The 2010 SA Triathlon Champs was ruled as a no wetsuit swim with the water temperature recorded one hour before the start as being 22.4 degrees Celsius – only .4 degree above limit. However one EC athlete accompanied the official doing the measurement and noted that it was taken from the Jetty in shallow (warmer) water, and not in the middle of the course (deeper, cooler water) as required in the rules:-
Water temperature must be taken one (1) hour prior to the start of the event on race day. It must be taken at the middle of the course and in two other areas on the swim course, at a depth of 60 cm. The lowest measured temperature will be considered as the official water temperature.
There is a certain point which requires your attention. The measured water temperature is not always used in the final decision. If the air temperature is lower than the water temperature, then the adjusted value is to decrease the measured water temperature by 0,5ºC every 1.0ºC of difference between the air and water temperatures.
e.g. Measured water temperature: 18 ºC, Measured Air Temperature: 16 ºC,
The Air temperature is lower than the measured water temperature. In this case:
Difference between the air and water temperatures: 2 ºC
Adjusted value: 0,5ºC x 2 ºC = 1 ºC
Adjusted water temperature for final decision: 18 ºC - 1 ºC = 17 ºC
Further details on the correct procedure for determining the use of wetsuits can be found inside the ITU Competition Rules http://www.triathlon.org/docs/downloads/ituevents_competition-rules-2010_2010-02-11.pdf
Of course it is now only a matter of speculation as to what the actual temperature of the water was in the middle of the course, however in all likelihood it would have been at least a degree or two cooler than that measured amongst the weed in the shallow water, and so could have had a dramatic influence on the race results had wetsuits been allowed.
The lesson learned it that it would be wise for all athletes as well as officials to be thoroughly familiar with the rules so that any objections/corrections may be timeously lodged.
Tags: ironman training, triathlon results
