Sad news for High Cliff tri

Here's the link since I got a 404 (missing) page:
http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/fox_cities/man-dies-during-high-cliff-triathlon

Okay, the information in the page really had no details.

I need to ask - why are these races not safe, actually?  Do they have cyanide-laced open water?  Does the water have exposed electrical lines in them?  Are there punji sticks placed in the shallow end upon exit?  Piranhas or sharks with lasers on their heads targeting this person?

The person drowned because, *gasp*, maybe the person did not know they had an undetected heart problem or they weren't prepared to handle the race?

I would have to say that the race co-ordinator(s), governing board, etc. have more than likely made it known in the disclaimer, that all have to sign, that there is a risk involved.

Unless there were no emergency personnel available (which there should be), or were not available for some reason, or were incompetent with doing their job, or someone attacked the athlete in the water, then the point is moot.

Very sad, especially to witness.  I have my own opinions about that, but...

MSE has had a rough few years, and it is really starting to look like either there is a really long shot coincidence, of a pattern emerging.

My heart goes out to the family of the athlete.

I agree that this is very sad and yes it has happened at both MSE events and at  other tris. Many events including MSE events have beginner waves or have special caps for beginners.   This is a good safety measure. 

I have participated in many MSE events and I have been impressed with how they put on their events.  I did Pewaukee in 2010 and 2011.  There was an increase in lifeguards in 2011 however, there was no lack of in 2010.  The one thing I would like to see especially at Pewaukee is 2 elite waves, one for the women and one for the men.  I have raced elite both years and will again this year and I can definitly hold my own out there. However, when you are lined up next to guys that are twice your size and know that you are going to be battling for a spot in the water it can be a bit intimidating

While MSE has had some unfortunate incidents happen the last few years I don't believe that it is due to lack of safety measures on their part.

So sad for the family.  I don't know exactly what happened but it is really sad to hear about these stories.

I did High Cliff 1/2 in 2010 and the waves were taller than me.  They should have cut the swim short as there were many times lifeguards were not visible, much less swimmers.  The trails were muddy and there was no attempt to make them safe either.  I am never doing that race again.

I also did Door County 1/2 in 2010 and 2011.  The difference was astounding.  There are so many swim buoys you don't really even need to sight.  The lifeguards were super close together and athlete tracking was superb in all stages of the race.  It was probably the best run race I have ever seen.

The difference isn't the distance, it's the focus on safety. 

Thats a difference between a Gloria event and a Sean Ryan event  Sean's races are top-notch.

Ironman is roughly 2500 at once

Oops hit submit too soon.

What I was going to say is Ironman starts everyone but pros at once.  I think it is chaotic and it made me nervous, but I have never heard of a death DURING Ironman.  I know a lot of people have issues with this venue - and I agree with a lot of it.  However, things do happen that is beyond the race director/safety staff/athletes control.  We have professional athletes dropping dead from undetected heart issues.  It is going to happen unfortunately.  I would just question if there were enough lifeguards.  Sadly, if it was a heart issue, more lifeguards might not have meant he would have been safe.  I have participated in several events where they TELL you to raise your hand if you need help.  You are then teaching the lifeguards to look for someone asking for help.  Read the article. 

http://gcaptain.com/drowning/?10981

Main reasons for me that MSE are not safe, at least for me are of the following.

1. USAT rules: 1 lifeguard for every 50 swimmers, this DOES NOT happen at MSE events

2. Poor aid stations: High Cliff was another example of many in the front packs beating the volunteers to the aid stations

3. Gloria: She doesn't seem to be too organized and is always running with her head cut off, short, and sometimes tempered

4. Pewaukee: Way overcrowded course, full of beginners, dangers bike course with the # of participants

5. Waves: why are they in the registration order? it makes no sense and further complicates everything, every other race goes by AG, why not here?

6. Why do less and less people volunteer for MSE events every year? Why do I get emails the week before the race saying the need help and are short on volunteers

7. Price: Yes these races are cheap, you pay for what you get

Those are some reasons why I feel this way. I don't mean to hi-jack this thread from the OP, but I just wanted to make my points clear.