I’m trying to get an idea of what it takes to qualify for Clearwater, in terms of average Watts per Kilo during a 20 min TT test?
What result should bring me to the point where I can be a contender for a slot?
And yes, I know I have to swim and run…
About 3.5-4w/kg (for 20 minutes) for a qualifier (assuming you are fairly aero), 1w/kg for the actual clearwater race. You must practice riding in a large pack with only 3" between you and the rider in front of you to be competitive at Clearwater.
So basically once you qualify, you don’t need to ride the bike anymore.
-BJ
Where are you planning to qualify? Also what do you think you can do the swim and run in?
In general I think you need to look at the last year qualifing times of the race you are doing and see what those times were. I was surprised to find at CA70.3 there are usually roll-down spots to the low 5hr times in my AG.
So let’s see - assuming I’m 75kg and crank 300W on a 20 min TT test (W/KG=4), that should put me on a 230-250 range for 1/2 IM ride… Got some work to do 
I don’t really have a shot of qualifying, maybe through a roll over.
Just wanted to get an idea what is a realistic goal for the future.
You would be surprised how fast you can go at 200-210w average with a very aero position. A 2:30 56mi split (22.4mph) is doable, depending on the course. Swim a :30, run a 1:35 (7:15 miles) and add :05 for transitions and you have a 4:40 which very well may qualify. Many people just don’t take the time to adapt to a better position.
BJ
am i being niave in thinking that if you 20min power is 300, you are goingto hold 250 for a half and be able to run after? maybe i missunderstand the numbers, but our 20 min power is very similar (i hit 296 for 20 min two weeks ago), i am a bit lighter, 150/68kg?
i can say for sure there is NO WAY i could ride 250 or even prob 230 for a half and be ok after that. granted i dont have a huge base behind me, but still…
either the 20 min power there is low, or you are going to WAY overdo the race at those goal numbers (unless i am totally off base here).
that said, with a solid position most people can cruise at a much lower power level than they think and maintain good speeds.
I’m trying to get an idea of what it takes to qualify for Clearwater, in terms of average Watts per Kilo during a 20 min TT test?
What result should bring me to the point where I can be a contender for a slot?
And yes, I know I have to swim and run…
It depends pretty heavily on what class you’re in, and what qualification race you do. If you went to South Africa for example, you’d pretty much just have to finish to get a slot if you wanted one.
I definitely agree that being aero AND comfortable can change a lot. Just to be clear, I don’t hold (yet) 300W in a 20 min TT, but once I will, holding 230-240w as normalized power is doable and can produce a very fast , sub 2:30, bike split.
My FTP is over 300, and my target wattage for a half is 230. PR half split is 2:16.
I think it is safe to say that if your FTP is 296, 250 is completely out of the question.
250 is .84 of 296. That is a reasonable NP goal for a half bike split. Assuming that 296 is actually FTP. 230 is only .76 of 300 which is closer to a goal for an IM bike split rather than a half. Again assuming FTP is accurate.
As to the OP’s question, FTP is not a good measure to try and figure out if you will qualify, there are tons of variables, AG, who wants a slot, course, weight, position, not to mention swimming and running. However, if you want to qualify, having more watts available will be better.
230 or even 50 out of a 300 FTP is not the issue, the issue i had or thought was a weird ratio was the 20min power of 300 vs racing the half at 250.
my 20 min power right now is right at 300, ftp roughly 265, half goal around 210-220.
that is like me trying to race a half at 250, thats 15 under ftp, IF i could even hold that for the bike, there would be no run, there would be a david sitting down in the shade and passing out.