Aero Tops
Has anyone researched the aero tops that are on the market? I know there is the pearl izumi octane (1 piece suit) the Louis garneau suit (also 1 piece) and the Castelli T-1 stealth. The word over on slowtwitch from the aero camp thread was that the aero-ness of the top depended on the fit under and through the arms. Bunching up was worse than a tight fitting singlet. Not being able to go the the wind tunnel, but wanting to take advantage of the time savings (Castelli claims 3 minutes over Ironman course) Im thinking of trying the castelli top and seeing how it fits. It also offers great sun protection.
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I have used the PI Octane, Fusion Speedsuit, and Castelli Free San Remo SS, which is similar to the T1 Stealth but is a one piece.
The PI Octane had the best "feel" to it. It felt like a second skin. The pad, however, kind of sucks and I felt the quality of the suit (stitching, zippers, etc.) was less than average.
The Castelli had the best pad but the sizing of the Castelli was completely whack. I always wear a medium in every tri or cycling gear I have and I could barely get the medium on. The large fit better but was too wrinkly. The weird mesh back still got me sunburned. So I will disagree with your sun protection assertion from experience.
The Fusion doesn't have the second skin feel of the PI Octane but it's comfortable. It also has the best zipper as it goes down far enough that you do not have to totally take it off to go pee. Pad is good and the quality of the suit seems excellent. The Fusion is my choice to wear for races from now on.
Sleeved tops are a no-go for the swim in WTC non wetsuit swims, right?
Is this the case in the USAT races?
I don't have any WTC events this year. A couple of oly's and a HIM that are USAT. I checked the rules online and didn't see anything mentioned.
I know that these are NOT speedsuits. Am I correct in thinking that the sleeved tops are not treated as an equal in the rules?
USAT rules....
ARTICLE IV: SWIMMING CONDUCT4.1 Permissible Strokes. Swimmers may use any stroke to propel themselves through the water and may tread water or float.
4.2 Bottom Contact and Resting. A participant may stand on the bottom or rest by holding an inanimate object such as a buoy, boat, rope or floating object. Excluding the bottom, a participant shall not use any inanimate object to gain forward progress. A violation of this section shall result in a variable time penalty, unless the Head Referee in his/her sole discretion determines that (i) the violation was substantial and resulted in an unfair time advantage, or (ii) the violation constituted endangerment under Section 3.4(1).
4.3 Emergencies. A swimmer experiencing difficulty and in need of assistance shall raise an arm overhead, and pump it up and down, and call or seek assistance. A swimmer, who has received official assistance, whether voluntary or involuntary, must retire and withdraw from the remainder of the race unless such assistance did not aid the swimmer in making forward progress. No swimmer shall return to the race if the official rendering assistance requests that the participant withdraw from the race or receive medical assistance.
4.4 Wet suits. 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. The wetsuit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council. The AAC has set the wetsuit maximum temperature for elite athletes at 68 degrees for swim distances less than 3000 meters and 71.6 degrees for distances of 3000 meters or greater.
Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5 millimeters shall be disqualified.
4.5 Notice of Wet Suit Policy. The wet suit policy for any particular race shall be included on all race literature that is intended for distribution to potential participants. The wet suit policy shall conform to Section 4.4, unless a change is granted in compliance with Section 1.4. The wet suit policy on such literature shall include the following information, if applicable;
a. Any changes from Section 4.4;
b. Any specific restrictions on equipment;
c. Any disparity between the wet suit policy for age group athletes and the policy for elite athletes.
4.6 Measuring Water Temperature. It is recommended, but not required that the water temperature for a race be finally determined by a measurement made within 2 hours of the race start. A water temperature measurement should also be taken prior to any pre-race meetings in order to forecast to the athletes as early as possible the likely water temperature on race day and the likelihood of whether wet suits will be allowed on race day.
4.7 Official Equipment. If provided by race management, a swimmer shall wear the proper official swim cap corresponding to his wave. The penalty for an infraction of this rule is a variable time penalty. For safety reasons if no official cap is provided, all swimmers should wear their own brightly colored swim cap.
4.8 Goggles. Swimmers may wear, but shall not be required to wear, swim goggles or face masks.
4.9 Illegal Equipment. Any swimmer wearing any artificial propulsion device, including but not limited to fins, gloves, paddles, or floating devices of any kind shall be disqualified.
Legal for USAT because they don't have a rule saying it isn't. :-)
Thanks, Bob!
I'd love an explanation from someone as to how sleeves provide an advantage. I asked Jimmy R. (WTC's head ref) on ST about this a while back and he just said WTC adopted the ITU/FINA rule. That's great but that wasn't my question.