That sounds like what they're going to do. My experience with marathons though is that you have to have the data to back up your corral placement.

I hadn't heard of them doing this but it would be a nightmare if they did. I started toward the back of the TT start at Louisville and that was awful enough, and that isn't even a double loop swim. It would be a mess at the start of the second loop. A better option is to just not have so many participants that the start gets crowded out, but I know that option doesn't make as much money.

I think this is actually a good thing for the sport. I know not everyone will like this...If I were racing, I'd want to know where my competition is throughout the race...if that's even possible - maybe, age-group wave starts would be better? But, from a safety perspective, I think this is a good thing. Many will have different opinions...reduced participants, unqualified entrants, etc.

I'd say one of the major concerns that keep new triathletes from sticking with the sport is the swim.[/quote]

good point. one of the biggest things I here is people worried about getting wrestled under the water like the loch ness monster is under there. We all talk about the brutality of the swims and it makes people nervous. I am not saying we need to make every race a big safety fest but i do think that we need to evaluate certain races and pick which ones would enhance the overall experience and safety aspect of the race.

I would be more concerned about people sand bagging and saying they swim slower to make sure they have "open water" ahead of them. so lets say I avg a 1:05 swim....If I drop to the 1:20 swim (assuming there is nothing in between) and they wave start every 5 min. I could guarantee open water ahead of me and drop all the slow swimmers. worst case scenario is that I "swim up" to the group I belong to.

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

Any good swimmer knows that open water in front of them will cause them to expend a whole lot more energy "swimming up" to the next group that it's worth, they should really draft off someone for as much of the swim as possible and save that energy for later in the race. For the perfect strategy, I say go into the group that's just a little faster than you and hook up on the heels of one of those guys/gals and ride them all the way home!

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Dave Stark
dreamcatcher@astound.net
USAC & USAT level 2 certified coach

IM KFC has been doing a TT start since day one and there has never been an issue. As long as they put the entry point a good 100-200 feet from the turn around re-entry for the second loop you will have a pretty smooth merging of traffic. The only downside is your finishers photo has a clock time that does not match your actual finish (chip) time.

The only downside is your finishers photo has a clock time that does not match your actual finish (chip) time.

Sounds like this is exactly what they are going to do, the entry point will be at the far west end of the beach. From what I hear, from someone who was at the IMCDA meeting last night where this was decided, all IM events are going to this "flow" start - I would think Kona would be an exception.

I think an IM loses its luster if it goes to a wave start.

Well, looks like I'm racing Challenge from now on.