Back to the argument...

How are we supposed to be aware of a rule that is never stated? And don't point to the "Race Rules" because, as I mentioned above, it does not logically follow from that statement that wetsuits are disallowed at temperatures above 78.

Back to the argument...

How are we supposed to be aware of a rule that is never stated? And don't point to the "Race Rules" because, as I mentioned above, it does not logically follow from that statement that wetsuits are disallowed at temperatures above 78.

I think you attended the same logic class as Woody Allen:

All men are mortal.
Socrates was mortal.
Therefore, all men are Socrates.

That was right before he was expelled from his metaphysics class when the professor caught him cheating by looking into the soul of the student next to him.

If you fail to see the inverse of the rule there is nothing I can say that will persuade you. Best of luck to you sir. I'm finished here.

As an Eagleman registrant, you received an email (I wonder if you read it) that contained the following statements:

"Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events are sanctioned by USA Triathlon (USAT). Ironman has been granted certain rule dispensations so please read the following information carefully as the rules may differ slightly from other USAT-sanctioned events. "

and later in that same email -

"5. Wetsuits are allowed for all athletes if the water is 78 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. "

and later in that same email -

"Ironman reserves the right to make changes to these rules at any time. Notification of any change will be in accordance with USAT procedures."

Please note the following from USAT's website information on Rules.

1.4 Rules Exceptions and Additions. For any particular event, a race director may request from USA Triathlon a

specific exception or addition to these Rules. Any such request should be made with the consideration of the

participant’s safety as the highest priority. All requests for Rule changes must be made in writing. All exceptions or

additions to these Rules must be expressly approved in writing by the Executive Director of USA Triathlon and

must be announced to all participants prior to the event.

As an Eagleman registrant, you received an email (I wonder if you read it) that contained the following statements:

"Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events are sanctioned by USA Triathlon (USAT). Ironman has been granted certain rule dispensations so please read the following information carefully as the rules may differ slightly from other USAT-sanctioned events. "

and later in that same email -

"5. Wetsuits are allowed for all athletes if the water is 78 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. "

and later in that same email -

"Ironman reserves the right to make changes to these rules at any time. Notification of any change will be in accordance with USAT procedures."

Please note the following from USAT's website information on Rules.

1.4 Rules Exceptions and Additions. For any particular event, a race director may request from USA Triathlon a

specific exception or addition to these Rules. Any such request should be made with the consideration of the

participant’s safety as the highest priority. All requests for Rule changes must be made in writing. All exceptions or

additions to these Rules must be expressly approved in writing by the Executive Director of USA Triathlon and

must be announced to all participants prior to the event.

I have refrained from comment but can't bite my tongue anymore.

This all makes me sad. This is a sport for most and something done for enjoyment. There are rules and sometimes they need to be bent due to circumstances and mother nature. The rules are in place to protect the athletes and spectators as much as possible.

Eagleman is a long running triathlon and the RD's and their crews put on a very good event. What they could have done or should have done is now irrelavent, but can be lessons learned for the future events.

That being said, anyone that enters a triathlon should have the common sense to know there are inherint risks that are beyond the control of humans. Sh!t happens.

What I'm guessing happened is that the USAT official took the temp on race day, stuck to his guns that it was 78+ degrees and the RD's had to make a very quick decision as they had 2500 athletes jacked up on caffeine and god-knows what else waiting to SBR.

As athletes entering a triathlon, we should be ready to adapt to the situation at hand. The RD's did not make it so it was impossible for people to compete (like the comment about no aero helmet, which is not the same because a helmet is required for safety and some people might not have brought another non-aero helmet and therefore would not be able to participate at all).

It could have been done differently (not better or worse, but differently), but I honestly think it's a shame that there is so much arguement over specific symantics of rules for a sport that we "participate" in. For the vast majority, peoples livelihoods were not at stake on this fateful Sunday.

Adapt and overcome. Or maybe I'm just an elitist.

...The RD's did not make it so it was impossible for people to compete...

If they allowed people to wear wetsuits and not qualify for awards how would they know at the end who wore wetsuits and who didn't?

Mike

WTC policy.
I think it was a good idea. Perhaps lessons learned from Timberman '09 where a wetsuit was a bad idea in the respect continuous overheating of the body.

I've been at a couple races where they have one heat after all others with all the folks that want to wear wetsuits. With chip timing it is not too hard to back out all those folks in the results. It usually is not too big a heat, as most feel pressure to not wear their suits..

I will stand next to the RD as I have raced at Eagleman and I have Co-RD'd a large tri event and can understand the confusion. Bottom line is the safety of the participants and it sounds like there was great potential for heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

As much as I enjoy ST and the fine people that post here, I don't think it's a rquirement for all RD's to have to come on ST and defend themselves.

I agree, I give a big standing O to ANYONE that stands up and admits their own faults. Rev3 guys are way above par in my book, but then again, I alone don't appear on anyones radar...yet...

The money and masses will talk and Eagleman will sell out completely next year. And I'm sure they will have a plan for water temperatures between 76 and 84 degrees.

"I told him "Be fruitful, and multiply." But not in so many words"

I don't know anyone who knows Woody Allen's standup routines!

But they did make it much more difficult for people to avoid being DQed without giving them the information they would need in order to assess their chances of being DQed.

Do yuou really want too ?

Why are you so mad at the RD?

Just don't sign up for Eagleman next year.

Do Vineman or Rev3 next year and wear a wetsuit when its 78+ degree water.

I think you need to get over it.