What is the process when the water temp is in this range and wetsuits are allowed at participant’s discretion but not eligible for prizes/awards? I think this will happen at Disney this weekend but not sure if you typically still swim in your age group wave or seperate wave? Do you have to turn your chip in before start? Anyone have experience with this?
I haven’t actually seen this in practice but my understanding is that you still compete with your age group and chip, and get a time and place, but your name will be not be included in the awards ceremony later if you place in the top few. Good luck at IMouse!
Below is the USAT rule on wetsuits.
Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The wetsuit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council.
it is a race director decision but most likely you will be swimming in your age category.
As other posters have noted, athletes may wear wetsuits when the water temperature is between 78 and 84, but they are ineligible for awards or national ranking points.
We recommend that race directors start athletes in this category in a separate wave, but it is at the race director’s discretion.
David Schoonmaker
USATriathlon Mid-Atlantic Region officials coordinator