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A message from USAT to all age-group competitors:
Welcome to this USA Triathlon-sanctioned event!
You are racing under the USAT Competitive Rules. In order to minimize any mis-understandings on race day, I hope you will take the time to read the following summary of the Position Violations, which you may 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 at all times. 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 to 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 and/or appeals of Position Violations.
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. Please note that 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 USAT 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 and/or use any portable audio devices.
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!
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