Given the debate about Clearwater I thought I would offer my suggestions to RD’s and athletes to help out the problem. I see a few inherent problems with the current system that I feel would help out the issue. Keep in mind I’m not the best writer in the world so be nice.
First problem: Age groups. We race in age groups right? We squeal about drafting and not being a true test of endurance, but then we want to race in groups by age. Doesn’t make sense to me. Start, race, and finish. Sort out the times in the end. If we truly feel that triathlon is a TT and a test of endurance, we need to eliminate AG’s all together, or at minimum, stop grouping the swim start by age.
Second problem: Racers vs. Racers: In any given event, the majority of the people there are “just doing it”. Only a small # are really in contention for the top spots. Those people will win NO MATTER WHAT. Even if you lump all the riders together and allow drafting, the order of the top 10 will largely be the same. These days, with the growth of the sport, in a large event the best are fit in all three sports and will rise to the top on any given course in any given conditions. We should set up a start by proven ability and work back from there. Have an open wave or three for the people who are racing for the top spots and can PROVE that they are racing for the top spot. Have it based on time, not age. BCS style. I see no reason that the WTC can’t implement a points system that would allow racers to compete for the ability to race at the front, just behind the pros. All the others are really there to have a great time, challenge themselves, and FINISH. It’s all about the finish, right? I’m sorry, but a 6-hour ½ or a 13-hour IM is just a training day. Be proud, it’s still a hard day and a great physical accomplishment. Then, when your fit enough and can get the results you can elevate the difficulty by racing in the front wave with the fast people. I know it sounds harsh, but I’m not talking about the “spirit” of the sport or the abilities of the racers. I’m talking about making the race more enjoyable for all and safer to boot. I’m talking about helping out the problem that we currently see at large races.
Third problem: Blaming the course. If we were able to race each racer solo on a flat course, you’d still see the same results at the top of the field (small changes, I know, but for the most part, the fastys will still win) TT’ing a dead flat ride is still very hard. Maintaining a speed and not letting it slip by a half MPH is though work. Putting hill, to me, makes it a more technical ride but not harder. We should be able to find a way to allow great places and cities like Clearwater to host events and not get beat up for it. We’ll loose venues that way.
My solutions for the problem:
Grouping people by ability will solve these problems, even on a dead flat course. I say start the pro women first, then pro men, then a fast women, then fast men, maybe repeat that with fast women and fast men again. That order should sort out the front of the field and the racers will have a moderately open bike course. It will eliminate a large amount of racers from the ‘field’ that will then be open. The people really going for a top placing or Hawaii spot will have a fair shake at it and will be “racing” against the people that want to race. (Pacing based on position. Example; strong bike and relaxing on the run to hold position and make sure you don’t blow up OR relaxing on the bike and hammering the run, taking the risk of blowing up, top catch those that hammered the bike)
Group the rest of the field by swim ability. This will keep the flow of athletes steady out of the water and help with the packs. You’ll never get rid of them, but (not to be a prick) does it really matter? If you’re a MOP or BOP racer, are you really worried about you’re place? You’ll still get the same result, 45th out of 100, 55th out of 100. It wont make that big a difference in placement but if you get the urge to really put the hammer down, all you have to do is put in the training time and qualify for the FOP wave.
In the end, we’ll be competing by ability and actually creating a more competitive atmosphere (points, kinda like the green jersey) and better athletes. We’ll be keeping people involved in the sport and develop a more competitive field. For those there for the event and the challenge, nothing changes except that 25% of the field is relocated to the front and it’ll be safer for you. We can incorporate local races to get the IM stamp and draw racers by involving them in the qualifying process. A % of points can carry over to the next season, points passed on overall place and % within winners time and so on.
That’s it for now. I have more depending on the race and venue, but that sums up my suggestions for the majority of the racing season fot the majority of the athletes.