(1-19-10) From AA Sports Press Release, from John Goff, Head Referee - Just as you regularly train and prepare for your upcoming competitions, so do the course marshals and referees whose job it is to enforce the AA Sports "Rules of Competition" (RoC) as they apply to all AA Sports multisport events that take place each year in the Northwest. These rules can be found in their entirety TRI NorthWest Web site.
The fundamental principle behind non-draft legal triathlon and duathlon competition in North America centers around unaided individual performance, which is why Drafting, Blocking and Outside Assistance is prohibited. Equally important is the concept of non-interference - meaning that you should not impede any other athlete, or be impeded by any other athlete, most commonly in the form of Blocking. The AA Sports Rules of Competition (RoC) were created to define and standardize a structure for our competition based on these principles of non-interference and unaided individual performance.
Also read the accompanying article published with the RoC: The Duathlon/Triathlon Referees - What are they looking for? And why? This article will help you have an infraction free race - CLICK HERE TO READ
New updates for the 2010 Rules of Competition (RoC):
1) A clarification about where to find the reported infractions and assigned penalty information:
The Head Referee's (or his representative's) preliminary "Infraction Report" is posted at the Results Table at the event at the conclusion of the race. Final infractions and assigned penalties will be published by entrant number with the results following each race on the www.racecenter.com Web site.
It should be noted that penalties have NOT been posted with the results during the last two seasons due to complaints received by AA Sports by some as having "insult added to injury". This is not working as there is a perception that the penalties are not being assessed against the guilty athletes. The method of having a link directly to those receiving penalties will again be used in 2010 and beyond. This list will provide the bib # of the athlete, the infraction and the assigned time penalty. Also, within the results themselves in the far right margin there will be five asterisks (*****) adjacent to the athletes name indicating that they have been penalized.
2) A re-write of Disqualification #11 - The prohibition against "Outside Assistance":
Outside Assistance is prohibited. No form of coaching, athlete pacing, escorting, or repair assistance (with the single exception of athletes sharing parts or tools) is allowed during the race, during the swim, bike, or the run. Any mechanical or flat tire repairs must be performed by the individual athlete unaided. This prohibition also applies to unauthorized cars; non-athlete bicycles on the bike course, and no pedestrian pacers, coaches or bicycles are allowed on the run course. Assisted athletes will be disqualified.
3) The introduction of the "2-minute Standing Penalty":
At the discretion of the race officials a "Standing 2-minute Penalty" can be imposed. Standing penalties longer than 2-minutes can also be imposed. When instructed by the race official, the athlete is required to stop at the nearest safe location well clear of the other athletes as directed by the race official. The penalty time begins when the athlete stops. The athlete is not cleared to resume their race until instructed by the race official. Failure to comply with the instructions of the race officials is an automatic disqualification.
4) Final Note:
Again, it needs to be stressed that the RoC are there to provide a "level playing field" for all the athletes competing in the race. It is frustrating to the accomplished Triathlete/Duathlete who adheres to these rules only to feel penalized when those not following the rules are not penalized. For the newer Triathletes/Duathletes they should not view penalties as punishment, but as a learning tool to help them understand the sport better so that they may compete at a higher level.
As always, Any Questions? Please ask!
Warm Regards,
John Goff (email)
Head Referee, AA Sports, Ltd.
