Draft marshals have made a concerted effort to reduce the problem of drafting by making calls whenever they see them. All officiating is done by the Ontario Association Of Triathletes (OAT).Part of your entry fee goes to the association to help make races fair and consistant.
If you are called for “drafting” or any other infraction you will be issued a time penalty and or may be disqualified from the race if you are warned more than once or are belligerent to an official.
Common Rule Violations
Here are just a few of the things that you could get disqualified for in a triathlon. These are simple things that most people wouldn't do if they knew in advance that it was against the rules.
Unracking your bike before you do up the chin strap on your helmet, or undoing the chin strap before you rack bike.
- Mounting your bike before you reach the mount line on the road, or dismounting after the same line on the road.
- Not wearing a race number while on the bike and run
- Altering a race number - you can't fold or cut it to make it smaller, for example.
- Men not wearing a singlet while biking and running (you need to wear a singlet during BOTH)
- Competing while listening to a walkman. This is a safety hazard so DO NOT race with headphones of any kind.
- Drafting, blocking or crossing the centerline on the road during the bike portion of a race.
- Not obeying an official or being abusive to officials.
Drafting
As a result of numerous complaints about drafting at certain races, we would like to make clear that we are following the OAT rules as they apply to drafting. Triathlon is an individual sport so it is therefore the responsibility of each competitor to adhere to the rules. Please familiarize yourself with these rules so that you won't get stopped by an official at a race. Also, be aware that officials may be on motocyles OR bicycles at the races, so please obey anyone who approaches you as an official. While it is recommended that you read the rules fully, I have taken the liberty of summarizing the rules as they apply to drafting and blocking. The complete set of OAT Rules of Conduct can be found here.
Summary
If you are riding within 5 meters of someone's back wheel, you are drafting
- If your are riding next to someone, within 2 metres, you are drafting
- If you are riding next to someone on their left and not overtaking them, you are blocking
- You are allowed 15 seconds in someone's draft zone while passing, but you must be passing - no lingering
- Once you are passed, you must drop back out of the draft zone before overtaking the person who passed you
- You are considered 'passed' when another competitor's front wheel is ahead yours. At that point you must drop back.
- Also, you can be disqualified for a Yellow Line Violation in which you cross over the yellow centre line on the road while passing someone. This is particularly dangerous due to the potential for a collision with oncoming traffic or competitors. If people are blocking you from passing on the left, yell at them to move to the right before risking a pass which involves a yellow line violation.
- If you are assessed a Stop and Go Penalty by an official, here is what you must do:
- Exact wording in the 1999 TriCan Rulebook - Rule 5.1.6.
When assessed a yellow card, the competitor will stop in a safe manner and follow the instructions of the official. If on a bicycle, the competitor will stop in a safe manner, 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 say “GO”, “ALLEZ” or “VAS-Y” at which time the competitor will continue in a safe manner.
- Exact wording in the 1999 TriCan Rulebook - Rule 5.1.6.
Please read the following OAT rules for complete details.
E CYCLING CONDUCTE.1 General Rules
A competitor is not permitted to:
a) Block others
b) Cycle while their bare torso is exposed
c) Make forward progress without the bicycle.
E.1.1 Dangerous Behavior
Competitors must obey traffic laws unless otherwise directed by an official. This includes not crossing the centerline of the road (OAT Mod.) whether the line is indicated or not. Any competitor who appears to officials to present a danger to themselves or others may be disqualified and removed from the competition.
E.1.2 Bike Check
A bike check for TC events will take place at least 24 hours before the competition to allow time for competitors to make modifications, if necessary, to comply with the rules.
E.1.2.1 OAT Mod – Properly Maintained Bike
In OAT events competitors are expected to be knowledgeable and aware of all rules, to comply with them and to have a properly maintained bike and helmet. OAT Officials will remove a bike from competition where they feel it is necessary, does not comply with the rules or is unsafe.
E.2 Drafting
E.2.1 General Guidelines
For elite and junior competitors only, the drafting rule will be eliminated for Triathlon National Championship events, Duathlon National Championship events and National Cup events. It will NOT be eliminated for age group competitions or for Long Distance Triathlon. It is within the power of each PGB to organize events within their jurisdiction where the draft rule applies to elite and junior athletes.
E.2.1.1 OAT Mod – OAT Drafting Races
Where special waves exist in Provincial Championship and Ontario Grand Prix Series races, for elite and junior competitors only, the drafting rule will be eliminated.
E.2.2 Draft-Illegal Races
In races where the drafting rule applies:
a) Drafting of another competitor or motor vehicle is forbidden. Competitors must reject attempts by others to draft;
b) A competitor is entitled to any position on the course, provided they get to that position first, and without contacting others. When taking a position, a competitor must allow reasonable space for others to make normal movements without making contact. Adequate space must be available before passing;
c) A competitor who approaches from any position to take advantage of the draft, bears responsibility for avoiding the draft.
