I think neoprene shorts and especially pants could have a very positive place in triathlon. The current USAT cut off is at or above 78d. At that level it allows an athlete the choice of what type of neoprene they want to wear. Full, farmer John, pants, or even just shorts. The category is too broad because all of these listed have different purposes. Foremost to me is that there is a real safety issue when people choose a full suit at high, but legal tempatures. Often times this is because the full suit is the only one they own or brought to the race. A wetsuit that works at 60d is not a suit you should wear at 76d (WTC) or 78d (USAT). It makes most people way too hot for racing.
I have suggested to USAT that their guidelines should reflect this. Full suits at 76 or below. Sleeveless (farmer John) at 78 and below and then pants or shorts at any temperature. This would be a step to help support new/inexperienced or challenged swimmers in open water and make the swim safer (yes, and faster) for most everyone. This also would clarify the issue when athletes wear wetsuits above 78d but below 84d and are not eligible for awards. I have given pre-race talks on many occasions that I will use the 78d rule and then have a number of people say they can wear them. They are actually correct, but when they don't have their name appear in the results until the bottom because they are not listed in the categories, it is a problem.
I have seriously been involved in the sport for over thirty years and have seen/used most tech changes that have taken place. For the most part, they have been made to make people faster, more comfortable and safer.
So do swim shorts and pants provide an unfair tech advantage? In my opinion, yes but no different than bike frames/wheels, shoes and clothing (including swim skins).
In a sport that most people agreeably don't swim well, my suggestion does not help me against my competition, but would be a positive for triathlon as a whole (and business too). One more piece of equipment to buy. So yes, when I go to a triathlon, I need to pack my full suit, sleeveless suit, pants, shorts and swim skin just to be covered. It's a far cry from my first triathlon in 1986 when I did the whole race in running shorts.
Doug Marocco USAT #1039 I have been doing this sport for a while!
I have suggested to USAT that their guidelines should reflect this. Full suits at 76 or below. Sleeveless (farmer John) at 78 and below and then pants or shorts at any temperature. This would be a step to help support new/inexperienced or challenged swimmers in open water and make the swim safer (yes, and faster) for most everyone. This also would clarify the issue when athletes wear wetsuits above 78d but below 84d and are not eligible for awards. I have given pre-race talks on many occasions that I will use the 78d rule and then have a number of people say they can wear them. They are actually correct, but when they don't have their name appear in the results until the bottom because they are not listed in the categories, it is a problem.
I have seriously been involved in the sport for over thirty years and have seen/used most tech changes that have taken place. For the most part, they have been made to make people faster, more comfortable and safer.
So do swim shorts and pants provide an unfair tech advantage? In my opinion, yes but no different than bike frames/wheels, shoes and clothing (including swim skins).
In a sport that most people agreeably don't swim well, my suggestion does not help me against my competition, but would be a positive for triathlon as a whole (and business too). One more piece of equipment to buy. So yes, when I go to a triathlon, I need to pack my full suit, sleeveless suit, pants, shorts and swim skin just to be covered. It's a far cry from my first triathlon in 1986 when I did the whole race in running shorts.
Doug Marocco USAT #1039 I have been doing this sport for a while!