Triathlon - Do people swap cassettes?

This is really just the curiosity of a newbie biker. I saw this amazing youtube of the Maryland Savageman Tri

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMk0gqgQyVI

These folks are struggling to get up this hill (understatement).

So - what I'm wondering is whether riders going into a race that they know is very hilly would swap cassettes for one geared less aggressively?....or maybe one that has more gears aimed at hills.

Thanks!

I put a cassette on that matches my abilities for each ride. Takes about 5 minutes. I even do it for training rides. I have a long rear derailleur. I mix and match cogs to come up with 11-21. 12-21, 12-23, 12-25, 12-27, 13-30, 13-32, and 14-34. if you cant maintain 60 RMP on the steep grades then you're under geared.

With its poor pavement, an average grade of 25% and a max pitch of 31%, successfully getting up the final block of the Westernport Wall takes a bit of skill, a bit of luck, and a lot of True Savage determination! All savages who conquer the Wall without putting a foot down receive a special "Brick In The Wall" prize. Those savages who choose not to tackle the closed block have the option to take a slightly longer, more humane route around the block.

That is an exceptionally steep climb, and the triathalon's site makes a big deal of it, so presumably anyone intending to take the steep route is going to give some thought to their gearing choices.

I have 3 cassettes that I use frequently. 11-23 for the really flat and completely calm days, 12-25 which I use from time to time, and most commonly 13-26. Keep in mind that 50-13 at 100rpm is 31MPH and I rarely need anthing more than that... and if I do, I just spin faster.

I have a Megarange cassette ready to go for one event next summer with a similar climb to the Savageman wall (Butzbach in Germany). 11-34.