E.2.3 Bicycle Draft Zone
The draft zone for all competitors in Long Distance Competitions and all age group competitions will be a rectangle 5 meters long by 2 meters wide. The center of the leading 2 meter edge will be measured from the back edge of the back wheel. 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.
E.2.3.1 OAT Mod – Draft Zone in Traffic
Where the bike course is NOT closed to other traffic, for OAT sanctioned races, the draft zone for all age group competitions will be a rectangle 3 meters long by 1 meter wide. A maximum of 30 seconds will be allowed to pass through the zone of another competitor.
E.2.4 Entry into Bicycle Draft Zone
A competitor may enter a bicycle draft zone (subject to the official’s judgment) in the following circumstances:
a) If the competitor enters the draft zone, and progresses through it within 30 seconds, (15 seconds for age group competitors)
b) For safety reasons
c) At an aid station
d) At the exit or entrance of a transition area
e) At an acute turn
f) If race officials exclude a section of the course because of narrow lanes, construction, detours, or for other safety reasons.
g) OAT Mod – Where the bike course is NOT closed to other traffic, for OAT sanctioned races, a maximum of 30 seconds will be allowed for age group competitors to pass through the zone of another competitor.
E.2.5 Overtaking Definition
A competitor is passed when another competitor's front wheel is ahead of theirs. Once overtaken, a competitor must immediately move out of the draft zone of the leading competitor.
E.2.6 Vehicle Draft Zone
Motorcycles are the only vehicles allowed on any section of the course. All drivers, officials, media, and race personnel must wear a securely fastened certified motorcycle helmet at all times when on the motorcycle.
a) The vehicle draft zone is a rectangle thirty-five (35) meters long by five (5) meters wide, which surrounds every vehicle on the cycle segment. The front edge of the vehicle will define the center of the leading 5 meter edge of the rectangle
b) Competitors may not pass through this zone. The responsibility for ensuring that this zone is upheld lies with the driver of the vehicle and the Vehicle Control Official (VCO). All vehicles on the course will be controlled by the regulations outlined in the ITU Event Organizers Manual.
Rules and Regulations
General Rules
Individual athletes will receive one race number which must be worn on the front for the run segment and on your back for the bike . The race numbers cannot be altered in any way or disqualification could result. They must be worn on the front when crossing the finish line.
Competitors must wear swim cap provided by the race organizers unless you have a latex allergy.
Bike and run courses are not closed to vehicular traffic at any event. Obey the rules of the road and be courteous at all times. Keep right. Drafting is illegal!
You CAN NOT wear headphones of any kind while racing. This is a safety concern because you must be able to listen for official's instructions and traffic. Expect to be DQ'd if caught wearing headphones.
No athlete is allowed to have a transition space against the fence. All athletes must use bike rack space. No stools or chairs are permitted in the transition area. Alternate bikes from one side to the other to ensure optimal space for everyone. See beginner’s info page for more detail.
Wetsuits will be allowed at any time the water temperature is 78 degrees or lower.
Athletes must wear safety certified bike helmets.
Athletes must mount and dismount their bikes at the entrance to the Transition Area. Riding a bike in the Transition Area will result in disqualification. Helmet straps must be fastened before mounting the bike. Athletes may not receive assistance in the transition or at any other point during the race.
Drafting of another competitor or motor vehicles is prohibited on the bike course. Competitors may pass through the 7m x 3m draft zone within 15 seconds when passing another athlete.
The competitor is responsible for stepping on the timing mat at each transition to obtain race splits.
Trican rules enforced. You are responsible for knowing the rules before you race.
Hydration - either bottled water or Gatorade will be provided at the finish line, as well as on course. But it is a good idea to bring extra fluids especially on very hot days.
To race elite you must be registered with OAT and you must show proof upon registering. Elites are not permitted to switch to age group at certain races unless there is no elite category in that particular event.
- Minimum Age for Child Wanting to Participate in an Adult Try-a-Tri
The insurance rates for OAT continue to climb. This is due both to an increase in the number of participants and the general risk to the insurance industry. Our insurer applies a lower level of risk to youth only races than they do to adult races. As such, a youth membership is inadequate to cover the risk if someone less than 16 years of age races in an adult event.
It has been agreed that 13 would be a suitable age for kids to race in Try-a-Tri and 16 for Sprint distance races. This was re-confirmed. In addition someone aged 14 or 15 who wishes to race in an adult race MUST hold an adult membership. They must produce this card on race day or pay the 1-day fee. Those who are not members or who cannot prove the adult membership must pay the 1-day fee.