Was just reviewing the info for a tri this week, its a 1/2 IM with a few Kona IM slots open. They state that you have to keep 7M distance between you and the bike ahead, once passed You must slow till you are 7M behind.
This seems a bit nuts to me. I did a 1/2 IM last year in Cali and it was 2M i thought, now that made sense and 2M is easy to eyeball. So with over 1000 bikers getting out of the water within a 15 minute span there will be no way to keep a 7M spread until after about 10 miles or so. How can I give my best effort if I have to slow once someone gets a wheel in front of me? Do you just fight off every attempt to pass?
Am I nuts?
Its the Honu Tri north of Kona this sunday.

Thanks for any thoughts on this one.
bill

7 m is just over 20 feet. You'll still be getting a draft at that distance. 2 m (6 feet) is virtually drafting. If you move to the side (not straight back in the draft) while things are spreading out, I doubt the officials will get on your case. They can't kick everybody out of the race.

As long as any official that may be watching sees the gap increase once passed you're fine. Keep the gap constant under 7M and you'll get hit w/ a penalty. Not much you can do about it except try to keep from getting passed, but a stronger rider who has decided to pass you WILL pass you - don't blow yourself up trying to prevent the inevitable. That'll cost you more than the momentary backing off.

There is probably also a lateral allowance within that 7M block - moving only 3ft to the side may still be considered drafting if the gap is less than 7M.

Thanks for your thoughts,
the race went well, we were on the northern part of the Kona IM course, Hapuna to Hawi.
My time was 2:46 avg speed 20.2 MPH I can live with that.
Everyone of the race officials had completed the Kona IM before and they were good. They would watch ppl and give warnings if necessary, but I saw nobody get pulled over.
This race was done with a sin bin, and being pulled over. I like that better than NOT knowing. I hope it spreads.
I was pretty easy to keep about 20 ft, sometimes a lil less but but all in all a great race and good fun.
OK and if you have to know end time was 5:46, I was a bit slow on the run. Gotta work on that.
Cheers,
bill