Long-distance, short-distance: triathlon. One name: two ways.

摘要

Triathlon is a relatively new sport. It is a multidisciplinary sport, which comprises three disciplines: swim, bike and run, as well as the two transition times between the swim and bike sections, and the bike and run sections. There are four common triathlon disciplines: Sprint-Distance, Olympic-Distance, considered Short-Distance (SD), Half Ironman and Ironman, Long-Distance (LD). The aim of this paper is to analyze whether there is a great difference in the way of winning a triathlon in both cases, SD and LD competitions. This paper will also analyze whether the winner of a triathlon is usually the best of one of the three disciplines and which discipline that is (swim, bike or run); the paper also examines the effect of the three disciplines on the overall result of the triathlon and which of the three disciplines is key to win the competition. This data is based on two events: the Volcano Triathlon (SD) and the Ironman Lanzarote (LD). Method: time records for each discipline (swim, bike and run) for the top-ten triathletes (male, female and overall) of two triathlons, the Volcano Triathlon (SD), and the Ironman Lanzarote Triathlon (LD) from 2007 to 2013 were analyzed. The partial times of each discipline for the first triathlete were studied in order to establish which discipline was its best one (with respect to the top-ten): one discipline, two disciplines or three disciplines, and which one in particular: swim, bike or run. Results: Analysis of the results show that for (SD) the bike segment (71,43% male, 85,71% female) is a determining factor vs. the swim and run segments. While in (LD) the swim segment (57,14% ) is key for men athletes, vs. women where the run (85,71%) is the most important discipline. Comparing overall results for SD an LD, the swim section shares similar values (42%-50%) in Olympic and Ironman races. The bike segment (78,57%) is a determining factor in Olympic triathlon (SD) vs. (28.57%) for Ironman (LD). Conclusions: winners of the races tend to be the best in one, two or three disciplines in SD vs. only two or three disciplines in LD.