I’d like to see the insurance policies that races get before answering that question.
But to answer, no way in hell in 2 years. Maybe some off the market race but not any of the big companies.
So,after my expletive filled rant on the other drafting thread I started thinking about the direction the sport is taking and wondered if it is only a matter of time before WTC actually allows drafting in it’s races.Things have changed so much over the last few years and the demographic has almost forced some of the changes as Ironman goes from a hard core,seemingly unattainable test of human endurance to a bucket list/everyman lifestyle sport…Could we see the pros go off an hour early in a non-drafting format followed by the rest or could we see certain races designated draft legal with no pros racing at all?
I give it two years before the first trial of draft legal Ironman racing.
I think from a safety standpoint that would be a disaster. You think people are not preparing for the swim. Could you imagine the clusterf@# of 3,000 people drafting on an IM course.
Oh wait you mean IMFL?
As opposed to…?
Oh, you mean that the WTC will officially change the rules. I’m doubtful. I suspect that this will be very similar to the swim change, a ‘safety’ reason. I don’t foresee draft-legal IM’s being safer than the current system. Nor is the perception of draft-legal racing more safe. It’s only faster, which likely translates to a decreased safety factor on the bike. If they are currently making changes based on safety perception and insurance regulations (or whatever scapegoat they use to change the format), draft-legal won’t be the way to go.
I think from a safety standpoint that would be a disaster. You think people are not preparing for the swim. Could you imagine the clusterf@# of 3,000 people drafting on an IM course.
I read that often, but aren’t gran fondos putting that argument to bed?
And the more gran fondo-ish road races that are coming about these days?
But here is the issue. You read reports from the officials and what are they saying? That they are getting better at docking the drafting penalties. I think a few even reported how many drafting penalties they gave out to support that they are doing more. So for the PC part, my guess is that WTC is just laughing at the subject. They can say they are doing their thing all the while it not even mattering if they are actually doing their due service in the matter.
Just because we bitch about it and show how little they seemingly are actually doing, isn’t going to cause them to get scared and just allow drafting. I doubt they could get race sanctioning, insurance with 3k people in a draft legal race without the price hitting the customer. That’ll be why it never occurs, not because we think they aren’t doing enough now.
So,after my expletive filled rant on the other drafting thread I started thinking about the direction the sport is taking and wondered if it is only a matter of time before WTC actually allows drafting in it’s races.Things have changed so much over the last few years and the demographic has almost forced some of the changes as Ironman goes from a hard core,seemingly unattainable test of human endurance to a bucket list/everyman lifestyle sport…Could we see the pros go off an hour early in a non-drafting format followed by the rest or could we see certain races designated draft legal with no pros racing at all?
I give it two years before the first trial of draft legal Ironman racing.
I think from a safety standpoint that would be a disaster. You think people are not preparing for the swim. Could you imagine the clusterf@# of 3,000 people drafting on an IM course.
I principle I agree with you but you only need to look at the Gran Fondos to see that this is already happening.In Penticton for example they have a Gran Fondo and around 2,500 show up for it.Some are racing and some aren’t but it is a couple of huge group rides.I did the Ride for the Roses in Austin a few years ago with thousands of people and nobody died…It wouldn’t be a stretch to see that same attitude shifting to Ironman…That said,the aid stations would be “interesting” to say the least.
NONE of those huge group rides allows tri bikes and/or aerobars.
Draft-legal tri for the masses will never happen.
The squirrels are dangerous enough to themselves and others as is. No need to have even more of them in closer proximity, and pre-fatigued from having splashed around prior.
NONE of those huge group rides allows tri bikes and/or aerobars.
Draft-legal tri for the masses will never happen.
The squirrels are dangerous enough to themselves and others as is. No need to have even more of them in closer proximity, and pre-fatigued from having splashed around prior.
And you would be wrong in saying that,some may not allow tri bikes but a lot do.What they do is discourage the use of TT bikes and suggest that they start and stay at the back of the field.
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But I can gurantee you if IM went to DL their insurance policy would dictate that TT bikes are illegal. It simply isn’t going to happen, atleast not in general triathlon. Maybe there is some offshoot IM DL race but it won’t become the norm nor will it even be worth their time.
My guess is that the athletes that flat out cheat with drafting would still sign up for a non-draft race if they had 2 equal choices between non-draft IM and DL IM.
