The dream of racing KONA next week turned into a nightmare for US national Mike Smith after he was found to have used ChapStick during a qualifying race in Tennessee yesterday.
By Brian Canty
Denver-based triathlete Matt Smith fulfilled a lifelong ambition by qualifying for KONA yesterday but had it taken away from him before he could even begin to think of this weekend’s showdown.
And it was all because he used Chapstick to soothe his burning lips during a qualifier race in Tennessee.
The Colorado native was competing in the 40-44 age group at IRONMAN Chattanooga and finished runner-up in the 40-44 age group.
And when he discovered the first two finishers qualified for the world championships in Hawaii he was understandably elated.
Or at least he was until he was told he received outside assistance and was subsequently disqualified.
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“The head referee came up about 10 minutes after I crossed, once I got my wits about me, and let me know that I was disqualified and my results would be stricken from the record for outside assistance during the race,” he said.
“When they originally told me at first, like going through my head is a very long list of words that would probably make a sailor blush..
“My lips were on fire and getting sunburned real quickly, so my wife, who was spectating, I knew had ChapStick with her. I asked her for a ChapStick,” he added.
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But problems arose when it was reported Smith’s wife was handing him “other things” during the race.
His own version of the story is his wife would ride up the road on her bike and provide him with information on where he was in relation to the others competing.
And because competitors start at staggered times this is standard protocol.
Jimmy Riccitello, head referee for all IRONMAN officials, took a dim view of it though.
“Athlete Matt Smith was seen being assisted by a woman on a bicycle (not officially associated with IRONMAN), who provided him at least one item (chapstick) that he used during the event.
“He was cited for unauthorized assistance and issued a stop-and-go yellow card penalty.
“During the 30-45 seconds that Mr Smith was serving his penalty, he was informed of the reason for the penalty and told not to continue receiving outside assistance.
“Prior to this penalty, Mr Smith was seen in the company of the female on a bike.
“Subsequent to this instance, Mr. Smith was witnessed several more times, receiving unauthorized assistance from the same woman on a bicycle who was involved in the first situation.
“Due to Mr Smith’s initial unauthorized assistance rule violation combined with subsequent occurrences of unauthorized assistance, Mr. Smith was met at the finish line and notified of his disqualification.
“Mr Smith also had a conversation with the head referee at the awards ceremony, where the reasons for his disqualification were reiterated.
“It was emphasized to Mr. Smith that his disqualification was for the combination of violations subsequent to his first stop-and-go penalty, and not solely for his initial penalty for illegally receiving the chapstick.”
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