Triathlon Canada U26 Event Abstract In 2017 Triathlon Canada introduced a new format for designated event Local Organizing Committees to integrate into their race events. The U26 event format s objective was to provide regional draft legal competition opportunities in Canada for athletes not yet ready to compete at the Continental Cup level. The Triathlon Canada document that provides the initial guidance is provided in Appendix A. This document has been created as a reference for the TD of the first U26 event being held at Pike Lake, Saskatchewan. It outlines a set of recommendations for applying relevant ITU rules for the 2017 U26 events. It was created between Terry Hooper and Alan Carlsson of Tri Canada, and was reviewed by David Markham. The intent for sharing these U26 event rule guidelines is to create the opportunity for applying rules with some consistency between the U26 events. Each U26 event s TD is not bound by the rule guidelines presented in this document and can tailor them as necessary for their event. The 2017 U26 events are Pike Lake June 24, Summer Side PEI July 15, Edmonton July 28-30, Vancouver September 4, and Montreal September 9. Triathlon Canada U26 Event Guide Considerations The Triathlon Canada U26 event guidance document (see Appendix A) outlined the following, general considerations. 1. Very flexible implementation options for LOC. Minimize load on LOC to accommodate event. 2. Nominally ages 13 to 26 years. However older athletes are allowed. There are no expectations to separate the participants by age group or gender. 3. Super-sprint distances (i.e. 250-500 meter swim, 8-12 km bike, 1-3.5 km run). 4. Open water or pool swims. 5. Draft-legal cycling without a requirement for draft-legal certification. Criterium bike format suggested as an option. 6. A run distance of 1-1.5 km is suggested to identify the raw speed of participants. 7. A variety of race formats is suggested including heats, semi-finals to finals, discipline reordering (e.g. bike-run-swim), and additional discipline components (e.g. swim-bike-run-bike-run). 8. Paratriathletes are welcome to participate. However, athletes with equipment that do not comply with ITU Rules section 5 will not be able to compete (i.e. tandem bikes and hand cycles do not comply). 8 June 2017 Page 1
Guidelines for Applying the ITU Rules for the U26 Event The rule set guidelines will be based on the 2017 ITU Junior category with exceptions noted below. In general, any ITU rules that are related to safety and fairness will be prime and unyielding. Access the full set of rules in the list of documents at http://www.triathlon.org/about/downloads/category/competition_rules. 1. The pre-race briefings will be aligned with the Junior category expectations and the associated penalties applied. All participants must attend the briefing or will be removed from the start list (ITU Rule 2.7.b.iv). 2. Uniforms will conform to the general guidelines provided in ITU Rule 2.8 such that the following are expected (full rules provided in ITU Rule 2.8). a. The torso is covered in front and can be uncovered from waist up in back. b. Arms are uncovered unless otherwise decided by Technical Delegate. c. Conformance to tri suit layout of logos and lettering is waived (i.e. ITU Rules Appendix F is waived). 3. For the swim start, the Start Procedure for Age Group will be followed without start position ranking and placement (ITU Rule 4.6 in place of Rules 4.4 and 4.5). Athletes from different age groups will be allowed to be mixed in a wave start. Otherwise, swim rules will be as outlined in ITU Rule 4 section for the Junior category including wet suit temperature and time constraints. 4. For the bike, the rules will align with the draft-legal Junior category (ITU Rules section 5). Of special note are the following points. a. In general, the allowed equipment aligns with the Age Group draft-legal specifications (ITU Rule Sections 5.2.c.i). However, there are specific configurations that will be applied to the U26 events to ensure safety and openness are balanced. To see the compiled set, refer to Appendix B in this document. The key points follow. i. Some frame configurations with a gap in the down tube, or a rear triangle that does not connect at the top where the down tube/top tube join, will be allowed. But other unusual or non-standard configurations will not be allowed. ii. The seat configuration allowances are taken from the Elite/U23/Junior/Youth specifications (there is a reference diagram in Appendix B). iii. Bikes with UCI TT homologation labels will only be allowed if there is conformance with the rest of the specifications outlined in Appendix B. b. Aero bars are allowed but not to exceed foremost point of the vertical plane of brake levers. Aero bars must be bridged. 1 See ITU rules in section 5.2.f.i. c. Disc brakes are not allowed as this is a draft-legal event (ITU Rule 5.2.i). 1 Aero bars are not allowed in Age Group draft-legal events. However, for the U26 event, aero bars will be allowed so long as they conform to the Elite/U23/Junior/Youth rules. This will let bikes with aero bars already conforming to these rules take part in the event without having to remove the aero bars. That said, considering the cycle distances for the event, it is expected aero bars will be of limited use and should not be used by those with limited experience riding in draft-legal packs. 8 June 2017 Page 2