I would like to see some IM/iron-distance races be draft legal especially for pros. It would lead to a different kind of strategy with potentially more exciting racing. For top races (e.g. Kona, Roth, Melbourne), I would like to see it stay as it is but for those with weaker fields, it would be interesting to see what alliances are formed between groups. The ITU swim & bike are often quite boring from a competition standpoint as there is usually a large group coming off the bike together. Some have had to work hard to make up a swim deficit but the bike leg itself is usually dull. As the race gets longer, there is more opportunity for break aways to gain significant time on the rest of the field. For different reasons, I feel this could be an interesting alternative for the AG race also. I’m not advocating this for all races but it would be fun to give it a whirl.
Now is this the time where you resort to an endless tirade of expletives because someone doesn’t agree with you?
I would like to see some IM/iron-distance races be draft legal especially for pros. It would lead to a different kind of strategy with potentially more exciting racing. For top races (e.g. Kona, Roth, Melbourne), I would like to see it stay as it is but for those with weaker fields, it would be interesting to see what alliances are formed between groups. The ITU swim & bike are often quite boring from a competition standpoint as there is usually a large group coming off the bike together. Some have had to work hard to make up a swim deficit but the bike leg itself is usually dull. As the race gets longer, there is more opportunity for break aways to gain significant time on the rest of the field. For different reasons, I feel this could be an interesting alternative for the AG race also. I’m not advocating this for all races but it would be fun to give it a whirl.
Now is this the time where you resort to an endless tirade of expletives because someone doesn’t agree with you?
I’m on the fence with this whole idea and have pretty much raised the white flag to what I see as a market driven move toward draft legal Ironman’s.
So you are safe from any irate ranting.
I’d say it depends.
If “Ironman” will remain a form of race/racing that has it’s main focus on the individual physical fitness and performance in all three disciplines, we’ll probably be spared from the transformation from Triathlon (as it was) to Draftathlon (aka ITU races).
When “Ironman” has become enough of a brand though, I’ll go with your 2 years grace period until we will see the first draft legal long distance races labeled as “Ironman”. In which case the number of races I’m willing to sink money into will be reduced by the exact number of iron/long distance triathlon races that allow drafting.
What market are you referring to that wants DL IM racing? I have to 100% disagree with you there.
I’d say it depends.
If “Ironman” will remain a form of race/racing that has it’s main focus on the individual physical fitness and performance in all three disciplines, we’ll probably be spared from the transformation from Triathlon (as it was) to Draftathlon (aka as ITU races).
When “Ironman” has become enough of a brand though, I’ll go with your 2 years grace period until we will see the first draft legal long distance races labeled as “Ironman”. In which case the number of races I’m willing to sink money into will be reduced by the exact number of iron/long distance triathlon races that allow drafting.
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X2…That is how I feel and I would not sign up for any event like that just as I’m not interested in any Gran Fondos.If however this does end up happening , I won’t be jumping up and down yelling and screaming because ,right now,I can see the writing on the wall.I will spend some time shaking my head at the thought and lament the death of what once was but I would still support those who want to get out and do something physical instead of being couch potatoes.
I’d stick to Ultras and bike touring.
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Nobody will want to brag about their draft legal bike split, not even the ones currently drafting during races.
What market are you referring to that wants DL IM racing? I have to 100% disagree with you there.
The market that is made up of folks who aren’t really into the sport of triathlon per se but are the one/two and done crowd.This market is growing and I can see so much of what Ironman was now being “trimmed” to fit those who aren’t as “hard core” as those before them.You are welcome to disagree but the “latte crowd” is coming and the explosion of Gran Fondos is showing that.I bet that if drafting was allowed you would see another spike in newbies trying their hand at Ironman and that is what “the industry” wants…
Nobody will want to brag about their draft legal bike split, not even the ones currently drafting during races.
Maybe not but they will brag about their finish times…I know this may shock people here on ST but the attitude of bragging about everything bike related isn’t the be-all and end-all of the vast majority of age group triathletes out there…
I’m shocked.
I principle I agree with you but you only need to look at the Gran Fondos to see that this is already happening.In Penticton for example they have a Gran Fondo and around 2,500 show up for it.Some are racing and some aren’t but it is a couple of huge group rides.I did the Ride for the Roses in Austin a few years ago with thousands of people and nobody died.
That’s a tough argument to make. I did Tour de Houston a few months ago and I remember no less than 5 pretty bad accidents (broken bones, separated shoulders, knocked unconscious, etc…) I haven’t done a Fondo yet, but I know people who have done 2 separate ones. In each they say they have witnessed some pretty bad wrecks. ALMOST anyone can ride a bike when not in a paceline and room around them to make a sudden swerve or reaction to road conditions or a gust of wind. But how many people consistently ride in a paceline and have strong bike handling skills?