I participated at Steelhead this weekend, enjoyed the event and appreciate all the effort it took to put on a race like that.
I didn’t see an outrageous amount of drafting on the bike course, in fact I was only passed by one group of 5 cheaters during the time I was on the course.
Congratulations to all who made the race a true individual effort.
I guess my question about this race is this, were there any penalties given out at all for any infractions? With as many racers participating as there were on Saturday I don’t know if I can believe that there wasn’t an opportunity for an official to write even a single penalty, yet the results show none.
I suspect that penalties and DQs are being omitted from the results in an effort to shield the offenders identity. I think that is a kind gesture, but that it doesn’t do much to discourage repeat offenders. During my 19 years of racing I have recieved 1 drafting penalty that was recorded in the race results. I still haven’t forgotten how mortified I was to see it there. I remember it every time I get passed or every time I’m preparing for a pass, to do it quickly and legally.
So - does anyone out there know how to confirm whether or not a single rule infraction was recorded on Saturday at Steelhead?
I am only aware of one penalty that occurred in front of me with an male from the 18-24 age group. He was stopped in the first penalty tent. I was passed by a pace line with 10 miles left and when the official rode by all they got was “break it up, 10 meters!” yell.
I know of one person that did get a penalty on the course & he deserved it! (ipod) But iwas wondering the same thing I saw a young guy w/red hair on the bike shirtless which I thought was grounds for an immeadiate dq but then saw him going out on the run stll shirtless!
I agree about the drafting, it was ridiculous out on the bike…however, I think the real problem was that they over sold this race, there were simply too many people in it and there wasn’t a lot of room out on the roads. I was in the 14th wave and I couldn’t believe the amount of bikers on the course as I was going through it, it was out of control. I’ve done quite a few halfs and multiple IM’s and this was the worst bike course I’ve ever been on with regard to the amount of people. As for referees…were there really any out there??? I think I saw one the entire 56 miles on the bike and they were out on a joy ride.
I saw a woman in a penalty tent, looking very peeved, so obviously some penalties were being given out. Saw tons of motorcycles out on the course too, so I’d assume they were penalizing some of the more blatant rulebreakers.
I’ve heard that there were a couple sightings of people serving a 4 minute penalty for violations on the bike course.
I’m not trying to “out” anyone in particular but an anonymous 4 minute rest break doesn’t seem like much of a consequence compared to the benefit of being able to draft and set up a much stronger run than you would be able to if you had ridden on your own.
I’m pretty sure that drafting would be curtailed significantly if the drafters were identified in the results of all USAT and NAS sanctioned races.
Ah, I see your point. I would assume that people who were given penalties had those same penalties recorded somewhere - and you’re right, those should then show up in the results. To your point, I have no idea if this is actually the case. I agree, it would be good to see drafters identified as such - kind of like having an asterisk after your race results.
The officials gave out a number of penalties - these penalties were served in the tents and are not listed in the results. If the athlete was DQ’ed (Peeing in the transition) they are not listed in the results. Z
The officials gave out a number of penalties - these penalties were served in the tents and are not listed in the results. If the athlete was DQ’ed (Peeing in the transition) they are not listed in the results. Z
Pee’ing in transition penalty? Man, you are a hard ass.
The officals wanted to give out penalities to athletes drinking Infinit, but I told them - NO! Those athletes are all ready at a dis-advantange - no need to pour salt on the wound!
Just kidding Michael - great to have you at the race! Hope you got lots of new converts! Next time bring the Infinit bottle so we can compare the size of our inflatables!
Maybe having done the Chicago Triathlon as my first tri (in 2000) and then doing it every year since has made me immune to feeling that any race course is “oversold” or crowded.
I expect races to be full. Sometimes I wish riders would stay to the right until they are passing, but Navigating other participants is part of the sport.
I didn’t think that the roads at steelhead were in bad condition though (or maybe you just meant it was crowded).
HOWEVER, I saw NO official on the bike course the whole time. The drafting seemed to be MUCH less prevalent than last year, though.
I started in the 14th wave and got to see a lot of people on the bike course. It was crowded, but not horrible. I remember Chicago being worse, and since it was run ‘backwards’, ie., ride to the left, pass on the right, and 2 loops, people were all over the place.
I didn’t see anyone in the penalty tents, but then again, I wasn’t looking. Other people mentioned that they did see people in them.
The motorcycles came by a number of times during my ride. I thought a few of the people around me were going to get pimped, but I never saw a red or yellow card.
I didn’t see the massive 20-50 person peletons like last year, so that was good.
I wish they would list everyone who started in the results, including the DNFs and DQs.