gripen

Dave, I just want fewer people kicking me in the swim (and trying to get my goggles off in other ways). Other than that, it's a solo race and I couldn't care less!

They will most likely only start the finish clock at 7:00 - much like Kona. Yes, some people will get some extra time but if that's what you are counting on, I think you have bigger problems

Can someone maybe throw together a comparison of the old and new courses? Maybe I'm missing something but I do not see these new huge hills? What was the total climbing on the old course?

A birdie told me there were issues with the swim timing mats. I don't think we will see splits.

Usually, we swim from the canoe club around the white buoys - same direction as the paddlers (wear a bright cap) i.e. clockwise (well, if they are going clockwise). It's about a 1km lap. I think it's better to keep to the middle of the dam, but they will go around you anyway

I'm in for the 1.5km, no expectations. Just going to be getting used to the wetsuit again and try new goggles etc. I want to get an idea of what time I can expect to swim the 5150.

On a similar note, I can't stop my goggles leaking. Any suggestions? I already switched to a face mask type goggle. Also leaks. Very annoying. I can't get through a swim set lately. I've tried vaseline, not working.

While I agree 100% with this, somehow the demand has been accelerated so I have entered now. Was planning on December sometime but not prepared to risk missing out. Bit of a bugger to find affordable flights, good like to those who will leave that part to the last minute (our usual plan). Seems things are selling out WAY quicker than usual. I wonder how they extra 500 entries that they will release in a few weeks time will get there....

I've done it a few times. Around this time of year, I would expect around 18-19 deg. There haven't been big rains + floods, so visibility will be good. Since when does the temperature matter... wetsuit is wetsuit :-) It's not like it stops helping you if the temperature is higher

Yip, looks like R120 no matter which race or how many races you do. I'm then going to look at the 1500m as a time trial for 5150 the weekend after.. just need some wetsuit compatriots to kick (me) in the face

Hey davem, so which race will we swim with the wetsuit? What distance? and cost? I'm also keen, nice dam and with the 5150 coming... need to get in 1 or 2 wetsuit swims. Then again, there is a 50/50 chance always with VLC..

Wait a second, your maths is wrong. Last one was in August, next one in Jan - only 4 months. Probably only going to do 70.3 and IMSA in 2013 (less is more approach). Do them and do them well!

Actually, you just need the number on the card.. I entered without spending anything well kept secret..

Sorry man, not joining for rides - on a bit of a break sorting out some health issues. NY was pretty cool, but overall it was disappointing. Swim was awesome but the bike was boring as hell and the run was the toughest marathon I have done. Crazy amount of hills. Not fun. Also not really in New York, the last 7km are in Manhattan but loops inside a park so not in the city part at all really. Quite rough for the cost. I won't be doing it again. All in all a great experience, but mostly due to the holiday before and after - also good to see how they do things that side and how good our race in PE really is!

Surely to deal with drafting, they can install "random" timing mats and look at the time that you take to cross the mats. If there is a sub 3 second split, it's a 2 minute time penalty per infraction (can also be applied at the final water point / penalty tent). Those timing mats (even in the very high end races) look pretty low cost, so I can't see why they can't make use of more of them to sort out the drafting. I'm also all in favour of time trial swim starts. This was how it was done in an Ironman race I did recently and it was pretty damn awesome. It was 3.8km of pure swimming and 0 seconds of wrestling and close combat underwater.