Message from the Head Referee

A Message from the Head Referee to all age-group competitors

Welcome to this USA Triathlon sanctioned event. You are racing under the USAT Competitive Rules. In order to minimize misunderstandings on race day, I hope you will take the time to read the following summary of the Position Violations, which you know as the drafting rules.

I have reduced the Position Rules to the following concepts, which everyone can remember:

• Ride on the right side of your lane.
• Keep three bike lengths between yourself and the cyclist in front of you.
• Pass on the left of the cyclist in front, never on the right.
• Complete your pass within 15 seconds.
• If passed, you must drop completely out of the zone, to the rear, before attempting to re-pass.

Remember you are racing in a USA Triathlon sanctioned event and there are USAT certified referees on the course to ensure fairness in the competition. There will be NO WARNINGS if you commit a foul during competition. Triathlon is an individual event and you must take personal responsibility to understand the rules and avoid penalties. At the end of the race all citations by the marshals are reviewed by the Head Referee who then decides if a penalty should be assessed. The Head Referee’s ruling is final in the case of Position Violations and there are no protests or appeals of Position penalties. Marshals commonly cite the following violations:

• Position– riding on the left side of the lane without passing.
• Blocking – left side riding and impeding the forward progress of another competitor
• Illegal Pass – passing on the right.
• Overtaken – failing to drop back three bike lengths before re-passing
• Drafting – following a leading cyclist closer than three bike lengths and failing to pass within 15 seconds.

Though Position Violations carry a time penalty for first offense, two citations will result in an additional penalty and if you are cited for three violations, you will be disqualified. Be sure to check the penalty sheet before you leave the race site and have a chat with the Head Referee if you have any questions.

Make sure your helmet is a CPSC approved model. All helmets legally sold in the US are CPSC approved but if you purchased your helmet in a different country it might be illegal for use in sanctioned events.

While on your bike, always have your chinstrap securely fastened – before, during and after the event! The chin strap rule is easy to follow, so don’t forget – that’s a DQ!

Wear your race numbers, don’t leave your trash on the course, and don’t carry or use any portable audio devices.

Do not wear headphones during the race. While many races (mainly running races) do not enforce a “no headphones” policy, we do and will issue penalties. Our volunteers may offer a friendly reminder prior to the race – this is just to help you! Please do not take it personally.

Remember to treat other athletes, volunteers, and officials with courtesy and consideration. Failure to do so is called Unsportsmanlike Conduct and you will be disqualified.

All that being said, I hope you have a great race, lots of fun, and achieve all your goals.

Will Dixon
Head Referee