TRIATHLON AUSTRALIA
NOAS Level 2 Technical Official’s Training Programme –
Advanced Level Officiating Principles
Version 4 June 2013
1
COURSE CONTENT
 Introduction
 Unit 1: Advanced Self Management
 Unit 2: Managing the Competition Environment
 Unit 3: Advanced People Management
 Unit 4: ITU Competition Rules
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GROUND RULES
 Mobile phones on silent please
 Participate fully
 Be open to learning new things
 Be supportive
 Please avoid side conversations
 Listen to others
 Have fun!
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INTRODUCTION
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History
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International Triathlon Union (ITU) - sole governing body
Founded in 1989 – First World Championships
Triathlon Australia (TA) is a founding member
Olympic sport since 2000
History
 Triathlon came to Australia in the early 1980s
 The first State Associations were formed in
late 1984
 In May 1986 the Triathlon Federation of
Australia was formed
 In 1991 the name was changed to Triathlon
Australia (TA)
 TA is part of the Oceania Triathlon Union
along with New Zealand, PNG, Samoa etc.
Our Events
Major Games
Olympic, YOG, Asian, Pan-American, Commonwealth
Triathlon World Championships
(Part of World Triathlon Series)
Elite, U23, Junior, AG Olympic, AG Sprint, Paratriathlon
Triathlon World Cups
Triathlon Continental Championships
Triathlon Continental Cups
Multisport Events
Triathlon, Paratriathlon, Cross Triathlon, Winter Triathlon, Aquathlon, Duathlon
APPLICATION OF THE RCR
 The interpretation and application of the RCR shall be consistent with
the status of the event
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Mass participation “come and try” events – focus on education
National series or prize money events – focus on enforcement
Internationally televised events – focus on product
In all types of events, SAFETY IS NOT COMPROMISED
PRODUCT
Local event - with prize money
ITU event
Local event - no prize money
National Champs or
Ironman
“Come and Try” event
EDUCATION
ENFORCEMENT
UNIT 1
Advanced Self Management
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DEVELOPING OFFICIATING SKILLS
 Career path
 Where do you see yourself in 5+ years?
 Professional development plan
 TA State/National Calendar – pick events
 EOI for events – don’t forget to apply!
 Seeking assistance with personal development
 Engage with colleagues, friends, work mates etc. to build your
confidence and skills
 Funding and self-funding
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PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
 On-going liaison with advisors and colleagues
 Utilising technology
 Personal self reflection
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MENTAL SKILLS
 Assessing mental readiness
 Controlling/modifying mental approach
 What is your personal mental preparation plan
 Group Activity – You are RR for the Bribie
Island Triathlon. This is your first race and the
weather forecast is not looking ideal, plus this
will be your first race briefing. Work in pairs to
list the key things you would do to mentally
prepare for the event.
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UNIT 2
Advanced Managing the Competition Environment
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COMPETITION MANAGEMENT
 Pre-event preparation
 Review of event material
 Recruit and allocate TO’s
 Communicate with the Race Director
 Contact TO’s and confirm attendance
 Collect everything you need:
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RCR Rules and Policy Document
Penalty Forms and Event Report
Relevant paperwork (maps, sanction docs etc.)
TO Gear (radios, vests, penalty box gear)
Your gear!
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COMPETITION MANAGEMENT
 On the Day
 Arrive first on the FOP and greet your officials
 Allocate roles and brief officials
 Distribute relevant gear
 Get officials into position
 Transition for bike check etc.
 Meet with Race Director
 Check water temperature and post outcome
 Checked the course (medical, penalty box etc.)
 Locate motorcycles etc.
 Set time and location for TO bebrief
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RACE BRIEFING
 Preparation
 Delivery
 Components
 Swim – course cutting, assistance
 Transition – helmets, bikes, gear, no riding
 Cycle – drafting, blocking, littering, penalty box
 Run- outside assistance, littering
 Queries – Race Referee
 Group Activity: Have each person in the class present a section of a
briefing for the Bribie Island Triathlon
PENALTY BOX PROCEDURE
 Allocate TO’s to penalty boxes and provide paperwork
 Check location and signage for Penalty Box(es)
 Brief Officials on PB procedure:
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Athlete number is recorded and timer started
Athlete must stand still and hold on to their bike and any gear
If an athlete moves out of the penalty box for any reason the time begins again
Release the athlete once the penalty has been served
Complete paperwork
Return all forms to the Race Referee.
