Why I like ITU racing

A great topic to get a group of triathletes debating around a cafe table is about ITU racing, especially when it is discussed in relation to IM racing. Specifically, draft-legal, World Triathlon Series, ITU racing, where the pinnacle achievement is Olympic Gold...arguably the highest prize in triathlon. Now that is an opinion to add fuel to the ITU vs. IM debate!!!

I'm writing this as a triathlon (and sporting) purist - and spectator - to explain why I like ITU racing. This is not about the relative abilities of the respective athletes (that is for another occasion), but about the product as we witness it at races like Mooloolaba, Sydney and elsewhere. It's also not to say that ITU racing is better than IM racing. So here's my reasons for liking ITU racing:

It is faaast!! Just ask Macca what how fast these "kids" (as he calls ITU athletes) are. They know that every second counts, and that any technical or tactical mistake will be punished...especially when either Brownlee is racing. If you are not up to speed in any leg, you will get dropped and just like in a bike race, your chances of getting back on are all but zero. The racing is uncompromising, no one gives an inch and in 2 hrs you have a winner....I like that!!

ITU athletes are very talented, and do not all fit the age-old, stereotypical model of just being good swimmer and runners...and far from it being "A shampoo, blow-dry and 10k run..." (thanks Mr Armstrong for that contribution!!). These guys are very good swimmers, bike riders and runners, and while many single-sport aficionados will scoff, remember that these athletes excel at being triathletes. So to that end, I like watching athletes who are top of their game, and the ITU folks are just that, at the top of the game of being fast triathletes.

The World Triathlon Series has been fantastic for ITU racing. It brings together the best triathletes in the world 8 or so times a year to race head-to-head, with each race earning points for the overall title. Now it is akin to F1 / Moto GP...and even a football premiership season, to an extent...and I like being able to follow the fortunes of athletes across the season, at different race venues, not to mention being able to watch it live on-line (and some even live on TV). The series has done a lot raise the profile of triathlon.

ITU races are spectator friendly. The courses are multi-lap, so you never have to wait more than a few minutes to see the athletes again. The multi-loop format also means it is possible to hold races right in the middle of big cities, so they are also accessible, and free to watch - ITU racing brings the sport to the people. Because you can see the athletes live, multiple times, you can track the movements in the field...I like watching who tries a bike break away, who runs through the field and more. Plus, none of the legs lasts more than about 60 mins.

ITU racing is an Olympic sport. If you are a triathlete and diss the sport you give so much of your time and energy just because it is different format than you like, then you've got your blinkers on. I like that every 4 years our sport is in spotlight at the biggest event on the planet, where I can cheer for our country's athletes for the biggest prize in the sport. What's not to like about that??