Emilio's Statement on WTC's recent ban of the T1 Water Rover starting Sept 1, 2010 (Page 2)

My thoughts: the Swim is a very small portion of a 70.3 or 140.6 race.  Rarely does someone come out of the water in first and hold the lead to the tape. 

The Bike however is a very significant portion of a 70.3 or 140.6 race, and often the leaders off the bike are the first one's to the finish line, save a few blow-ups.  In just the last 2.5 years I've been in this sport, I've seen new bikes come out, like the P4, that according to wind tunnel data will save several minutes over a 112 mile distance, based on design alone!  The Bike manufacturers are producing more aero and narrower bikes, not to mention the down tube water bottles which are pure fairings; not to mention disc wheels, and 90mm deep carbon fairings on the rims, aero helmets, etc...  All devices and equipment that are proven to gain speed and lessen times without any extra effort.  So why WTC (as mentioned, a for-profit event organizing entity; not a ruling/governing body) has a beef with a wetsuit manufacturer adding 5mm of neoprene to the legs of a wetsuit; yet, a P4 frame with a water bottle fairing, 90mm front wheel, disc rear, and aero helmet is legal is ridiculous and contradictory.

Emilio claimed it's the fastest wetsuit.  Big whoop.  Every other bike manufacturer claims The World's Fastest Bike!  Perhaps if De Soto had as much money and clout as some of the bike manufacturers, the Rover would be legal.  To me, this is the WTC clearly picking on a smaller company.  WTC wouldn't dare lock horns with the bike industry which is a hundred times larger than the wetsuit industry.  De Soto simply "claims" a faster wetsuit.  They have not published any data that I know of.  Whereas the bike manufacturers and wheel corporations go to great pains and expense to publish all the scientific data that proves there products will make you faster, with no additional effort.  And yet WTC says nothing to them. 

Also, in the WTC Rules it states: No tandems, recumbents, fairings, or any add-on device designed exclusively to reduce resistance are allowed. 

WTF??  Why don't they inforce these rules???  The maker of my Jet 60 wheels, HED, clearly and unabashedly states the Jet 90 and Jet 60 has a carbon fairing.  Cervelo (a HUGE COMPANY compared to De Soto) cannot deny the P4 water bottle is a pure fairing.  It also states in most of the rules for most races: No Solid Wheels.  Yet discs are used and no one questions it. 

Shame on WTC for picking on a small company like De Soto for trying to be innovative and simply do what the bike and wheel manufacturers have been doing for over a decade.  If WTC really wants to get back to its roots than ban ALL wetsuits, ban all aero helmets, aero frames, and let's be consistent in our rules across all three disciplines. 

Here's a cyclist (Dunbar) from Kona 1978:

And here is a cyclist (Lieto) from Kona present:

“Ironman recognizes the importance of showcasing the competitive element at all events. We believe these amendments place more emphasis on performance and function and less on technology, therefore staying true with the Ironman spirit ,” says Ironman’s Head of Officials, Jimmy Riccitello.

Are you freaking kidding me??  Yeah, millions of dollars haven't gone into technology to make bikes and wheels more aerodynamic, less wind resistant, thus allowing athletetes to go faster without expending more effort.  What an effing Joke. Puh-leeeeeeease.  As always, it boils down to MONEY.  WTC is picking on a small wetsuit manufacturer in an attempt to make themselves look better; whereas, they would never dare go after a corporation larger than themselves.  Bullying and pure Bullshiit at its best. 

5.11 Bicycle Specifications. All bicycles and bicycle equipment used in USA Triathlon sanctioned events must conform to the specifications set forth in this Section. Any participant using a nonconforming bicycle or otherwise violating this Section shall be disqualified.

Here yah go.  From Eagleman 2009:  http://www.tricolumbia.org/Eagleman/IronMan_Race_Rules_2009.pdf

Bike Rule #13:

No tandems, recumbents, fairings, or any add

Ironman Louisville, same thing: http://admin.ironman.com/assets/files/races/louisville/pdf/mediaguide.pdf

: a member or structure whose primary function is to produce a smooth outline and to reduce drag

This is pretty black and white.  Aero wheels are clearly fairings.  Aero water bottles are clearly fairings.  A sheet of carbon covering an entire back wheel is CLEARLY a giant fairing that produces a very smooth outline and reduces drag.

Ironman Philippines: http://www.ironman703phil.com/rules

Any other comment or constructive critique to the post?  Other than picking out one small sentence. 

Well then they shouldn't spew pure BS like saying they're doing it to depend less on technology and keep in line with the Spirit of Ironman.  Compare this wetsuit enhancement to a regular wetsuit.  Then compare a bike from today to 15 years ago. 

We're detracting from the entire point of my post and focusing a microscope on one sentence.  Just make believe that sentence doesn't exist.

It's not my interpretation.  It's the dictionary's simple definition of fairing.  It's pretty Black and White.  The damn wheel manufacturers even call it a fairing.  But MONEY turns Black and White definitions into Grey area.