NEW TRI RULINGS
British Triathlon announce a host of changes for 2017 season
The 2017 British Triathlon rulebook amendments have become one of the most talked about in recent memory, with two key changes lighting up the multisport forums and social media.
The new ‘Competitors can’t be accompanied by any non-competing person in the finish chute’ ruling attracted the most ire, with the Outlaw organisers the first to criticise the new rule on the race’s Facebook page. ‘Really... we’re a big supporter of BTF but not sure about this. Outlaws will be Outlaws!’ said a post that attracted 70 comments. ‘Come on BTF, let’s promote participation,’ said one post. ‘It’s the highlight of our littlest one’s year running down that red carpet. They’re the triathletes of tomorrow.’
Ironman brought in the finish rule in 2009 and reaction was mixed, with some lamenting not being able to cross the line with those who’ve backed their efforts in the months and years leading to the race. Alternatively, many athletes argued that they’d grown tired of having their finish route blocked by supporters, especially with Ironman World Championship points on the line.
Quite whether the race organisers religiously enforce the rule, or turn a blind eye, is open to question, with the Outlaw organisers, OSB, set for forthcoming discussions with British Triathlon.
When pressed by 220 on the new finish line decision, British Triathlon replied that it was a requirement of being a Federation member of the ITU. “Keeping non-competitors off the field of play and, in particular, the finish chute has always been an unwritten rule within the ITU,” said the BTF. “Recent collaboration between ITU and Ironman has identified the need to have a standard set of rules for all triathlons worldwide, and this ruling regarding the finish chute is one both were keen to see written into the rules. Allowing noncompetitors into this area is fraught with danger as athletes finishing may have little awareness of what’s happening around them. In particular, this is the last place you want small children.”
The other major talking point is the amendment to the Illegal Equipment listing, which states that only ‘Headphone(s), headset(s) or technical earplug(s), which are inserted in or covering the ears’ are banned from racing. This change sees athletes allowed to wear bone-conduction headphones on both the bike and run.
“This change is to try and keep pace with technology in the way that triathlon has always tried to,” added the BTF. “The bottom line is that bone-conducting devices are allowed provided instructions from officials can still be heard.”