What is drafting?

What is drafting in triathlon?

Drafting, or slipstreaming, primarily concerns the cycling part 🚲. It allows you to benefit from the slipstream created by the competitor in front of you by positioning yourself in their wheel. This reduces your air resistance 🌬️, saving you between 10 and 40% of energy compared to the one leading the way. Races allowing drafting can thus favor less powerful athletes in cycling! 🚴

Drafting transforms race strategy 😏. In events where it is allowed, gaps created in swimming are often reduced as athletes form packs on the bike. This means that exiting the water in a good position to latch onto a fast group becomes a priority 💪.

Conversely, drafting is sometimes prohibited to preserve the spirit of individual effort in the discipline.

The regulations in triathlon

The decision to allow or prohibit drafting depends on the organizer and can vary according to the distance of the event ⚠️. For example, in M distances and high-level competitions, drafting is generally allowed to encourage a faster and more spectacular race 🏆. On the other hand, in long distances such as the IRONMAN®, where individual endurance is tested, drafting is strictly prohibited ⛔.

Some key tips for your first triathlon!

For triathletes participating in races with drafting, maximizing the efficiency of this technique is crucial:

• Position yourself in the competitor's wheel to benefit as much as possible from the slipstream: on the left or right depending on the wind! 😎
• Anticipate wind conditions to optimize the protection offered by the group.
• Maintain a regular pedaling cadence to avoid jerks that could disrupt the group: watch out for falls 🤕.
• Be aware of the specific rules of each race to avoid penalties. In case of non-compliance, you risk a penalty (often a blue card 🔵) that requires you to stop in a penalty box.

Do you understand the importance? Whether drafting is allowed or not 👊, understanding its consequences and preparing for it is important for any triathlete aspiring to progress. It's a strategy that requires both technical and tactical skill 🔥.