200 Triathletes Rescued

Just a few thoughts I've since spoken to a few folks that were there. These are not to my knowledge numbers supported by incident reports, medical visits, etc. Those that were there saw nothing unusual (and believe me, 169 "rescues" at a tri would be absolutely remarkable). There was, as at every tri, the swimmer that has a hard time with surf and needs a shoulder to lean on or an elbow taken for balance. As for the USAT rule, the rules are such that a lifeguard, like an aid station volunteer, or a tech van, all fall under the rubric of the race officials or management. That rule is designed that an athlete cannot get, for example, and extra tube from his wife if he gets a flat. But an athlete can get a tube from the tech van, or gels from an aid station, or even hang onto a kayak during the swim if they have to (but forward progress is not allowed - that whole issue is for another thread). You would not, however, be allowed to rest on a friend's kayak, or take a gel from a non racing buddy. Again, we have no idea how the term "assistance." Until then, we don't really know what was done. And this definition would also be necessary to compare it to a USMS OW swim. But I can guarantee you more people need help in tris than do in OW swims. It's unfortunate, but many take the dim view that the swim is not as relevant since it comprises a small percentage of the total race. I have seen tris where the swimmer has never been in the ocean before, never in a wetsuit, they just think they've splashed in a pool for a bit so they will be fine. I completely and 100% acknowledge that.... but this article is simply cr*p "journalism" of the "headless body found in topless bar" variety. LA Tri is USAT sanctioned As far as variable time penalties, they are handed out at the time of violation by a race marshall (assuming the violation is witnessed), not after the fact, and whether they are served immediately or later depends on the race. In some cases (drafting), some races make you sit in a penalty tent. In most, they enter the penalty in the results and that time is added to your total elapsed time. Variable time penalties are a well know rule in triathlon, so anyone that doesn't like them is better off not doing tris. Natascha Badmann won Kona Ironman (the world championships) after sitting in the penalty tent for 4 minutes for drafting. Nothing ethical or unethical about it, you pay your penalty, do the time, and move on. Just like a foul in basketball, offsides in soccer, penalty in football, i.e. every other sport. Even OW swimming has race marshalls in the mix for how swimmers act, yes?

Just a few thoughts I've since spoken to a few folks that were there. These are not to my knowledge numbers supported by incident reports, medical visits, etc. Those that were there saw nothing unusual (and believe me, 169 "rescues" at a tri would be absolutely remarkable). There was, as at every tri, the swimmer that has a hard time with surf and needs a shoulder to lean on or an elbow taken for balance. As for the USAT rule, the rules are such that a lifeguard, like an aid station volunteer, or a tech van, all fall under the rubric of the race officials or management. That rule is designed that an athlete cannot get, for example, and extra tube from his wife if he gets a flat. But an athlete can get a tube from the tech van, or gels from an aid station, or even hang onto a kayak during the swim if they have to (but forward progress is not allowed - that whole issue is for another thread). You would not, however, be allowed to rest on a friend's kayak, or take a gel from a non racing buddy. Again, we have no idea how the term "assistance." Until then, we don't really know what was done. And this definition would also be necessary to compare it to a USMS OW swim. But I can guarantee you more people need help in tris than do in OW swims. It's unfortunate, but many take the dim view that the swim is not as relevant since it comprises a small percentage of the total race. I have seen tris where the swimmer has never been in the ocean before, never in a wetsuit, they just think they've splashed in a pool for a bit so they will be fine. I completely and 100% acknowledge that.... but this article is simply cr*p "journalism" of the "headless body found in topless bar" variety. LA Tri is USAT sanctioned As far as variable time penalties, they are handed out at the time of violation by a race marshall (assuming the violation is witnessed), not after the fact, and whether they are served immediately or later depends on the race. In some cases (drafting), some races make you sit in a penalty tent. In most, they enter the penalty in the results and that time is added to your total elapsed time. Variable time penalties are a well know rule in triathlon, so anyone that doesn't like them is better off not doing tris. Natascha Badmann won Kona Ironman (the world championships) after sitting in the penalty tent for 4 minutes for drafting. Nothing ethical or unethical about it, you pay your penalty, do the time, and move on. Just like a foul in basketball, offsides in soccer, penalty in football, i.e. every other sport. Even OW swimming has race marshalls in the mix for how swimmers act, yes?