Reconcile activities with the Chief Cycle or RR
ADMINISTRATION
 Sanction document review
 Provide verbal & written reports
 Handle objections/protests/appeals
 Ensure all TO gear is collected and returned
 Vests
 Helmets
 Penalty Box Material
 Radios
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MANAGING RISK
 Undertaking a risk assessment
 Developing & implementing a risk management plan
 Responding to identified problems
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RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS
5 Treat the risk
4 Evaluate the risk
3 Analyse the risk
2 Identify the risk
1 Establish the context
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RISK MANAGEMENT PLANNING
 What is the source of the risk?
 What can happen?
 What will the consequences be?
 How are you going to address the risk?
 What is your contingency plan?
 Risks can be categorised into three areas:
 Environment
 Program
 Personnel
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A RISK MANAGEMENT PLANNER
Risk Identification
Strategies to
minimise risk
What is the source of the risk?
Equipment is unstable
Remove the risk….
Remove the equipment
What can happen?
Equipment could fall
Or
What will the consequences be?
The participant may sustain serious
injury…Participation numbers may fall due to
unsafe practices…I may be sued for
negligence
When
Immediately
Who
The
official
Reduce the risk…..
Stabilise or lower the
equipment
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Group Activity: Work in pairs complete a
risk assessment and solution exercise for
the following scenario: You are the RR for the
Bribie Triathlon and checking the forecast on the
BOM site:
INSURANCE FOR OFFICIALS
 Types of Insurance
 Personal Accident: covers an injury or loss to the official
 Public Liability: covers loss or damage to property, or injury due to negligence,
to a member of the public
 Professional Indemnity: covers the official if they have given an instruction
that a participant acts on and is injured or if the official failed to give an
instruction and a participant is injured
 Some policies require the official to be insured at the time of a claim,
which could occur years after the actual incident occurred.
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GROUP ACTIVITY – Assessment of
Sanction Document
 Kingscliffe Triathlon
 Number of athletes = 1,000
 Number of motorbikes = 4
 Number of TO’s = 7
 You will be split into groups and will review the
sanction documents. Each group will also
allocate the TOs they need:
 Group 1 – Pre Race/Start/Swim
 Group 2 – Transition/Cycle
 Group 3 – Run/Finish/Post Race
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PENALTIES, PROTESTS & APPEALS
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NOTIFICATION OF PENALTIES
 Technical Official’s Responsibilities
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Gain the attention of the competitor
Confirm the competitor’s race number
Show the Yellow or Red Card and inform the competitor of the rule infringement and
Advise the competitor of what action needs to be taken:
 Stop-Start penalty on the course
 Proceed to the Penalty Box for a Time or Stop-Start Penalty
 Competitor Conduct
 When shown a Yellow or Red Card by a Technical Official, a competitor must:
 Confirm with the Technical Official their race number; and
 Acknowledge and obey any instruction from the Technical Official
PENALTIES
 The following types of penalties may be applied for a rule
infringement:
 Stop – Start Penalty
 Time Penalty
 Disqualification
PENALTIES
 Stop – Start Penalty
 This is an on the spot penalty for a minor infringement served with a
Technical Official either on the spot or in the Penalty Box.
