Cotswold226 2017
Good afternoon all, I hope everyone’s feeling ready for racing this weekend ?
As promised in my last email, I just wanted to drop everyone a quick update on the race, and more specifically, the water temperature.
Firstly, I hope by now you’ve all downloaded and digested your race info pack.
If not, then you can find it here – https://www.113events.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2262017-Competitor-Info-Pack.pdf
Water Temperature
As you would’ve all undoubtable seen and felt, it’s been blimmin warm for the last couple of weeks, and coupled with a hot early June, has meant that the lake temperature has risen this week to the hottest it’s been for 20years since the current lake owners had taken over.
Yesterday, the lake measured in at nearly 28deg.
As many of you will know, the BTF rules that we’re governed by, say that anything over 24deg is a non wetsuit swim.
We’ve found the coolest place in the lake to measure from today, but even so, that’s nearly 25deg, and the rest of the lake is much warmer.
We will officially call the temperature Sunday morning before the race starts, but given it’s warmth currently, it’s safe to assume that we are very likely to have a non wetsuit swim on Sunday.
With this in mind, I thought it was a good time to explain some of the more pertinent rules of non wetsuit swims as our BTF referee is sharp on these, so I don’t want anyone getting DQ’d before they even start :
– Trisuits may be worn, but must not include any buoyant material (i.e. no buoyancy shorts)
– No floatation devices are allowed in any form
– Tri suits cannot extend past the elbow on your arms or knee on your leg, so this would mean you cannot wear calf guards in the swim
– Tri tops must be worn for men, and ladies can wear a swim suit, but in both cases, your top halves must be covered
If it helps put peoples minds at rest, there’s a few spots in the lake where you can stand and take a break, and if you’re struggling anywhere else, we have arrange with the water safety guys that if you signal them, they will allow you to grab onto their canoe to take a quick breather (although please grab the front or back tip as grabbing the side would mean they’ll be in the water with you)
The BTF referee will make an official judgement on the water temperature on the weekend, but realistically, the chance of it being a wetsuit optional swim are very slim indeed. Bring it with you just in case though as you never know what this country’s weather can throw at us, and it may end up snowing or a couple of cold nights coulee help bring it down.
Pre race tips
Our pre race toilets are a 250meter walk from the swim start, and the path they’re on has stones in it. You can walk it barefooted, but I wouldn’t recommend it. If you have some old flip flops, or trainers, wear them before you start and leave them by the swim start, which is next to where the race finishes, so you can grab them again at the end
Live results and tracker
You can find the live results and athlete tracker here – https://www.113events.com/cotswold-226/results/
Sorry to bring you bad news (or good news for the stronger swimmers amongst you), but I wanted everyone to understand the situation and prepare accordingly
On a separate note, we still need a handful more marshals for the bike course, so if anyone has anyone coming down with them that fancies getting involved and earning a few quid, please get in touch – james@dbmax.co.uk
If you have any questions or concerns, please give me a ring or drop me a mail
See you all Saturday for registration
Graeme, James and the Cotswold226 Team
graeme@113events.com
james@dbmax.co.uk