The last few years watching live coverage of IMWC, I always wonder if there's not a better way to demarcate the swim start line for the pro races than having a bunch of paddle boards criss-crossing in front of the athletes. Inevitably there always seems to be a few that don't get themselves stationary and turned in the right direction before the cannon sounds which looks like it blocks some swimmers and/or causes them to strike a board with their hands/arms/ face. I imagine that's got to be very frustrating and a potentially injury causing way to start what is the most important race of the year. This concern was confirmed while watching the top 5 mens pro panel and Sebi says he hit one of the boards "full on" at the start (15:42 mark of the below video). Fortunately it obviously didn't affect his race though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADupJOi2s6E
Maybe it's not an issue for most and no complaints to the organizers and that's why they keep using the same method every year, but to me it seems there must be a better way, like stringing a few metre high rope or backstroke flags on rope across a few buoys. I know this is just a micro-moment in the grand scheme of things, but still seems like an unnecessary risk. Would be curious to hear people's thoughts on this, especially any pros who have done the race and if it's a potential issue or not?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADupJOi2s6E
Maybe it's not an issue for most and no complaints to the organizers and that's why they keep using the same method every year, but to me it seems there must be a better way, like stringing a few metre high rope or backstroke flags on rope across a few buoys. I know this is just a micro-moment in the grand scheme of things, but still seems like an unnecessary risk. Would be curious to hear people's thoughts on this, especially any pros who have done the race and if it's a potential issue or not?