I did a search but couldn’t really find anything definitive. How much (in minutes) will a wetsuit shave off your time in a 1/2 or full ironman? I recently swam a 37 min 1/2 ironman sans wetsuit, which included a lot of stopping due to being kicked in the face etc. I have a fairly decent swimming background so my stroke is decent (but probably not great). I think it is kind of pointless for all the MOP, BOPers to ride/have the latest most expensive tri gear, but I think I was literally the only one in my most recent race that didn’t have any kind of wetsuit. (water temp was only 68, come on! that’s refreshing!) I consider myself a MOPer and finished in 5:43 (my first)
I once heard about 10 seconds per 100 in open water.
I definitely benefit more than that. Plus, I’m warmer and less tired coming into t1.
That seems about right, last year I was about 1 minute per 500meters faster with a wetsuit.
jaretj