DRAFT BUSTERS
220 Triathlon|Spring 2023
IT'S BEEN A BLIGHT ON THE SPORT FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES, BUT TWO KIWI TRIATHLETES WERE DETERMINED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF DRAFTING IN TRI - AND THEY MIGHT'VE JUST CRACKED IT
- TIM HEMING
DRAFT BUSTERS

A sea change in triathlon's history was triggered because it was decided that drafting - the act of riding in a competitor's slipstream - couldn't be properly policed. It was almost 30 years ago, and the switch to draft-legal racing, abolishing the need for triathletes to mind the energy-saving gap, was a critical if controversial step to earning the sport its Olympic bow in Sydney 2000.

The rifts of that period - and there were plenty have mainly healed, and triathlon has evolved so now short-course draft-legal competition and the longer non-drafting scene reside more or less happily alongside one another.

But the issue of how to solve drafting, or - more bluntly and in the eyes of many - cheating, drags on. For amateurs looking to complete a first Ironman it's rarely a topic of concern, yet for those who love competition, especially the strong cyclists who feel most compromised, it remains the bane of racing lives. While different strategies have been adopted to try and enforce fairer racing, such as lengthening draft zones, putting more technical officials (or draft-busters) on course, and even introducing shame-inducing penalty laps on the run, nothing, as yet, has cracked the code.

SOLVING THE PROBLEM

It's long been thought that technology would provide the answer. But would any system be accurate enough, and would anyone be crazy enough to invest the years and cash in devising a niche product that had no guarantee of being embraced by race organisers?

Step forward two former pro triathletes from New Zealand, James Elvery and Dylan McNeice, and rewind nine years to the origins of Race Ranger.

この蚘事は 220 Triathlon の Spring 2023 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、8,500 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は 220 Triathlon の Spring 2023 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、8,500 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

220 TRIATHLONのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
THE MULTISPORT MAVERICK
220 Triathlon

THE MULTISPORT MAVERICK

Bike powerhouse Andrew Starykowicz has done things his own way for the length of his 15-year pro career. Now, on the eve of his retirement, he looks back on the lessons learned along the way

time-read
6 分  |
June 2024
HOW CONTRAST CAN LEAD TO PERFORMANCE GAINS
220 Triathlon

HOW CONTRAST CAN LEAD TO PERFORMANCE GAINS

While volume and consistency are the cornerstones of endurance fitness, contrast and variability can play a key part of your training. Here, Ben explains how

time-read
2 分  |
June 2024
SWIM STRAIGHT MASTERCLASS
220 Triathlon

SWIM STRAIGHT MASTERCLASS

WITH THE LAUNCH OF AN INNOVATIVE NEW 'SWIMSTRAIGHT' FUNCTION ON FORM'S SMART SWIM 2 GOGGLES, WE TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO WHY BEING ABLE TO SWIM IN A STRAIGHT LINE IS SO IMPORTANT TO OPEN-WATER SWIMMERS..

time-read
5 分  |
June 2024
GROUP TEST OPEN-WATER GOGGLES
220 Triathlon

GROUP TEST OPEN-WATER GOGGLES

Finding the right pair of goggles can make or break your open-water swim. Luckily, we have a whopping 14 pairs on test this issue! It can be tempting to skimp on your open-water goggles and just use the same ones you've had in your kit bag all winter for pool swimming.

time-read
10 分  |
June 2024
BUYER'S GUIDE BUDGET TRI-SUITS
220 Triathlon

BUYER'S GUIDE BUDGET TRI-SUITS

You don’t have to break the bank to break your PB. Here are seven suits that claim three-discipline comfort and speed. Do they live up to their promises?

time-read
7 分  |
June 2024
MID-RANGE WETSUITS
220 Triathlon

MID-RANGE WETSUITS

We included entry-level wetsuits in last month’s mag, but what do you get if'you move up a tier..? We tried 10 suits in the mid-range to find out.

time-read
6 分  |
June 2024
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO TRIATHLON TRANSITIONS
220 Triathlon

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO TRIATHLON TRANSITIONS

You've started open-water swimming, spent hours on the bike and acclimatised to running on jelly legs. But what about transitions? The devil's in the detail here and those details could save you minutes on race day. So, here’s how to nail them...

time-read
8 分  |
June 2024
THE TRAILBLAZER YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
220 Triathlon

THE TRAILBLAZER YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF

It’s 100 years since Alfonsina Strada became the first and only woman to complete the men’s Giro d'Italia. Thanks to new women’s triathlon and cycling apparel brand Alfonsina, we reflect on the exploits of this incredible pioneer...

time-read
4 分  |
June 2024
30 WAYS TO SMASH YOUR FIRST IRON
220 Triathlon

30 WAYS TO SMASH YOUR FIRST IRON

Nervously edging closer to your first full-distance triathlon? These tips will help send you to the finish line safe and sound...

time-read
9 分  |
June 2024
"WE HAVE A UNIQUE SIBLING BOND THAT MAKES RACING SPECIAL"
220 Triathlon

"WE HAVE A UNIQUE SIBLING BOND THAT MAKES RACING SPECIAL"

Tia Watson is just 17 but she’s a recordbreaker already with a little help from her incredible brother, Rio...

time-read
2 分  |
June 2024