MASSIVE Mass Swim Start Strategy

I ruv you and thanks for the vote of confidence

IN-teresting on the bold bit. Melbourne hasn't published full rules yet but it's possible swimming inside the buoy line would be an option (required to turn outside on the corners). Not sure what I'd do in that case.

Well, I'm not sure what I'd do or am going to do in any case, so that's why I'm asking.

There you go, I fixed it for you. 

I could be the leader of the crazies. Because I am (quite officially) beyond crazy.

So there's two votes for that strategy from superfly Ironmen I adore.

Yanti,

I watched the mass start at IMFL last year and they allowed you to swim inside the buoys and make your way back to the turn buoy which everyone has to go around.  There was lots of clean water there per my observations.  Not sure about your race and their specific rules but just wanted to pass that along.

So we're 3-for-1 on that strategy now. I also expect I'd more easily find some good feet towards the front.

Get up front. See who you can find to trail or lead the way.

What does the course look like? And is there a chance for current or waves that could push across the field? I'd base where up front off of that.

Deepwater start about 50m in front of jetty. They actually have a video of the swim course (and I've spoken to people who do their swim training there, BRRRR) and it's fairly flat and currentless. There may be a bit of chop coming in perpendicularly to the course (towards shore).

(IM Melbourne Swim.jpg)

Unless you are in the back, you will physically not be able to "wait 30 seconds" as you will get dunked and swam over. At least that has been my experience. You just go when you can go, or risk being pushed under. Of course those who wanted to wait started in the very, very back on purpose. Always an option.

However, with Yanti's experience, speed and endurance I'm going to go with the team and say to start towards the front, close to or inside the bouey line. You can definitely handle it.

Seed yourself next to someone that looks tasty, so if there are sharks, they will take your neighbor instead of you...

Now you see, that will be impossible.  Miss Yanti will be the tastiest looking fish out there.  

I started along the buoy line at CdA, right in the middle of the scrum.  I'm not fast enough to get ahead of the pack so it was a lot of work and wasted energy.

At Western Australia, the swim goes around the Busselton jetty.  There was a good current perpendicular to the swim course, so I started way right.  By the time I got to the end of the jetty, I was right next to it.  I was surprised how few people started on the outside like I did.  I was still able to find some feet but I had much more elbow room, so to speak.

I vote front row (or very near) in whichever position suits you.  If they are offering an inside line between buoys I'd take it.  It has been my experience that few will take advantage of that and I've usually found pretty clear sailing inside the lines.

I've done several 1,000+ mass starts and hanging back at the start is not a good strategy if you are a strong swimmer. 

Yanti, I faced the same issue with IMFL in 2010 for my first mass start.  Here's a clip from my race report:

My swim ranking was 148/403 in M40-44 and 752/2301 overall, so I'm in the range you expect to be in.  Also, I'm comfortable with the scrum too, but after an hour+ in 3 ft waves and never getting clear of the washing machine, I was ready to get out of the water.

like the last poster, I did IMFL in 2010 as my first IM and I'm around the same ability as you.  On my coaches advise, I started 2nd row and far to the right (outside).  I will start more in the fray next time.  I found that I was surrounded by people that weren't as good as me and got punched way too many times by people swinging their arms around and couldn't get a good draft.

I was 731 OA and 16/83 OA. I didn't find a good draft anywhere in the race except to the the first turn due to where I started and getting way off course both times coming into shore due to the current.

My coach is crazy and thinks I can do 1:00 at IMWI this year.  I'm pushing for 1:05.