Vineman Ironman 70.3

Wish I could but won't be out there until July ~ It would be very helpful. I drove it last year the day before the race and was very glad I did....Riding it prior would be even better...

Not sure I'll have time to ride it either, however, I'm interested in a light swim Saturday morning in the course. Anyone up for that?

They have a group swim scheduled for Saturday at 10:30a. I did it last week. Well worth it. Very, very warm water.

I heard the top layer - like a foot down - is exceptionally warm, forget those wetsuits...

Are you saying you don't think it is going to be wetsuit legal???

That's the way it's looking now. The water was 81 degrees yesterday.

Yikes 81.....I just talked to my brother last night who lives there and he said they were having a heat wave - it had been well over 100 there. Guess I better go do a swim without my wetsuit this evening - I've been training only with it - thinking for sure it would be wetsuit legal.

What happens if we wear wetsuits when the water temp is above 78 deg? Are we just ineligible for prizes (which is NOT a concern for me), or do we not get a timing chip and official time? How much slower should I expect my time to be w/o a wetsuit? Also, is anyone else perturbed that they extended the bike course? I need all the help I can get...not a longer course!

Here is USAT's rule on wetsuits....

Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit.


So as long as it is below 84 you can wear it if you are not worried about prizes/awards. You would just have to decide what your comfort level was. There still is no official word on wetsuits at this time.

Don't worry too much it is only extended by a small amount......I think they were just out of options.

It's a great - fun race.... Enjoy!

Ugh, a heat wave? As if training in Tucson isn't bad enough...alas, I heard it should cool down by the weekend. Keep your fingers crossed.

I wonder if there is a liability concern with the water temp and wetsuits? Has anyone died from heat stroke swimming with a wetsuit in warm water?

According to the race program, Vineman has it's own additional rule besides the USAT rule - anyone who chooses to wear a wetsuit if the temps are betw. 78-84 starts in a special wave - 8 minutes after the LAST wave, and will not get timing chips. From the vineman website/race program: http://vineman.com/index_main.php3?l=h

8. USAT’s guidelines regarding wetsuits will be followed. It is most likely that wetsuits will be allowed & the water temperature is expected to be approximately 76 degrees. If the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees (and wetsuits are optional & those choosing to wear them are not eilgible for awards per USAT rule) athletes wearing wetsuits will start eight minutes after the last scheduled wave. Athletes starting in this wave will not wear timing chips and will not receive times.

Seems like wearing a wetsuit if the temp is above 78 degrees would be a very bad idea - starting at about 8:40, and not getting timed. Not to mention the fact that you'd probably be completely overheated by the time you got out of the water...

I can't imagine anybody opting for a wetsuit if no timing chip. The bike course is less than a mile longer than regulation, you'll live..... Bike course a mile longer? Don't we all like long course? That's why we pick a 5-6 hour race in the middle of summer! We enjoy pain and suffering!

Plus where they extended the course is mostly a slight downhill, or flat the worst. A couple of extra minutes to spin out the legs before the run. Shouldn't be a big deal.