Winter Triathlon 101
By Gale Bernhardt
For Active.com
In the past few years it seems more and more triathletes are looking to keep up their fitness by training and racing another sport after the triathlon season is complete.
That sport might be running focused (5K, 10K, half-marathon, marathon), cycling focused (bike tours, centuries, time trials) or multisport (cyclocross, duathlon, aquathlon) focused. Athletes in colder climates are showing more interest in winter triathlon.
So just what is winter triathlon?
The chart below gives distances for the various winter tri options, which are typically run, bike and ski.
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Cross Country Run
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Mountain Bike
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Cross Country Ski
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Minimum age required
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Team Relay
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2 to 3 km
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4 to 5 km
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3 to 4 km
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16
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Sprint Distance
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3 to 4 km
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5 to 6 km
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5 to 6 km
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16
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Standard Distance
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7 to 9 km
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12 to 14 km
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10 to 12 km
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18
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Though the rules for winter triathlon can be found on the ITU Download and Resources Page within the Competition Manual download, the 2008 rules are posted below. (Note that some spelling changes have been made to standardize the text with other documents found on this site.)
The rules are posted here because a lot of information can be gained by just reading the rules of the sport. Additionally, I spoke to a couple of winter triathletes that were not familiar with the rule set for one reason or another, so this may help other winter triathletes get a handle on their fast-growing sport.
Winter Triathlon Rules
Q.1 Definition
Winter Triathlon consists of running, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. The two first segments will be on snow as much as possible depending on the natural conditions.
Q.2 Official Training and Familiarization
a) Official training and familiarization sessions will be conducted by the Technical Delegate and the LOC (Local Organizing Committee). Athletes and coaches may attend these official training and familiarization session.
b) Conduct on race days: It is not accepted that any athletes warm up or do reconnaissance of the course while a race is going on.
Q.3 Running Conduct
a) Running shoes are mandatory on the running segment. This rule is not applicable for age groupers.
b) Running shoes with spikes are allowed.
Q.4 Mountain Biking Conduct
a) The minimal tire dimension is 26×1.5 inches, (599-40) which means that the smallest part of the tire should not be less than 40mm.
b) Cleated and/or slick tires are allowed.
c) The bike segment of the Winter Triathlon Competitions is laid out as a cross-country course over snow and may follow in its part normal roads or paths.
d) Athletes are allowed to push or carry the bike over the course.
e) Drafting is allowed; it may be forbidden to pass other athletes before entering the Transition Area.
f) Lapped athletes will be not removed from the race.
g) Athletes must bring their own necessary tools and parts and must carry out repairs.
h) Bike shoes are mandatory in the MTB segment. This rule is not applicable for age-group athletes.
Q.5 Coaches Zone
a) In both the bike and ski segments coaches will have one space to feed their athletes in a designated zone.
Q.6 Skiing Conduct
a) Testing of equipment (skis) is allowed prior to the race on specially marked tracks, or on the race course if announced by the Technical Officials.
b) During the race, athletes cannot be accompanied by team members, team managers or other pacemakers on the course.
c) Athletes are allowed to change one ski and both poles.
d) Athletes may ski with any technique.
e) Certain zones may have restrictions to classical style or double poling.
f) Wearing the bike helmet during the ski segment is not allowed. Due to the effect of cold temperatures on mobility, wearing a helmet could be authorized by the TD (Technical Director).
g) Once a request to pass is made by an athlete, the athlete being passed must move to the side as soon as possible.
h) In the finish chute (30-50m), skiing freestyle may be forbidden. Double poling may be required. Prepared tracks must then be used.
i) Athletes cannot remove their skis until at least 10m past the finish line. The last ski check will take place after this line.
j) Ski shoes are mandatory in the cross country ski segment. This rule is not applicable for age-group athletes.
Q.7 Transition Area Conduct
a) Skiing inside the transition area is forbidden.
b) In the Transition Area, Technical Officials may assist athletes by receiving and placing their bikes and handing out their equipment. This service must be the same for all athletes.
Q.8 Finish Definition
a) An athlete will be judged as "finished," the moment the tip of the front ski boot crosses the finish line.
Gergley Markus, Director of Event and Managing Director of Major Games with the ITU, let me know that winter triathlon made an unsuccessful bid for the 2014 Olympic Games. They will try again when the process begins for application to the 2018 Games.
As the season progresses, stay tuned for more information on winter triathlon.
Search for a winter triathlon
