Heather Wurtele of canada wins the 2013 Coeur d'Alene Ironman triathlon with a course record time of 9:16:02 on Sunday in Coeur d'Alene. (SR photo: Tyler Tjomsland)

The mad dash into the lake that heralds the start of Ironman was replaced Sunday by an orderly march into the water. In the Coeur d’Alene debut of a rolling start to the long-distance triathlon, athletes self-seeded on City Beach based on their expected swim times and strolled toward the start line, where their timing chips were activated. It’s the same procedure used for Bloomsday and most road races. It doesn’t make for as dramatic a start, but it’s a safer and less stressful way to get 2,238 men and women into the water for the 2.2-mile Ironman swim, race officials say. In years past, the anxious throng would take the plunge at once, hands and feet pounding the surface and often smacking fellow competitors. Scot Bates, of Southlake, Texas, said he appreciates the new Ironman SwimSmart Initiative, which also debuts at the Ironman in Lake Placid, N.Y., on July 28/Scott Maben, SR. More here.

Question: Are you a good swimmer?