The Rules of Triathlon: Drafting, Blocking, Outside Assistance and More!
I recently watched Coach Rich's Coach's chat on: The Rules of Triathlon: Drafting, Blocking, Outside Assistance and More!
Even considering myself a "seasoned IM veteran" with 4 races under my belt I found it super helpful and I recommend that you all go and watch it here: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFWFLjwkFbg
I searched but couldn't find a Forum post discussing this topic so I figured I'd start one in case people have other questions not already discussed in the video.
I'll go first as I've had a rules question since I did IMFL a couple yrs ago and never figured out the answer. Coach Rich briefly mentioned it in his chat, but I would like a clarification/expansion of the answer.
What happens if you get hit for drafting on the bike but you do NOT stop at the next penalty tent? Is it really a disqualification or do they just add 4 minutes to your finishing time? What if you legitimately did not see the official give you the penalty or you thought they were giving it to someone else? If you get the drafting penalty early in the bike leg, but there are multiple penalty tents, what happens if you wait until the penalty tent right before the finish of the bike to serve your penalty?
I just found that completely stopping for 4.5-5 mins at like mile 52 of a 112 mile bike caused my legs to cramp up pretty badly (which effected me for the next ~6 hrs) and I have heard similar stories from others. Seems as though I'd rather just have 4 mins added to my time post-facto and keep pedaling. Or, I'd rather bang out the 112 miles and stop at the Penalty tent right near bike dismount area and stretch and get mentally prepared for the run after I served the 4 mins.
I know the right answer is don't draft. But sometimes even if you think you are innocent, you can get banged with a penalty. I know when it happened to me at IMFL I was TOTALLY surprised because I did NOT think I was drafting (I was eating a Powerbar at what I thought was 4 bike lengths back when I got hit).
Comments
Thanks for hooking up this post. I posted the video and my notes to the wiki here last week. See me in red above.
John, I copied and pasted the rule. I added the underlines in the areas I think may answer your questions. My short answer: If the race has a Penalty Area, it should be at the end of the bike, so you would be able to serve after completing the bike leg. But reading Rich's response leads me to question the Rule I cite. He has quite a bit more experience in the field than I have. Bob
3.7B Assessment of Time Penalties/Conduct of Athletes. Elite Rules.
All variable time penalties imposed under Section 3.7A shall be assessed in accordance with this Section. Except as otherwise provided herein, any violation of or failure to comply with this Section 3.7B shall result in disqualification.
(a) First Violation – Stop and Go System. Unless a Penalty Area System is being used pursuant to subsection (b), an athlete charged with a first violation of these Rules in which a time penalty is expressly authorized shall safely pull over to the side of the bicycle course and shall come to a complete stop, placing both feet on the ground. An athlete charged with a violation while in transition or on the run course shall come to a complete stop. The race official shall properly mark the athlete’s race numbers and the athlete shall remain stopped under the direction of the race official for a period of time equal to the applicable variable time penalty. When the official indicates that the time penalty has expired, the athlete may continue with the race.
(b) First Violation – Penalty Area System. Notwithstanding subsection (a), if a Penalty Area is being used in the event, an athlete charged with a first violation of these Rules in which a time penalty is expressly authorized shall (1) safely decrease speed while maintaining a straight line of movement, (2) come to a complete stop, and (3) place both feet flat on the ground while completely stopped. The race official shall properly mark the athlete’s race numbers and allow the athlete to continue with the race. After completing the bicycle course and properly securing the bicycle, the penalized athlete shall immediately report to the designated penalty box or penalty area, which shall be located within or adjacent to the transition area (the "Penalty Area"). The penalized athlete shall remain in the Penalty Area for a cumulative amount of time equal to the variable time penalty assessed against the athlete. After such time has expired as determined by race officials, the athlete may exit the Penalty Area and continue with the race. Any time served in the Penalty Area shall become incorporated into the athlete’s official time for the event. An athlete charged with a violation while in transition or on the run course shall be directed by the official to serve the penalty either in place or at the Penalty Area.
(c) Penalty marking. For any first violation, the race official shall apply a visible diagonal mark across the face of each race number worn by the penalized athlete. For any second violation, or for any violation which results in disqualification, the race official will apply a second visible diagonal mark across all the athlete’s race numbers resulting in an X shaped mark.
(d) Penalty Area Conduct. While in the Penalty Area, no athlete shall dress, undress, change uniforms, or adjust any race equipment. Running shoes may be worn into, but shall not be carried into the Penalty Area. While in the Penalty Area, no athlete shall accept any form of aid or assistance, including food, drink, or equipment, from any other person, including race officials. Any violation of this Section shall result in disqualification.
So what was this all about? WTC wanted the race to occur in real time, meaning an athlete would know as he was finishing the race and say catching someone ahead of him that he was really going to finish ahead of that person and not be at risk for time added on after the fact due to penalties.That's why the stand down during the race was considered so important to them. Obviously, with some races now with the swim start protocol, that concern is mute, but the vestige remains, and is of course critical for the pros.
Now, what are the WTC rules. The athlete guide for US races says two things. First, "if you fail to report to the next PT, you may be disqualified." Then, 7 paragraphs later, there's this, "[The athlete will] Be disqualified for not reporting to the PT." So you'd take your chances if you waited until the last tent, as it says "the" not "a" PT, but doesn't say "next". Lawyer's field day, IMO.
As to John's. concerns about standing down... I've had two penalties in my IM career (oddly they were in the first two races after I joined EN!). The first, I had to stop in the PT at about mile 35-40. I DNF'd that race, after having BAAAAD cramps on the bike starting mile 75, dropping out at mile 10 of the run. The next race, I served my time about 100 meters from T2, basically adding 4 minutes to my transition time. In that race, I had my IM run PR, as well as my IM bike PR, missing an overall PR by 30" with the penalty included. Draw your own conclusions.
Al, You're correct. I quoted the USAT rule. I didn't think to check WTC. Good catch. In the '90's I was on Tri-Fed's (predecessor of USAT) Rules and Safety Committee. One of our primary duties was to handle appeals. A couple of interesting appeals, but I don't recall any involving time penalties. I want to say every rule violation during competition was a DQ.
@Al, your personal experience sounds like mine and many others. It certainly felt like it happened to me and it also happened to Sukhi Maker at IMCoz last yr. A sample size of 3 is certainly big enough for me to try to avoid if possible.