It seems likely to me. The article didn't say anything about them drowning or colliding with another swimmer. As for the weather, I can't judge from a couple v

It seems likely to me. The article didn't say anything about them drowning or colliding with another swimmer. As for the weather, I can't judge from a couple videos. I have some experience but not with an Ironman. What I do know is that race organizers typically don't cancel just because the weather is going to make a race significantly harder.