In case you missed it, Ironman just amended the rules for 2024: https://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachments/document/114e-3151546/2024_IRONMAN_Competition_Rules_-_English_Version_FINAL_March_6_2024.pdf
Notable changes (bold parts are new):
Article V – Bike conduct
Section 5.01 – General
(i) Uniforms with a front zipper may be unzipped to any length, provided, that (i) the
zipper should be connected at the bottom of the uniform at all times, and (ii) the
top of the uniform should cover the shoulders at all times; (30 or 60 Second Time
Penalty (as applicable), DSQ if not remedied promptly)
(l) Athletes shall not dispose of trash or equipment (including, but not limited to, water
bottles, gel/bar wrappers, broken bike parts, clothing items, etc.) on the course
except at aid stations or other designated trash-disposal points. Intentional or
careless littering will result in a 5:00 Minute Time Penalty or disqualification.(m) Except as set forth below in Section 5.02(b), additional equipment that has the effect
of reducing wind resistance is prohibited during the bike segment of the Race
(whether such equipment is worn under the athlete’s clothing, over the athlete’s
clothing, or is otherwise attached to the athlete’s body or the athlete’s bike). This
includes, but is not limited to, (i) any bottles/hydration or any other insert located in
the front of an athlete’s race suit and (ii) any insert in an athlete’s calf sleeves; (DSQ)
Section 5.03 – Bike specifications
Protective screens, fuselages, fairings, or any other devices or materials (including
duct tape) added or blended into the structure with the intent to reduce (or having
the effect of reducing) resistance to air penetration are prohibited. Aerodynamic
assemblies and protuberances on the head tube or elsewhere are prohibited; (DSQ)
Article VI – Run conduct
Section 6.01 – General
(e) Uniforms with a front zipper may be unzipped to any length, provided, that (i) the
zipper should be connected at the bottom of the uniform at all times, and (ii) the
top of the uniform should cover the shoulders at all times; (30 or 60 Second Time
Penalty (as applicable), DSQ if not remedied promptly). The uniform should be fully
zipped when crossing the finish line;(f) Athletes shall not dispose of trash or equipment (including, but not limited to, water
bottles, gel/bar wrappers, broken bike parts, clothing items, etc.), on the course
except at aid stations or other designated trash-disposal points. Intentional or
careless littering will result in a 5:00 Minute Time Penalty or disqualification.
Article VIII – Physically challenged (“PC”) / Intellectual disability (“ID”) open division (“PC/ID Open”)
Section 8.01 – General
(c) (iii)Recumbent style tricycles are permitted only on handcycle (“HC”) approved
bicycle courses;
Article IX – Handcycle (“HC”) division
Section 9.03 – Bike conduct
(f) HC athletes must have a mirror fixed either to his/her helmet or at some point on
the front of his/her handcycle to ensure rear-view vision is possible.(g) HC athletes must have a high visibility safety flag mounted to the rear of their
handcycle. The top of the safety flag should measure a minimum of 1.8 meters/6
feet from the ground. The high visibility safety flag must be a minimum size of 21
centimeters/8 inches in height by 28 centimeters/10 inches in length.(h) HC athletes must have a red flashing light mounted to the rear of his/her handcycle,
as well as a solid white light fixed to the front of his/her handcycle.
Curious for y’all’s thoughts, but the biggest change seems to be that they’re banning putting a bottle down your jersey, which I have mixed feelings about. I could see banning something that exists solely for the aero benefit, but putting a bottle down your jersey doesn’t seem that different than putting it in a jersey pocket, even if there’s an aero benefit to it (similar to how aero bottles or hydration systems are fine, but fairings are not).
and performance dropped off. Had been progressing but a platto made it hard to continue the commitment.