyone, and clearly if they were maliciously trying to cheat, they are not smart since I am suprised these results weren't already tossed out, because they are not really plausible.
Then I get to thinking. This was a big race. The waves are only 4 minutes apart. I know I am an average enough swimmer that if I moved up a wave, my swim would have gone from a mediocre 26 and change to a 22. Not enough to raise any eyebrows, and in a big race where no one really knows each other (or at least they don't know me, I'm not that good) I probably could get away with it. Would have moved me into second place in the AG.
Anybody think anything like this ever goes on? I doubt it, but if people are so blatant about drafting, where anyone can see them, why not be more sneaky. I know in a lot of big time races I have done, they check you in to the swim corral, and even sometimes the "chip checker" scans you, so this strategy would not always work.
*********************
"When I first had the opportunity to compete in triathlon, it was the chicks and their skimpy race clothing that drew me in. Everyone was so welcoming and the lifestyle so obviously narcissistic. I fed off of that vain energy. To me it is what the sport is all about."