Officiating and Rules

Workshop 2: Level 1 Officials Clinic                                                                                                                 March 29                                                                                                                                                        iQuest  Building, Kelowna                             

Triathlon BC is holding a Level I Officials Clinic in Vancouver on Saturday, March 1st, and a Level 1 Officials Clinic on March 29th in Kelowna. These Clinics are a precursor to becoming a Level I Official for Triathlon in British Columbia.

Topics Include:

  • Who is Triathlon BC and what role does it play in sanctioning and officiating of races (What gives you the right to penalize me?).

  • The fundamental rules of the sport of triathlon (What do you mean I’m too close to the person in front of me?)

  • How to interpret the rules (How was I supposed to know that?) 

Prerequisites

  • A good sense of judgement and fair play

  • A desire to learn

  • A willingness to give until it hurts 

This course, while prerequisite to becoming an official, is also a good introduction to the rules of the sport for both new participants, and a refresher for those who have been racing for years.

To register for this FREE Clinic, please forward an expression of interest, including your name, contact details, and your previous involvement in triathlon to info@tribc.org.

Race Directors Memo Regarding Bicycle Eligibility

NOTICE RE: BICYCLE EQUIPMENT IN TRIATHLON

This notice is to remind Race Directors, Officials and Athletes of the rules regarding bicycle equipment allowed in Triathlon. These rules have been established to ensure safe and fair competition.

Bicycles of non-traditional patterns (bicycles with irregular rider position) are considered illegal unless approved by the Chief Race Official well prior to the race.

For athletes with a disability, the term 'bicycle' includes: bicycle, handcycle, tricycle, tandem bicycle and racing wheelchair. Any AWAD competitor using equipment that is non-traditional should have it approved prior to race-day.

Please note - The term 'bicycle' does not refer to recumbent bicycles which are illegal for all competitors AWAD or able bodied.

For further clarification, Officials, Race Directors and Athletes are urged to review the official rules for specific descriptions of all legal cycling equipment. The rules that govern triathlon in Canada can be found by clicking on the following link - http://www.tribc.org/ITU_Rules.pdf.

Section I: Upcoming Clinics & Officiating

Officials Clinics are conducted in the spring and summer of each season. If you belong to a club, race organization, or community that requires individuals to be trained as an Official, please contact Triathlon BC and we will arrange for a clinic to be conducted in your area.  We require at least four people to attend an Officials Clinic; we do not charge a fee for participation.

Introduction

Text Box: The Officials development model used by Triathlon BC falls under the broader models used byText Box: Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: Triathlon Canada (NSO) and the International Triathlon Union (World Governing Body).

Officials are classified into four distinct levels. Level 1 and 2 Officials are combined to cover novice, club, and local Officials.  Level 3 is aimed at Provincial and National Championship event Officials; and Level 4 is required for Officials at major International events such as the Pan Am Games and Olympics.

The Officiating program in BC is considered to be among the best in Canada! Triathlon BC conducts three to four Officials clinics around the province each year. Currently, we have a good base of approximately 50 active Officials in BC, with three individuals certified as Level 4, approximately eight certified as Level 3, and the remainder certified as Level 1-2. At a typical event, between three and five Officials are required. However, with large events such as Ironman Canada, there is a need to provide over thirty Officials for shifts lasting over eight hours.

Triathlon BC was very proud that a number of our Level 4 Officials were selected to officiate at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, this is a great achievement and provides an excellent mentoring for other Officials.

Regional events, including Provincial Championships, Triathlon BC Race Series events and Provincial Summer Games provide an excellent opportunity for Officials to gain exposure/experience and work with higher-level Officials.

Triathlon BC is committed to growing our officiating program through a wide range of initiatives.
 
Opportunities

We are constantly looking for individuals that are interested in becoming part of our Officiating team.  If you are interested in becoming an Official, please contact us.  Note that we encourage:

  • each club to have at least two certified Officials;

  • parents to become involved as Officials at Kid, Youth, and Junior events; and

  • current members to give back to the sport by Officiating at an event.

Our sport needs dedicated and respected Officials at all sanctioned events. 

Remember, most Officials are volunteers, please take the time to thank them for spending their day ensuring that YOU can race in a safe, sanctioned event.
Officials ensure that events are conducted in a fair and safe manner, under the governing rules of the sport.

 
The following is a summary of Triathlon Canada Competition rules, which apply to races throughout BC and across Canada.  This summary is intended to provide a guideline for recreational athletes.

Full references to the competition rules can be found at:

If you have any questions, please contact Triathlon BC.

Click on the links below to jump to each section in the summarized competition rules.


I.  Introduction

The Triathlon Canada Competition Rules are intended to:

a) Create an atmosphere of sportsmanship, equality and fair play at all times.
b) Provide safety and protection.
c) Penalize competitors who gain unfair advantage.

