Among the impacts of the updated Multisport Competition Rules to athletes include:
Rules adjusted for the level of competition and participation, allowing Race Directors greater latitude for athlete accommodations – USA Triathlon encourages two-way dialogue between athlete and race directorOn-course penalty notification and penalty service to improve finish line integrity, streamlining communications with timing, and increased customer satisfactionAthletes will have longer draft zones, allowing more time for athletes to complete the pass legally. The draft zone distance is being increased from 7 meters to 10 meters for Sprint and Standard (Olympic) distance races and 12 meters for distances longer than StandardReplacement of PC Open with a more comprehensive and inclusive Adaptive Triathlon (AT) Rules, Accessibility Divisions
A couple things come to mind for me with the new rules.
Are all my local independent USAT sanctioned races all of a sudden going to have penalty tents and officials out on the course to notify of penalties? Somehow I think not, so I’m not sure what this rule change means for these races.
My local independent USAT sanctioned races currently state somewhere in their athlete guide, “we enforce the ‘no drafting’ rule” and that’s about all that is ever said about drafting on the website, athlete guide, pre-race meeting, etc. I can’t imagine this change is going to register with them.
Among the impacts of the updated Multisport Competition Rules to athletes include:
Rules adjusted for the level of competition and participation, allowing Race Directors greater latitude for athlete accommodations – USA Triathlon encourages two-way dialogue between athlete and race directorOn-course penalty notification and penalty service to improve finish line integrity, streamlining communications with timing, and increased customer satisfactionAthletes will have longer draft zones, allowing more time for athletes to complete the pass legally. The draft zone distance is being increased from 7 meters to 10 meters for Sprint and Standard (Olympic) distance races and 12 meters for distances longer than StandardReplacement of PC Open with a more comprehensive and inclusive Adaptive Triathlon (AT) Rules, Accessibility Divisions
So if Ironman follows USAT rules…how the heck are they going to realistically increase the zone when it is almost impossible to do anything shorter now as it is, with overcrowded / oversold races? Especially those who want to do the W.C. races–it’s silly.
I think it changed since 7 or 8 years ago when I did one possibly. I don’t remember–like I said, it’s been a while, so it’s not a problem for me at all.
Actually, 10 & 12 will be easier to remember no matter what–even numbers.
