The purpose of the present chapter is to present five main specific charactcristics of the swimming part of a triathlon event; i.e. different technical skills (coordination, efficiency); wearing a wetsuit; drafting another triathlete: specific pacing and preparing the subsequent parts (swim-to-cycle transition). Triathletes are obviously of a lower performance level in swimming-only than elite swimmers but are also Iess technically skilled: their stroke length, propelling efficiency, inter-limb coordination and economy are lower. The metabolic responses in swimming are influenced by the thermoregulatory responses (i.e. water and air temperature, type of wetsuit). Wearing a neoprene wetsuit has been shown to improve buoyancy and consequently swimming performance but the extent to which improvement occurs is influenced by the anthropometrical and technical features of the subject. Similarly, drafting another swimmer is commonly reported as an efficient way of reducing drag, decreasing energy cost and therefore improving swimming performance. However, drafting induces some technical and pacing adaptations and its advantages are influenced by many factors (position of and distance to the draftee, body composition and performance level of the drafter...). Olympic-distance (OD) and Ironman (IR) triathlons require different pacing strategies during their swimming portions. A very fast start during the 1500 m of an OD triathlon has been reported to be paramount for the overall final performance whereas in IR competition, an even pace is recommended for energy sparing. Finally. the swim section influences the subsequent cycling and running sections. Each of the factors mentioned above (technical skills, wetsuit use, drafting, pacing) Ieads to modification of the metabolic responses to swimming that then influences the physiological responses underlying efficiency/economy, and, consequently, performance (power output/velocity) within the subsequent cycle and run.
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