 The competitor must:
 Stop with Technical Official
 Listen to and acknowledge any verbal instructions
 Proceed when the Yellow Card has been withdrawn and it is safe to do so or the
Technical Official advises to do so
PENALTIES
 Time Penalty
 To be served at a designated area on the cycle course (Penalty Box)
 For the Swim and Run segments (and also aquathlons) the TD and/or RR
should discuss with the Race Director as to whether a time penalty should
apply in these segments. If a time penalty is to apply it will be 3 minutes
Cycle Course Distance
Time Penalty
Up to and including 40km
3 minutes
40.1km and above
5 minutes
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PENALTIES
 Disqualification
 This is awarded by the Race Referee
 on personal observation
 as a result of a report made by a Technical Official
 or a finding by the Competition Jury
 This removes the competitor as a finisher from the results of the event
 2 or more Yellow Card violations during an event will be confirmed by the RR
as a disqualification
 Disqualifications are posted on the Penalties Notice Board usually near the
Finish
NOTIFICATION OF PENALTIES
 Red Card Violations
 Where a red card has been shown the TO must inform the competitor that
they can continue and that a ruling will be made at the completion of the
event
 If the RR disqualifies the competitor, the ruling must be posted in a prominent
location
 The RR may wish to speak to the competitor
 Any postings NOT made within 1 hour of the last competitor finishing the
event are invalid
 TOs MUST fill out a Violation Report
INFRINGEMENT FLOW CHART
Infringement (Competitor)
Red Card / Yellow Card (Technical)
Report Lodged (Technical Official)
Report Assessed (Race Referee)
No further action
Warning
Disqualification
(Race Referee)
Disq. Advised
(Race Referee)
PROTESTS
 If a competitor has a concern regarding a penalty they have the
opportunity to lodge a protest. This must be lodged with the RR
within certain time limits
 A protest cannot be made on an action that has already been
adjudicated.
 A protest cannot be made on a judgment call by a TO
PROTESTS
 A competitor has the opportunity to protest about other aspects of the event,
such as:
 the Course
 eligibility
 Equipment
 another Competitor or an Official
 timekeeping
 If they wish to lodge a Protest they must do this with the Race Referee within the
guidelines in the TA RCR
PROTEST FLOW CHART
Protest Lodged (Competitor)
Protest Assessed
(Race Referee)
Protest dismissed
Protest Upheld
(Race Referee)
(Race Referee)
Competitor advised
Resulting Action(s)
(Race Referee)
(Race Referee)
APPEALS
 A competitor may file an appeal with the Technical Delegate, or STTA
representative if a Technical Delegate was not appointed, against a
ruling of the Race Referee provided that the decision appealed
against has not previously been the subject of an appeal and ruled
upon by the Competition Jury.
 An appeal cannot be made on a judgement call.
APPEAL FLOW CHART
Appeal Lodged (Competitor)
Competition Jury Convened
(Technical Delegate)
Appeal dismissed
Appeal Upheld
(Competition Jury)
(Competition Jury)
Competitor advised
RR and Competitor advised
(Technical Delegate)
(Technical Delegate)
Triathlon Australia Board
Resulting action(s)
(Technical Delegate)
GROUP EXERCISE
 SCENARIO 1
 A distressed athlete crosses the finish line and seeks out the Race Referee
(RR). She tells the RR that her shoes were stolen in Transition by the athlete
next to her.
 You are the RR – discuss the process that would be followed to address the
athlete’s issue.
Group Activity: Work in groups of three.
Take turns in being the athlete, RR and
observer: You are the RR for the QTS Robina
Triathlon. You are approached by an angry
international elite athletes wishing to protest their
disqualifications.
Take a few minutes to prepare for a role play. Play
out the scene and the observer can support,
interject to assist etc. to work through the situation
UNIT 3
Advanced People Management
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LEADING A TEAM OF OFFICIALS
 Providing leadership to officials, pre, during and post competition
 Co-operating and interacting with
 Officials
 Race organisers and their staff
 Coaches and athletes
 Volunteers
 The public
 Mentoring a beginner official
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TECHNICAL OFFICIALS STRUCTURE
 Technical Delegate (TD)
 Appointed by the TA board for all national championship events
 Appointed by the STTA for local events
 Responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the TA RCR, the sanctioning
documentation and Race Operations Procedures are fulfilled before, during
and after the event
 The TD is responsible for chairing the Competition Jury if needed
 The TD will be involved in / overseeing of sanctioning of the event
 The main work of the Technical Delegate occurs leading up to the event
 The TD has the final say on the deployment of TOs
TECHNICAL OFFICIALS STRUCTURE
 Race Referee (RR)
 Appointed in the same way as the Technical Delegate
 The Race Referee is responsible to the Technical Delegate to hear and make
final decisions on all rules violations reported by Technical Officials and on all
protests
 Technical Officials report all issues and violations directly to the Race Referee
or the Chief Official (if appointed) of the relevant area.
