Great report and GREAT first race! you rock in the water!
I switched my knobbies for slicks a few years ago and it did make a huge difference. When the budget allows for a different bike you will FLY!
I did the shirt over wet body thing too
and ended up just leaving it off until the run portion rather than fight w/ it.
GREAT pictures the pro ones especially are phenomenal.
Now you have me wishing I was going to do one more this season but alas once again other life things intervened.
It's about the journey and being in the moment, not about the destination