GU?

I do sprint Tri's and found a lot of folks sucking down GU gels? Do they
really help for short races? I thought they were more for mile 12 and
beyond marathoning.

All advice would be appreciated.

sprint race is a 1 hour race, you would have the energy you need in
your muscles and your guts, gu at around 40mins in will have no effect
as it wont even start digesting in your guts by the time u finish.
also ride a bike and eat a banna, what happens you slow down so blood
can go to your guts and digest it. same thing on a smaller level, eat
something and you will reduce blood to your muscels, what you need to
do is say is it worth it? no not for a 1 hour race.
Gatorade is all i would have in a sprint.