I got my first drafting penalty at IMMD today even after trying my best to remain a the legal 7m distance as we were coming home into the headwind. The moto never came up to my position to access my spacing though which I thought was odd but perhaps I was drifting into the draft box as the pace would change. There were 4 of us all trying to stay legal but the moto said no way. It happened right at mile 110 so the penalty was served right before dropping off the bike.
Anyway, as most have noted that 4 minutes really is deterrent because if I had been right on a wheel for a long time I would easily saved that 4 minutes just from pushing into the headwind for example. I would think 8 minutes would really be more appropriate based on my one time 4 minute experience.
So am I officially a cheater since I got a penalty? Is my time null and void? I swear on everything that I was trying to stay legal the whole ride but I obviously I was too close for the official in certain situations without making a pass.
I got my first drafting penalty at IMMD today even after trying my best to remain a the legal 7m distance as we were coming home into the headwind. The moto never came up to my position to access my spacing though which I thought was odd but perhaps I was drifting into the draft box as the pace would change. There were 4 of us all trying to stay legal but the moto said no way. It happened right at mile 110 so the penalty was served right before dropping off the bike.
Anyway, as most have noted that 4 minutes really is deterrent because if I had been right on a wheel for a long time I would easily saved that 4 minutes just from pushing into the headwind for example. I would think 8 minutes would really be more appropriate based on my one time 4 minute experience.
So am I officially a cheater since I got a penalty? Is my time null and void? I swear on everything that I was trying to stay legal the whole ride but I obviously I was too close for the official in certain situations without making a pass.
What say you ST?
Do nfl players get called cheaters every time they get a penalty? No. You broke a rule. Shit happens, take your penalty and move on.
I got my first drafting penalty at IMMD today even after trying my best to remain a the legal 7m distance as we were coming home into the headwind. The moto never came up to my position to access my spacing though which I thought was odd but perhaps I was drifting into the draft box as the pace would change. There were 4 of us all trying to stay legal but the moto said no way. It happened right at mile 110 so the penalty was served right before dropping off the bike.
Anyway, as most have noted that 4 minutes really is deterrent because if I had been right on a wheel for a long time I would easily saved that 4 minutes just from pushing into the headwind for example. I would think 8 minutes would really be more appropriate based on my one time 4 minute experience.
So am I officially a cheater since I got a penalty? Is my time null and void? I swear on everything that I was trying to stay legal the whole ride but I obviously I was too close for the official in certain situations without making a pass.
What say you ST?
Do nfl players get called cheaters every time they get a penalty? No. You broke a rule. Shit happens, take your penalty and move on.
PNF, LVL and Tim DeBoom both won Kona in years where they drifted into the draft zone. We still view them as champions. There is intentional wheel sucking and then drifting into someone’s zone while losing concentration or misjudging the 5 lengths…don’t worry. You played by the rules. Move on.
Do nfl players get called cheaters every time they get a penalty? No. You broke a rule. Shit happens, take your penalty and move on.
^^ This.
The definition I go by for “cheating” requires intent, so only you know if you cheated or not. You can be in violation of the rules (thus earning a penalty) and not be cheating.
In the early '90s, Tri-Fed/USA’s board of directors adopted time penalties for drafting violations. The idea was to make drafting a position foul, like a personal foul in basketball. If you get a personal foul in basketball are you a cheater? Get over it. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time & were cited by a marshal. BFD. Are you a criminal because you got a speeding ticket? Nothing to see here. Move along…
I got my first and as of yet only penalty for drafting in Kona 2012 while climbing up to Hawi. Three guys passed me and then dropped back and I rode up into them without noticing. Took it like a man and posted on ST not am I’m a cheater but thread but a compliment to Jimmy and his officiating crew for doing a great job policing the race.
Can we get a quick race report, I’m trying to decide if this is a race I’d like to do next year. What are your thoughts on the race?
Thanks for all the responses…with all the drafting threads over the years I just wasn’t sure what to think about.
Next time, I ask for tips on how what to do when you’re at your effort but the guy sits up in front of you and therefore you’re stuck going over effort to pass. I probably should be at the legal distance just under my normal effort so passing doesn’t put me in the redline in those situations.
As for a quick report about the event, it was great and not too crowded. The run even though being 6 out-n-backs really is great for spectators and didn’t wear on you too mentally. It was crowded at aid stations but overall I never felt like I couldn’t pass or be passed without difficulty.
The bike is pancake flat and we had a little wind but nothing killer. The road surface for half the 2xLoop is awesome and the other half isn’t too bad so it’s a fast bike course.
The swim with my Garmin was long even though I swam buoy to buoy the whole way. My time was 5 minutes slow but there was some slight chop nothing extreme so that could’ve accounted for it. No jellies or nettles so that was a relief.
The town really felt like they were supportive of the event as well so that’s an extra bonus.
Overall, except for the small city host I think it would be better than Arizona for a first timer.
Thanks for all the responses…with all the drafting threads over the years I just wasn’t sure what to think about.
Don’t worry, most STers have no idea what to think about it too. Don’t read too much about mob justice, since they’re all talkie, no doie. You’ve shown a gazillion times better character by analyzing the situation and having the courage to post it. Most ignore like it never happened and blame someone else. So, you… you’re good.
No get your cheating ass to a couch, feet up, and enjoy some tasty morsels and beverages. You have 4 minutes.
+1 on the 8 minutes
+2 on starting to call the infractions every time at every race.
+3 for admitting you got a drafting penalty - I did not think anybody on ST got drafting penalties, everyone else was doing it though.
I agree… as a recipient of my first penalty recently… same situatuon… i drfted within 7m on an incline and should have passed. In the case of accidentally drifting into the draft zone… 8 minutes wound be better in that surging at 350 to 400w to pass is worth it… or deciding to stay far back.
In my case, that was the only time I was near a group and broke the rules, so the 4 minutes was a killer for me. I think the race plays out different and might have given me a shot at the ag win. Hard to say though.
I passed a guy at mile 90, I was easily 4 bikes in front when I crossed back over the rumbles, was prob goin 2 mph faster, 30 secs later he gets a drafting penalty. There was no possible way he was drAfting. Bad call
It sounds like you were trying to gain an unfair (albeit legal) advantage by staying 7m back but understanding that you would be pushing less watts than the guy you were drafting off of. Personally, I would feel guilty (feel like I cheated) if I got off the bike and then outran the guy…knowing that he had to push more watts than me on the bike. Most of the pros and lots of the top age groupers do it. It is legalized cheating and diminishes the sport and the athletes that have to do the bike and run on their own. Imagine doing 25w less on the bike for 90 or 180km. I wonder how much energy that saves and how much faster a run can be had by working at 10%+ less wattage? That doesn’t sound fair to me compared to the guy at the front of the line or the guy who has a crap swim. Not sure why everyone is giving you a pass.
It is not unfair if everyone can do it. Following the rules is part of racing. It is perfectly legal to follow at seven meters. But if you are going to do it you always run the risk of drifting in to the zone or having a ref decide that you aren’t really the full seven meters.
My only penalty ever was just that situation…I had read an interview with Macca where he talked about the benefit of following at a legal distance. Decided to try it myself in a race and about three minutes later I got red carded. The ref decided I was too close, so I was. I took my medicine, served my penalty, and have vowed to not let it happen again. If I’m trying for a “legal” draft, I err on the side of a little too big of a draft box instead of borderline too little.