Search
shop

IRONMAN make last minute decision to not use RaceRanger at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside

RaceRanger have been forced to concede that their units will not be ready for use at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside, after they encountered technical difficulties during the onsite testing.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

With one of the biggest professional fields in middle distance racing this weekend at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside, correctly enforcement of the 12m drafting rule will be of paramount importance.

Initially, the innovative race technology used to detect drafting, RaceRanger, was set to be utilized in each and every one of the IRONMAN Pro Series races this year including Oceanside.

However, after some technical difficulties during onsite testing, IRONMAN have announced less than 24 hours before the race that the units are not ready for use on Saturday.

Statement from IRONMAN

In a statement shared by IRONMAN, the organization explained their decision, which was made after the best efforts of RaceRanger to rectify the problem.

RaceRanger installation PTO European Open 2023 Ibiza

“During RaceRanger’s onsite testing in Oceanside, they noticed some refinement required with the new units, discovering a firmware issue.

“RaceRanger has been working around the clock since the discovery of the issue to try to resolve it prior to race day.

“However, after these efforts and discussions with RaceRanger, it has been determined the units are not ready for use at the IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside triathlon.”

Instead, the event will rely on the USAT Race Referees to enforce the IRONMAN Competition rules out on course, to ensure clean and fair racing for all athletes.

“We are deeply sorry”

For RaceRanger Co-Founder and CEO James Elvery, the issue couldn’t have come at a more inconvenient time and he expressed his apologies for the situation.

RaceRanger installation PTO European Open 2023 Ibiza

“We have been working very hard to launch these brand-new upgraded units for this weekend’s use and are disappointed by the issues discovered during our onsite testing at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside.

“We have not been able to reach the performance standard we expect, and as a competition fairness tool, our first concern is to always offer the athletes and officials the most consistent, accurate and reliable information.

“We know how important the kickoff IRONMAN Pro Series event is for IRONMAN, and we are deeply sorry that our units are not ready for this weekend. We are confident that we’ll have the technology working for IRONMAN Texas and the rest of the IRONMAN Pro Series calendar through the year.”

IRONMAN Texas is the second stop of the 2024 IRONMAN Pro Series, and will be held on April 27, doubling as the North American IRONMAN Championship.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
Kona scenic 2022 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
The survey results which prompted IRONMAN’s dramatic Kona U-turn
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...