II.  General Conduct of Competitors

Competitors will:

a) Practice good sportsmanship at all times
b) Be responsible for their own safety and the safety of others.
c) Treat other competitors, Officials, volunteers and spectators with respect and courtesy.
d) Inform race Officials after withdrawing from the race.
e) Be responsible for knowing and staying on the course.
f) Not have bare torsos, headsets, headphones or glass containers on course.

III.  Discipline of Competitors

1. Warning

a) It is not necessary for an official to give a warning prior to issuing a more serious penalty. The purpose of a warning is to proactively alert competitors to possible rule violations.
b) Warnings may be given when:

i) A rule violation appears unintentional and can be corrected after warning;
ii) A race marshal believes a violation is about to occur.
iii) No advantage has been gained.

c) Will be given by being shown a yellow card. The competitor must stop when safe, dismount with both feet on one side of the bicycle, and raise both wheels off the ground at the same time. The official will then tell the competitor to "GO", and continue in a safe manner. A time/deferred penalty may be issued for safety reasons.

2.  Disqualification

a) A competitor may be disqualified for:

i) Failing to follow the prescribed course
ii) Blocking, charging, obstructing or interfering with another competitor
iii) Accepting assistance from anyone other than race Officials; illegal equipment
iv) Not wearing their unaltered race number provided in the proper way.
v) Using abusive language or behavior, or unsportsmanlike conduct
vi) Wearing items deemed a hazard to oneself or others (e.g. - a cast, headphones)

b) Is assessed by sounding a whistle, showing a red card, and calling the competitor's number

3.  Suspension

a)  A competitor can be suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct, etc.

IV.  Swimming Conduct

1.  Rules

a) A competitor may stand on the bottom or rest by holding an inanimate object such as a buoy, but there must not be any forward progression (e.g. walking or dolphining)
b) In an emergency, a competitor should raise an arm overhead and call for assistance.  Once official assistance is rendered, the competitor must retire from the competition

2.  Equipment

a) A competitor must wear the swim cap provided by the race organization
b) If weather conditions dictate, wet suits may not be allowed.

3.  Illegal Equipment

a) Artificial propulsion devices (e.g. - fins, socks, gloves, paddles, flotation devices)

V.  Cycling Conduct

1.  General Rules:

a) Competitors who have established the right-of-way must not block others
b) Competitors must obey traffic laws unless otherwise directed by an official
c) Bare torsos are not permitted.

2.  Drafting:

a) Drafting off another competitor or motor vehicle is forbidden. All competitors must reject any attempt by others to draft
b) For all Age Group competitions in Sprint/Olympic Distance events the draft zone will be a rectangle 7 meters long by 3 meters wide. The center of the leading 3-meter edge will be measured from the leading edge of the front wheel. 
c) A competitor may enter the draft zone of another competitor, but must be seen to be progressing through that zone. A maximum of 15 seconds will be allowed to pass through the zone of another competitor
d) If a competitor is unable to pass within the allotted time, they must immediately move out of the draft zone. They may then attempt another pass if they wish.
e) Draft zones may not overlap
f) The vehicle draft zone is 35 meters long by 5 meters wide.

3.  Equipment

a) Bicycles must have the following characteristics:

i) Fairings or devices which reduce air resistance are prohibited
ii) The front wheel may be a different diameter than the rear wheel, but must be of spoke construction.  Covers are allowed on the rear wheel
iii) Handlebar ends must be plugged, tires well glued, headsets tight, and wheels true
iv) There must be a well functioning brake on each wheel.

b) Bicycle helmets are compulsory

i) The helmet must be approved by an officially recognized testing authority (e.g. ANSI or Snell).
ii) Alterations to the helmet are forbidden
iii) The helmet must be securely fastened at all times when the competitor is in possession of the bicycle
iv) Headsets, headphones and glass containers are forbidden

Concerned with proper helmet fit?  Click HERE for more information.

VI. Transition Area Conduct

1. General Rules:

a) All competitors must have their helmet securely fastened from the time they remove their bicycle from the rack at the start of the cycle until after they have placed their bicycle on the rack at the finish of the cycle.
b) Competitors must use only their designated bicycle rack, and rack their own bike.
c) Competitors must not impede the progress of other competitors in the transition area.
d) Competitors must not interfere with another competitor's equipment.
e) Competitors must mount and dismount their bicycle at the designated area or line.
f) Cycling is not permitted in the transition area.
g) Nudity or indecent exposure is forbidden
Officials are responsible for ensuring that ALL competitors obey the rules.

Copyright © 2007 Triathlon British Columbia
Last Modified: 1 February 2008