When applying for, or renewing TriBC membership, athletes have the option of declaring their provincial  “Elite” standing.  While the decision to make this declaration is up to the athlete, TriBC will review the basis for the declaration before issuing a provincial “Elite” card.  An athlete must hold an elite or junior elite card to race in any elite heats at BC race series events, BC Provincial Championship events, national events, or international events.  However, athletes who hold an elite card have the option to race either elite or age group.  To qualify for funding to national and international competitions and for the Provincial Series points, athletes must hold an “Elite” card and race in the elite category.  Junior athletes (aged 16-19) who wish to declare themselves “Elite” may also do so.  The review criteria for “Junior Elite” declarations follow the Elite Criteria.  Note Elite application/requests are processed at the beginning of the season only, prior to the start of any racing events, and at latest, March 31st of any given year.

All Elite athletes must submit a photocopy of their BC Care Card to prove residency together with each application.  

Rationale

The reasons for establishing an Elite category include encouraging athletes to compete at a higher level of competition in the Province and to use the experience of racing as an elite in the province of BC as a stepping stone to compete as an Elite at National and International races. The declaration of this Elite status is solely the decision of the athlete.

It should be noted that declaring as an Elite within the province still allows an athlete to compete at National or International races as an Age Group athlete, if they so desire.

Funding/Criteria Issues

·    In order to be eligible for certain funding, prize purses, or eligibility for certain events in BC, an athlete must hold a valid “Elite” card.  Any “Elite” carded athlete who chooses to race in an Age Group category when the option to race as an elite exists will be re-classified as an Age Group member of Triathlon BC (see race exemptions below). 

Please note that declaring your “Elite” or “Junior Elite” standing does not automatically qualify you for funding from Triathlon BC.  “Elite” and “Junior Elite” athletes must meet the criteria set out elsewhere to qualify for funding to national and international competitions.

 Elite Criteria

To be granted a Triathlon BC Elite Card athletes must be in good standing with Triathlon BC.  In addition athletes must meet one or more of the following criteria:

·    Currently hold a Triathlon Canada Elite card;

·    Have held a Triathlon Canada Elite card in the past three years;

·    Top 30 overall in his/her gender as an elite at the Canadian National Duathlon, Short Course Triathlon, or Long Distance Championships races held in the previous year of competition;

·    Top 15 overall in his/her gender as an age grouper at the Canadian National Duathlon, Short Course Triathlon, or Long Distance Championships races held in the previous year of competition;

·    Finish in the top 10 overall in his/her gender at the BC Provincial Short Course Triathlon or Long Distance Triathlon Championships in the previous year of competition;

·    Top 25 overall in his/her gender at Ironman Canada in the previous year of competition;

·    Top 5 overall in his/her gender in the previous year of competition at any two Olympic Distance that were sanctioned by Triathlon BC:

·    Finished in the top 10 overall in his/her gender in three or more of the race listed above;

Junior Elite Criteria (16-19 years)

Junior athletes must be members in good standing with Triathlon BC. 

Athletes must have proof of drafting education or demonstrate equivalent drafting skills and/or experience and provide a reference of this experience.

Races must be from the previous race season or if extenuating circumstances can be proven, results from two years previous will be considered. Must meet two (2) of the following criteria:   

·         top 15 placing in gender at Canadian Junior Nationals  

·         top 10 placing in gender at Canadian National Junior Race Series  

·         top 10 placing in gender at Canadian Junior Race Series individual race 

·         top 5 placing in gender at BC Team/Junior Nationals qualifying race (2006 - North Shore Tri )

·         top 5 placing in gender at BC Summer Games

·         top 5 overall in gender at BC Junior Race Series  

OR

·         the qualifying time standard from a sanctioned sprint distance race of:

• Male                1 hour, 5 minutes

• Female             1 hour, 15 minutes

All Junior Elite athletes must submit a photocopy of their BC Care Card to prove residency along with their application.  

Maintaining your Elite Status

Athletes who currently hold an “Elite” or “Junior Elite” card will be re-evaluated against the above criteria at the start of each season. If an athlete has not maintained this criteria, then they may not be issued an Elite card depending on the circumstances (ie, sidelined with an injury, sat out an entire season, etc.).  An athlete who has previously raced Junior Elite, can maintain an Elite card when they turn 20 years of age.  Those who are maintaining their Elite card may be asked to submit documentation to ensure that they still meet the elite standards.

National Elite Card

Please note that to race outside of Canada as an Elite/Pro athletes should request an Elite Development Card from Triathlon Canada.  Please contact Triathlon Canada further information on National Development and Elite carding.