Questions for USAT Officials?

I think all the rules seem really self-explanitory, and are quite reasonable, IMO.

I just wish they were more strongly enforced.  Especially rules like "no drafting" and "no littering."   

John:

Glad to see that you and Janice are doing the clinic ... watching a race unfold from an officials perspective opens up a completely different viewpoint while affording a chance to give back to the sport.

The one thing that I would ask for clarificaiton on is the definition of "failure to pass" (e.g. entering the draft zone and not passing within 15 seconds) ... it's a stickler.

Ask 'em what it's going to take to make drafing a DQ'able offense first time caught.  It's dangerous (riding in packs in the aero), yields the most time benefit, yet carries a similar penalty to 'bar end plug missing' or 'trimming your race number'.  Rediculous.

Not that you're there to CHANGE the rules, just interpret 'em.  Maybe ask about the race number modification thing....can you trim your race number to fit your bike's shape/seatpost, as long as it's 'minor' and doesn't cut any part of the number?

yeah, and about the helmet thing, why can't they just simplify it and say "must be buckled before leaving/entering transistion area?"......or "while ON the bike?"

and my pet peeve.... music players on the run.  Instead of on motorcycles, do they have anyone standing there at certain points on the course taking note? 

what if my number's made out of cheap paper, it falls off of my bike and I get penalized for no number?

And in defense of Keith, who is one of the best race directors around, I'm betting he does that to insure that no competitors in his races get hit with a "chinstrap penalty" or even come close to being subject to a marginal call.  You're going to be wearing your helmet for a long period of time anyway, a few more seconds is no big deal.  I like the rule about having it clipped before the bike comes off the rack and unclipping after it goes on.

That's all very good, I can't even see the practicality of trying to fasten your chinstrap after taking the bike off the rack, just not enough hands. But again my primary question is does a USAT official have the responsibility and authority to enforce a non-USAT rule, if indeed that is what this is?

I have one:

How nude is nude? Nudity isn't allowed, but would my green Borat suit be allowed? I was going to wear it at IMFL, at least under my wetsuit (I would have stripped the wetsuit off on the beach, and then ran in to the transition tent with it on), but it came in after I left. But if I had worn it, would it have violated the nudity rule?

(seriously...I'd like to wear it at some point in the future)

Dude, I've seen the Borat suit ... at the very least it would be a variable time penalty - possibly a DQ, but only as a public service.

You wouldn't be saying that if Fernanda Keller was wearing it...

speaking of whom, my Triathlete magazine has mysteriously disappeared...... and I just got it yesterday!!! 

carry on.

Don't you have a teenage son?

Jim, the Borat suit covers more than some of the banana hammocks I've seen worn in triathlons. Though you in the Borat suit would look a lot like a bundle of kindling wrapped in green Lycra twine.

I don't want to hijack this thread with a whole music/no music argument - but here goes.

If no music is the rule, will they be enforcing it?  If not, why bother having it as a rule?  This isn't like drafting where sometimes there just isn't an official around.  Nobody who's using a music player hides it. 

Again, not debating whether it should be a rule or not, just asking why it isn't enforced, at least at the few events I've been too.

Also - where are we at on the "no sh irts for men" rule?  Just curious.

Have you seen it from the back? I can post pics if you want.

I don't think "no music" is a rule. The rule is "no headphones," and it's strictly enforced at the tris around here. Running races, not so much.

The mandatory torso coverage was a proposal that died in committee, never was a rule.

For each of the races I have helped to officiate, we have ridden the run the course to look for headphones ... and of the four races I volunteered at last year I did not see a single triathlete wearing headphones.

At the certification clinic I attended Charlies Crawford, the Commissioner of Officials, did describe one guy at the Gulf Coast H-IM who taped computer speakers to his handle bars ... which he described as ridiculous but legal.

Curious to know if there is a "must wear a top" rule for men on bike and run.  I've heard it before but NEVER seen it enforced.  If there is such a rule, what is the logic behind it?

Whoopsie...ignore previous post.  Question answered.