Savage8778 wrote:
It would definitely be an interesting one to write a rule about. What if it is a gel wrapper in your jersey? What if you have one last ounce of fluid in the bottle? A lot of loop holes.
Rules (current)
4.02 (g) "The most external part of the wetsuit will fit to the athlete’s body
tightly while they are swimming"
5.01 (h) "Cycling with a bare torso is prohibited. Athletes must wear a shirt, jersey, or sport-top/sports bra at all times during the cycling segment of the Race"
https://cdn1.sportngin.com/...AL_March_31_2023.pdf WT Rule 5.2 (g) (iv) "The helmet must be securely fastened and fit properly at all times and
any garment
worn underneath must not affect the fit when the athlete is in possession of the bike."
https://www.triathlon.org/uploads/docs/World-Triathlon_Competition-Rules_2023_20230208.pdf Drawing on those for inspiration/format:
Possible draft options:
5.01(h)
When the athlete is in possession of the bike, Athletes must wear a shirt, jersey, or sport-top/sports bra at all times: cycling with a bare torso is prohibited. The inside of the top shall be no more than 70mm away from the body" [would allow normal bottles (full or empty) but limit the aero value so athletes wouldn't do it]
Or:
5.01(h)
When the athlete is in possession of the bike, Athletes must wear a shirt, jersey, or sport-top/sports bra at all times: cycling with a bare torso is prohibited. The top shall fit properly and any object underneath must not affect the fit. Second draft would prohibit the temporary use of a top for carrying a bottle: which is a limitation worth accepting, imho: that's what bottle cages are for. As @Dev says:
devashish_paul wrote:
If the "no stuffing bottles in jersey rule" can be traded off for bottles that go in a cage and don't fly out, then that seems like a win win
This stuff down the front is just ugly and I hoped women (sensibly) would be deterred from doing this on aesthetic grounds (but many of the Pros did at Kona; insertion of items completed out of sight in the marquee). It does nothing to enhance triathlon's image, and risks reinforcing some 'nutter' stereotypes.
IM Rule 5.01 [BIKE CONDUCT] (m) Except as set forth below in Section 5.02(b)*, additional
equipment that has the effect of reducing wind resistance is prohibited during the bike segment of the Race (whether such equipment is worn
under the athlete’s clothing, over the athlete’s clothing, or is otherwise attached to the athlete's body or the athlete’s bike); (DSQ)
* 5.02(b) covers helmets
Nearly all bottle positioning increases drag, except down the top (or the Skipper routine filling bicep to forearm, or the double elite behind the saddle Sub7 wheeze). It's only (positioning) bottles used to decrease drag which need to be caught/prohibited: current Rule 5.01(m) as written could be used.
The way ahead here is deterrence, which will minimise the need for enforcement.
A clear message from race organisers to athletes describing how this rule will be policed/enforced would help, and then informed shouty referees on the route from bike racks to mount line delivering that enforcement (DSQ if not remediated immediately). The "bike segment of the Race" doesn't start till the mount line: cross that with stuff (large bottle, bladder or anything more than gels) down your front and it's a DSQ.
Challenge Roth (presumably under DTU Rules) showed the lead.