Lough Ree Monster Triathlon 2011

Athlone Triathlon Club

Race Briefing

Please read and be familiar with the race briefing.

Lough Ree Monster Sunday 21st  August 2011

 

PLEASE ENSURE THAT IF YOU ARE NOT A FULL MEMBER OF TI THAT YOU BUY YOUR ONE DAY LICENCE FROM TI BEFORE THURSDAY THIS WEEK AS YOU WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RACE WITHOUT THIS ONE DAY LICENCE OR A FULL TI LICENCE. PLEASE CLICK THE LINK TO THE TI WEBSITE http://www.triathlonireland.com/one-day-licence.html

 

     Registration will start from 9.30am in Portrunny Bay with a race start time of 12noon.

Registration will close at 11.15am Sharp

Transition will close at 11.30am to facilitate the Race Briefing at 11.40am.

     Register first, you will not gain access to transition without first registering

     Please proceed to transition with your bike without delay

     All bikes will be checked for roadworthiness before they can be brought into transition.

     You will be provided with one race number. Race belts are permitted

     The race number must be clearly displayed on your back during the cycle section and on you front during the run section

     Torso must be covered during the entire race

     Race numbers will be marked on individuals right arm and left leg prior to the race

     Obey marshals and Garda instructions at all times

     Safety is an absolute – no deviations will be tolerated

     A strict 30 minute swim cut off will be used on Sunday

     There will be a mass wave start. Weak swimmers should start at the rear

     Please bring with your TI registration card for inspection. No other proof of ID is accepted

     Non-TI members must purchase a one-day-licence  €15 by Thursday 19th of August

     Race T-shirts will be given to registered athletes on a first come, first serve basis in relation to sizes & quantity.

     Race times will be measured using the Precision Timing system using electronic chips.Wrap the strap  above the ankle and ensure that it is firmly in place. Remove your chip immediately after you cross the finish line. You will be held financially responsible for any chips not returned

     If you retire from the race, inform your nearest marshal and return your timing chip

     Athletes must ensure that they are well prepared for the race. General health should be good and you will be expected to know the course in advance

     The Lough Ree Monster Sprint is a TI sanctioned race. All athletes must follow TI rules and regulations

     Any form of external assistance such as coaching, pacing, provision of any materials is prohibited

     Abusive behaviour from competitors or their supporters will not be tolerated. Any transgression of this regulation will be heavily penalised and may result in disqualification

     Any referee decisions will be posted on the athlete board at transition within 1 hour of the race finishing. Appeals must be in written format and be submitted within 1 hour of the referee’s decision being posted as per TI guidelines

Race Briefing

Transition

     Transition will open from 9.30am on race day.

     Entrance to transition is strictly controlled, only those registered athletes will be permitted entry. Family members, friends, coaches, media personnel etc are not allowed in the transition area, athletes will be expected to enforce these rules

     Road worthy bikes will be allowed in transition.

     Bike racks will be clearly marked – you must rack your bike in this area, and this area only.

     Only that equipment that is essential to your race may be left in your transition area. As space is limited, please adhere to this ruling; transition marshals will perform regular checks. During the race, maintain your equipment in an orderly manner. Equipment deemed to be causing an obstruction will be removed

     From the swim exit T1 – once your helmet is in place and clipped ONLY then may you remove your bike from its racked position

     From the bike return T2 – rack bike fully & correctly and ONLY then remove your helmet

     Once you finish your race, please do not loiter in the transition area, please think of other competitors still in the race. Please remove your bike and race equipment

 

 

Swim

     Full-length wetsuits are obligatory. If you are not wearing a wetsuit, you will not be permitted to enter the lake. Once in the lake, you are not permitted to remove your wetsuit

     Swim caps provided must be worn.

     There will be a single wave start. Please make way for strong swimmers to manoeuvre to the head of the field. Weaker swimmers should move to the rear of the pack

     Safety is our primary concern throughout the swim section. The swim section will be well marshalled by Sub Aqua rescue boats and kayakers.

     If you wish to retire from the swim, please remain calm, lie on your back and raise a clenched fist in the air. A boat or canoeist will come to your assistance.

     If a swim marshal deems it necessary, you can be removed from the water for your own safety.

     There will be a safety cut off of 30 minutes for the swim section

     You must swim the full course. Anyone identified cutting the corners will be stopped, turned back and made go around the corner properly.

     The swim is based in the lake so no currents exists.

 

Bike

     Bike section consists of 1 lap

     You must have your helmet secured in place at all times

     No cycling through transition

     Mount/Dismount lines will be strictly enforced

     Failure to comply with the above rules will result in a 2 minute Stop-Go Penalty

     Obey marshals and Garda instructions at all times

     Rules of the road apply throughout

     Drafting is the term to describe the act of taking shelter behind or beside another competitor or vehicle, within the “Draft Zone” during the cycling segment. Competitors are not allowed to Draft and all competitors must reject any attempt by others to draft. The Draft Zone is a rectangle, surrounding every competitor that is 3 metres wide and extends to 10 metres behind the front wheel of the competitor’s bicycle.  The front edge of the front bicycle wheel will define the centre of the leading 3-metre edge of the rectangle.  A competitor may enter the draft zone but must be seen to be making forward progress. A maximum of 15 seconds will be allowed for a competitor to pass through the draft zone. If warned by a draft marshal, you must immediately comply with their orders. Failure to comply with such orders can result in disqualification.

     Once you have returned from the cycle section, rack your bike and only then unclip your helmet. Failure to perform this procedure will result in penalties.

 

Run

     A single out and back course

     The run section is NOT on closed roads, and, in certain sections, the run and bike courses overlap. Please take care and maintain a safe road position.

     Please follow marshal instructions

Relay Teams

Relay Teams

     There will be a designated transition area for relay teams.

     Once the swim section is complete, the swimmer should proceed to the ‘holding area’ and pass on their chip to the cyclist.

     The cyclist must then proceed to their racked bike, don their helmet and clip it in position and only then remove their bike from the rack. Cyclists cannot bring their helmet to the holding area

     On returning, the cyclist must rack their bike, unclip and remove their helmet. Once this is done, they can proceed to the ‘holding area’ and transfer the timing chip to their runner. The runner can then proceed with the run section

     Teams will only receive times once the timing chip is worn by all 3 team members

     Each member must behave as all other competitors, equipment must be stowed safely away before proceeding to the holding area.