Nap time by Felipe Gutiérrez: The free "draft" that comes to us ...

Our collaborator Felipe Gutierrez tells us about the recent change of the ITU regulation on drafting tests

It seems that in the long distance there starts to be a bit of troubled waters to comment that it is possible that the "draft" in a short time is free.

But before IM wants to do some trials even doing outputs of 15 triathletes in 150 waves. I do not know if we are going crazy. The truth is that the nap on Wednesdays rather than clarify me, leaves me in uncertainty. Is it true that ITU and IM are in negotiations to move aside? I know, but when the river sounds ...

My column this week is titled THE FREE "DRAFT" THAT GETS US ... there it goes:

"A few days ago the ITU (International Triathlon Union), has sent in its newsletter one that could revolutionize the world of our sport, in terms of regulation is fundamentally related, although logically would be affected some original concepts of triathlon.

According to the ITU, in an attempt to give a boost to the format of the traditional triathlon, this year in the series of the ITU World Cup, will be accentuated by racing, "free draft" or what we better know as "tailgating freely". These races are not yet designated, but the ITU encourages the directors of this Cup to participate in this experience.

The ITU officials estimate that this could give a new vision of the concept of triathlon, Valuing that this variable could give a more interesting and more actionable test. They know that there are many people who are against this proposal but also many in favor of change, so they are willing to experiment and then know the results.

Obviously those responsible for ITU, see the pros and cons but think that for the professional triathlete this is a key to open the door to the recognition of our sport and for the realization of triathletes.

From this moment the controversy is served, because there will be many people in favor, but no doubt there will also be many against it.

What is the position that each of us will take? Surely there will be something for everyone.

We want to open a forum where the opinions of all those who want to comment on this issue can be evaluated in order to be clear about the position of all our triathletes and not that of the directors, even if it is the omnipotent ITU. "

Everything is feasible for the future of long distance, but this column already published it in April of 1994 in the magazine TODO TRIATLÓN when the drafting arrived at the Olympic distance.

Of course there were discussions, opinions and this generated moments of bad humor for everyone, but in the end disappeared the formula forbidden to go to wheel, although some (less and less) keep thinking about those triathlons where nobody goes to anyone's wheel. Yes, 20 years have passed and now that column could serve us for the Long Distance. I get the impression that this regulation will also fall in IM, although I think they want to keep it in the Pros, but the rest ... we'll see.

Surely many will tear your clothes before these decisions, before the multiple exits with few triathletes ... but if it goes where the thing is going we will have to think 20 years later in THE FREE "DRAFT", THAT GIVES US, also to the long distance. Poor "vicious" IM !, also I do not know anyone who "chupe rueda".

To wait and see how the chips move the ITU and IM.

Felipe Gutiérrez

Photo: deportedelsur.com