d. Disc wheels and covers are not allowed. Wheels must conform to the Elite/U23/Junior/Youth specification (ITU Rule 5.2.e) which has been copied into Appendix C in this document. e. Exception: Athletes that are lapped in the cycle will not be removed from the event (waive ITU Rule 5.4). f. Exception: Drafting will be allowed with a different gender for those events that allow mixed gender waves (i.e. waive ITU Rule 5.5.b.i in these cases). 5. Normal run rules will be applied (ITU section 6). 6. Normal transition rules will be applied (ITU section 7). 7. Applying rules and penalties will take into account that the event is of a developmental class. That is, whenever practical, participants will be advised to correct any violation rather than being penalized. Also, instead of time penalties, a stop and go penalty will be applied when required (e.g. mount/dismount line violations). When penalty times are to be applied, a Penalty Box can be implemented. But, as an alterative, the LOC may opt for adding the penalty time to the final race time rather than establishing a Penalty Box 2. 2 This option is offered to ease the added LOC and Officials burdens required to resource a Penalty Box. 8 June 2017 Page 3
Appendix A: Triathlon Canada Document U26 Development Event Overview with Guidelines and Best Practices http://www.triathlonsaskatoon.org/forms/appendixa.pdf Appendix B: ITU Rule 5.2.d Reference (Cycling Conduct Equipment For draft-illegal events and Age Group draft-legal events) The guideline rules were formed from a combination of ITU rules of which some were in conflict against each other. The original rules text is provided below for reference so the TD can easily see which conflicting rules are recommended as not to be applied (as indicated by the strikethrough). (i) Frames: The bike will be no more than 185 cm long, and 50 cm wide; The bike will measure between 24 cm and 30 cm from the ground to the center of the chain wheel axle; There will be no less than 54 cm and no more than 65 cm between a vertical line passing through the center of the chain wheel axle and a vertical line through the center of the front wheel axle; The frame of the bike shall be of a traditional pattern, i.e., built around a closed frame of straight or tapered tubular elements, (which may be round, oval, flattened, teardrop shaped or otherwise in cross-section) Bikes built around a diamond shape (no saddle down tube) or with a rear triangle which does not connect at the top of the down tube/top tube section are considered acceptable. Bikes provided with the UCI Time Trial homologation label (Code TT) are always allowed in ITU draft-illegal events, even if they contravene any of the previous bullets in this 5.2 d.) (i) insert. Addition rules added for relevance and clarity 3 : o Bikes provided with the UCI Road Race homologation label (Code RD) are always allowed in ITU draft legal events, even if they contravene any of the previous bullets in the 5.2 d) (i) insert. o Bikes provided with the UCI Time Trial homologation label (Code TT) are forbidden unless they comply with the conditions listed above. (ii) Saddle position 4 : This rule will be applied only for participants 20 years of age and older. There will be a vertical line touching the front-most point of the saddle which will be no less than 5 cm for the men, and 2 cm for the women, behind a vertical line passing through the centre of the chain wheel axle, and an athlete must not have the capability of adjusting the saddle beyond these lines during competition. 3 The two sub-bullet points have been copied from the Elite/U23/Junior/Youth Bike section (ITU Rule 5.2.c) and are applied as a supplement to the Age Group draft legal rules (ITU Rule 5.2.d). 4 This rule is based on the Elite/U23/Junior/Youth ITU Rule 5.2.c.ii with the exception that it will apply to athletes age 20 and older (i.e. does not apply to Youth and Junior age categories). 8 June 2017 Page 4
(iii) Non-traditional or unusual bikes 5 : Non-traditional or unusual bikes or equipment shall not be allowed. Appendix C: ITU Rule 5.2.e Reference (Cycling Conduct Equipment Wheels) The guideline rules were formed from a combination of ITU rules of which some were in conflict against each other. The original rules text is provided below for reference so the TD can easily see which conflicting rules are recommended as not to be applied (as indicated by the strikethrough). (i) No wheel may contain any mechanisms, which are capable of accelerating it; 5 This rule is derived from the Age Group section (ITU Rule 5.2.d.iii). However non-traditional or unusual bike configurations will not be allowed so as to ease the LOC and official s burden for the U26 event. 8 June 2017 Page 5
(ii) Tubular tyres must be well glued, the levers of the quick releases must be closed tightly onto the hubs and wheels must be fixed properly onto the frame; (iii) There must be a brake on each wheel; (iv) Wheels can be replaced only at official wheel stations, where provided; (v) Technical Officials at the wheel station will give the proper wheel to the athlete. The athlete is responsible for replacing the wheel in the forks. Wheels designated specifically for other athletes or teams cannot be used; (vi) For Elite, U23, Junior and Youth draft-legal competitions, wheels are allowed to be used if they are included in the UCI approved non-standard wheels lists. (Both list applicable, the one contains wheels approved prior 1st January 2016 and also the one with wheels approved after 1st January 2016.) Wheels not on this list must comply to the following criteria: A diameter between 70 cm maximum and 55 cm minimum, including the tyre; Both wheels must be of equal diameter; Wheels shall have at least 20 metal spokes; The maximum rim dimension will be 25 mm. on each side; The rim must be alloy; All components must be identifiable and commercially available; (vii) For Age Group draft-legal competitions, wheels must have the following characteristics: Wheels shall have at least 12spokes; Disc wheels are not allowed. (viii) For draft-illegal, competitions, covers are allowed on the rear wheel. However, this provision may be changed by the Technical Delegate in the interest of safety, i.e. high-winds. 8 June 2017 Page 6