The New Hydration Rules Take 2: The Slowtwitch Podcast with Jimmy Riccitello
There’s been lots of discussion on the Slowtwitch Forum (well, and on other triathlon sites, for that matter) since Ryan Heisler posted an update on the “scheduled implementation … of World Triathlon’s updated hydration system rules” on Slowtwitch.com last week.
The basics of the new rules that World Triathlon would be augmenting seemed pretty simple when we learned about them earlier this year: for front hydration there was a maximum capacity of two litres, while for the rear there was a maximum of two, one-litre bottles that would be allowed. Here’s the specific wording that IRONMAN used to describe the new rules:
5.02 (c) – Added new language regarding Water Bottles and Hydration Systems:
- Front Mounted Water Bottles and Hydration Systems mounted to components attached to the bike that rotate around the steering axis (e.g., cockpit extensions, top tube, headset, stem, head tube) must have a combined maximum volume capacity of no more than two (2) Liters (this excludes water bottles and hydration systems located inside the frame triangle of a bicycle or inside the bicycle frame)
- Rear Mounted Water Bottles and Hydration Systems are limited in size, capacity, dimension and location as set forth below:
- Cannot contain more than two (2) water bottles*
- Must not exceed one (1) Liter capacity per bottle*
- * Excludes water bottles and hydration systems located inside the frame triangle of a bike or inside the bike frame.
Where things seemed to get complicated was when the German Triathlon Federation (DTU) weighed in on the rules, which led to a “rule interpretation document” that World Triathlon developed “after extensive meetings with Deutsche Triathlon Union, the World Triathlon Technical Committee, and the bike manufacturer’s industry.” In addition to the two water bottles allowed for the rear, “All attached holders, containers, bottle holders, etc., must fit completely into an imaginary frame no larger than 30x30cm.” That “clarification document” made it clear that in many cases athletes were going to have to make a choice between a “gear box” that might contain a spare tube and a CO2 cartridge and their hydration behind their saddle.
IRONMAN’s Take
In our conversation with Riccitello we begin with some background information on the rules process between World Triathlon and IRONMAN, and then dig deeper into these specific new rules that were implemented for professional athletes beginning this weekend at IRONMAN 70.3 Kraichgau, where four athletes were forced to make modifications to their bike setups in order to race. We also clarify IRONMAN’s current position for age group athletes.
You can listen to the podcast here.
Riccitello:
“I don’t know the Roth specific rule.” !!!
“What someone can do at the rear of a bike needs to be addressed. I cannot think of a way to address that, that’s perfect.”
“You really don’t know the practical implications until it’s out there.” (Comment: Really?)
“My heart is in the right place.”
Edit: Have now listened in entirety. I thought both you two asked excellent questions: bravo!
I don’t understand how any reasonable interpretation of the rule as written results in the 30x30 box. Fail to see how that is enforcable, given its not in the rule book.
Consider the “interpretation” document as an addendum and that’s how we wind up here (well, we wind up here because the DTU went down their rabbit hole and then World Tri scrambled to add those to their book, versus the other way around, and because IM is trying to make sure that we effectively have one major set of rules to follow for officiating ease globally, that’s how they wind up here).
And although the rule is only enforced at IM events for professionals at this point…unless there’s some major movement at the World Tri level, it’s my reasonable conclusion (note: not an official editorial position) that you should see that become part of the AG rules, if not for Worlds season, at least by next year.
You keep talking about this interpretation document, but its nowhere to be found when i look at ironman’s competition rules. While i generally think its good to have one set of rules, under what clause in the ironman competiton rule book am i required to follow additional rules set out by an interpretation document i cant even find? Is there a separate, pro-only, rule book which includes it? Not trying to come off as combative, more so just curious on how/why those rule apply.
The interpretation doc is NOT in the World Tri Competition Rules (dated 18th January issued 20250124).
World Tri have issued an interpretation document (on 15 April) and then amended that (dated 13th May) - latest version:
This is being used by IRONMAN and enforced for Pros (only) wef 25th May.
Both the World Tri and the IRONMAN Rules on bottles front and rear are essentially the same, or at least well aligned.
Bonus: Presume PTO will also being enforcing on 31st May at T100 San Francisco. See also Gentle’s bike.
Any reason why I can’t listen to the podcast on apple podcasts? Keep getting an error when I try to play it.
No chance. His equivocating is clearly in hope conversations with WT result in an update they can live with. So he’s stalling before saying Ironman is going to skip the 30x30 BTS. We have our side bet.
He gives a lot of lip service about what the “good intention” of the rule is but he very well knows it can be addressed differently. There were negative downstream consequences Eric laid out Jimmy clearly hadn’t even considered. When he takes this to Scott DeRue, is Scott going to side with being 100% WT compliant or 90% compliant and without a huge customer headache? And this notion that bike manufacturers need time to sell inventory that’s not compliant is crazy. Who is the customer at that point? Oh, and hi Jimmy!
I dont know
trying to figure that out… Works fine on apple Podcast desktop… And nothing in settings that should be causing this issue on the iPhones 
If you click on the Castapod link it does a really good job with Mobile l
i get an error on my iphone until I download the podcast then it works.
Which is why all the AG athletes need to get upset and squak loudly on their disapproval to Ironman. If there was a broad understanding of what’s comming among repeat AG’ers, I’m convinced people would be up in arms and this thing would be dead and done. IM has the size and influnece to drive this thing, if they so choose. DTU can then decide to get on the (logical path) bus or go their own (unwise) direction.
To me, a significant problem is how to get this feedback to Ironman. I tried the help ticket system as suggested in a prior podcast with Jimmy, and it feels like the message went to the dead letter office. Submitted on April 30th and still in the “waiting on internal response” step. So then, direct e-mails to Riccitello and/or DeRue?
That’s right, and that backlash is inevitable. Jimmy can’t just hand wave it away with “well, sometimes people get mad at a rule change” and then references zipper-gate or 10mm wetsuits. With all due respect, Jimmy, that isn’t even remotely the same thing in regard to the vast, broad-based implications of what WT is trying to litigate.
I agree. Can you post a link to the ticket system?
You need to log on to your Ironman account, which I think this link will prompt you to do:
https://my.ironman.com/help
Then, top right click the “Contact Us” button, then click the “Create Request” button.
No longer posting to spotify?
For reference, the draft/storage box is at least 15 years old. I believe Trek was the first in 2010 with the original Speed Concept.