Triathlon

Triathlon is an endurance sport comprised of swimming, cycling, and running performed in a continuous format. Transitions are the ‘change-over’ periods between activities and are often referred to as triathlon’s ‘fourth sport’.  The first triathlons were contested in San Diego, California in the late 1970’s as a unique method of cross training for a local running club.  Records of similar events can also be found in Europe.  However, it was Canada that grew the first provincial, national, and international governing bodies for the sport.  The first triathlons in Canada were hosted in BC, Ontario, and Manitoba in 1974.  The International Triathlon Union (ITU) was formed in 1989 and is still based in North Vancouver, British Columbia.  Over the past two decades, Canada hosted the World Triathlon Championships four times, and annual World Cup races from Newfoundland to British Columbia. 

Triathlon maintains a philosophy of “sport for all” and provides participation opportunities for over 50,000 Canadians every year of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.  Inclusion and mutual respect are foundations of the sport and the accepted rule at the finish line is to “turn around and congratulate the next participant to the line”.  Race distances range from Try-a-Tri events to Ultra Distance challenges.  There is growing paratriathlon participation and opportunities for youth of all ages (Under 7 to 19).

Although triathlon is the most recognized “multisport”, there are three other sport combinations included under the auspices of triathlon organizations. 

Aquathlon                     run-swim-run (or more commonly just swim-run)

            Duathlon                       run-bike-run

            Winter Triathlon             XC Ski-mountain bike-run (on snow / ice)

Distances vary from race to race.  Below are several pertinent standard distances:

*For athletes 18 years and older

**National Junior distance (16-19 years)

***See www.triathloncanada.com (Programs; Teck Kids of Steel) for a copy of the rules and distances

Triathlon made its debut in the 2009 Canada Games.  Although it has a relatively short history, Canadians have consistently shone on International triathlon stages.  Below is a short timeline of selected triathlon highlights on the world stage to date:   

• 1991 Erik Myllymaki (BC) won World Junior Triathlon Champs
• 1991 Joanne Ritchie (BC) won World Elite Triathlon Champs
• 2000 Simon Whitfield (ON, BC) won gold in the inaugural Olympic Triathlon  
• 2002 Simon Whitfield (ON, BC) and Carol Motgomery (BC) won double gold at the inaugural Commonwealth Games Triathlon
• 2006 Kirsten Sweetland (BC) won the World Junior Triathlon Champs
• 2008 Simon Whitfield (ON, BC) added a silver to his Olympic collection
• 2009 – Paula Findlay wins bronze medal at Under-23 World Championships in Australia
• 2009 – Jeff Phillips and Alison Hooper win first-ever medals in triathlon at Canada Summer Games
• 2010 – Paula Findlay wins back-to-back World Triathlon Series races
• 2010 – Joanna Brown wins bronze medal at Junior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary
• 2010 – Kirsten Sweetland wins silver medal at Under-23 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary
• 2011 – Paula Findlay wins three straight World Triathlon Series races
• 2012 – Joanna Brown wins bronze medal at Under-23 World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand

In the 2009 Canada Games, all male and female competitors competed in two separate events:

a) Individual Sprint Triathlon (750m Swim, 20km Bike, 5 km Run)

b) Team Triathlon (300m Swim, 7km Bike, 2km Run)

Competitors may be selected to compete in all or some of three separate events:

(a) Individual Sprint Triathlon (750m Swim, 20km Bike, 5 km Run)

(b) Mixed Team Triathlon (250m Swim, 6.6km Bike, 1.6km Run)

(c) 3 X Relay (250m Swim, 6.6km Bike, 1.6km Run) 

Up to six competitors per Province/Territory: 3 female and 3 male

*Athletes are selected to compete at the Canada Summer Games through a selection process outlined and governed by each of the provincial sport organizations. Selected athletes are generally named within one month of the Games.

Competitions will be run under Triathlon Canada Competition Rules with the following specific to the Canada Games:

• Both individual and relay events will be draft-legal, therefore all participants must have draft-legal bicycles as per Triathlon Canada Competition Rules.
• Start and transition positions will be pre-assigned to each province based on a random draw five days prior to the event.  The same start positions will apply to both individual and relay competitions.

Wet Suits – Athletes have the option of wearing neoprene suits if the water temperature is below 20 degrees Celsius. Besides warmth, wetsuits also provide more buoyancy in the water. 

Aero Bars – Aero bars are specialized forward-facing handles fastened to the front of the bike.  They allow athletes to maintain a more aerodynamic position while leaning on the bars.  For draft legal races the bars may not extend beyond the brake hoods and must be connected in front. Athletes who are leading a pack may choose to rest on the bars, but athletes in a pack or behind another athlete would pose a safety risk on the bars since they cannot maneuver the bike quickly from aero position.

Clipless Pedals – For cycling, athletes wear special shoes with cleats that snap into a spring on the pedal. This allows them to use the full range of the pedal stroke to cycle more efficiently. Some athletes choose to fasten their shoes onto their pedals before the race in order to be safer and faster. They jump on their bikes with bare feet before slipping into the shoes during the first portion of the cycle.

Tri Suits – Most athletes wear one-piece swim suits that include short-legs and a small shammy to assist with comfort on the bike seat. In order to promote gender equity and ensure safety,

triathlon requires that all competitors cover their torso (chest and stomach) while cycling and running.  More stringent uniform requirements are upheld at international levels. 

Sighting – In open water swimming there are no lines underwater to keep athletes on the correct path. Large, floating buoys are used as markers. Athletes must look up, or sight, periodically to ensure they are headed in the correct direction.  During the Canada Games triathlon buoys will be 50m to 300m apart.   

Transition Area – The focal point in a triathlon where all equipment is kept for transitioning between sports. The first transition (T1) is from swim to bike and the second transition (T2) from bike to run. Athletes are not permitted to ride their bikes in transition, so they must run to the mount line before beginning the cycle and dismount at the end of the cycle before entering transition. Helmets MUST be fastened before athletes make contact with their bikes and remain fastened until after the bike is racked. 

Drafting – Drafting is a technique whereby athletes swim, bike, and run beside or behind other athletes in order to minimize water and air resistance. Drafting is most significant on the bike and changes the strategies on the cycle portion as athletes must work together in groups.  Drafting is only permitted in specified races for certified Junior and Elite racers. 

Individual Sprint Event – The first triathlon event of the Games is an individual triathlon consisting of a 750m swim, 20km cycle, and 5km run. Athletes may try and work together during the swim and bike depending on their positions in the race. Team strategies do not always proceed as planned during the actual event as they are affected by other athletes, conditions, and unexpected events.

Team Relay – Teams of 3 athletes of the same gender compete in the relay.  Each athlete completes a 300m swim, 7km bike, and 2km run before tagging off to the next team member. 

Tie-Breaking Rule: Competition

Participants are not to purposefully cause a tie. In the event of a close finish, the finish line official will decide which competitor crossed the line first.

Tie-Breaking Rule: Provincial / Territorial Ranking

If there is a tie on points between two or more provinces, the tie shall be broken in favour of the province with the most first places, if still tied, the most second places, and if still tied, the most third places and so on until the tie is broken.

Timing

Triathlon uses chip timing to record splits for each discipline and overall time.  The chips are fastened to a band that athletes put around their ankles during the event.  Mats with specialized sensors are placed at strategic locations on the race course (e.g. swim exit, transition entrance / exit).  When an athlete passes over a mat, the sensor records their time.  Back-up manual timing is also maintained for overall finishing splits in case of faulty chips.