 Example: All drafting penalties would be passed on to the Chief Cycle Official to give to
the Race Referee
TECHNICAL OFFICIALS STRUCTURE
 Chief Race Official (CRO)
 Appointed in the same way as the TD and RR
 Responsible to the Technical Delegate for the control and co-ordination
of the deployment of Technical Officials
 Point of contact if the Race Referee is unavailable
TECHNICAL OFFICIALS STRUCTURE
 Chief Officials (CO):
 Appointed by the TD
 Positions include: Chief Swim, Chief Cycle, Chief Run, Chief Transition
 Technical Officials (TOs)
 Appointed by the TD
 Responsible to their respective COs (if appointed) or the RR
 Application of the TA RCR in accordance with the level requested by the
RR
TECHNICAL OFFICIALS STRUCTURE
Race Director (RD)
Race Competition Jury
Technical Delegate (TD)
Race Referee (RR)
Race Operations &
Administration
Chief Race Official (CRO)
Assistant Chief
Swim
Assistant Chief
Cycle
Assistant Chief
Transition
Assistant Chief
Run
Assistant Chief
Start/Finish
Tech. Officials
Swim
Tech. Officials
Cycle
Tech. Officials
Transition
Tech. Officials
Run
Tech. Officials
Start/Finish
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
 Utilise effective communication skills
 Active listening
 Respond to athletes/coaches/officials
 Work with team captains
 Understand and work to the appropriate
Roles and Responsibilities
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MINIMISING CONFLICT
 Implement a preventative approach to minimise conflict
 Adopt a suitable approach to deal with difficult situations
 Using other peoples skills to assist with conflict resolution
 Remember the TO Code of Behaviour – signed by all technical officials
 Remember the TA Members Protection Policy
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SCENARIO 1
 There was a problem identified by the RR at a local race. Overnight
the entrance to the exit of the swim was washed away due to a freak
storm overnight. The RR found the RD on race day and informed him
that the swim exit will need to move. He was greeted with a not so
happy RD who refused to do fix the problem.
 As the Technical Delegate
 What do you do?
 How do you respond to the RD directly?
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SCENARIO 2
 A competitor comes into Transition from the Swim and collapses. She is
distressed, complaining that she cannot see properly. The Transition
Technical Official approaches the athlete to arrange medical assistance. A
coach jumps the fence into Transition and starts yelling at the distressed
athlete to continue racing. She eventually recovers sufficiently to collect
her bike and continue racing.
 You are the RR and the incident is reported to you during the course of the
bike leg.
 As the Race Referee?
 What actions would you take?
 How do you respond to the Coach?
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SCENARIO 3
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UNIT 4
ITU Competition Rules
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ITU Competition Rules
 The ITU Competition Rules are intended to:
 Create an atmosphere of sportsmanship, equality, and fair play.
 Provide safety and protection.
 Emphasise ingenuity and skill without unduly limiting the athlete’s
freedom of action.
 Penalise athletes who gain an unfair advantage.
 Endorse the principle that Triathlon and Duathlon are individual sports
and encourage individual performance and initiative.
General Differences
 ITU Events have a high level of deliverables and therefore have
procedures in place to address this.
 STT appointed by the ITU or OTU
 Pre-race briefing 48 hours prior to the event (Elite)
 Athlete’s gear is checked and all aspects must comply with the uniform
guidelines and UCI guidelines
 Protocol in place for:
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Athlete registration
Athlete introduction
Awards protocol
Swim Start
ITU Athletes’ Lounge
General Differences
 Drug testing
 Bottled water
 Media presence (the level depends on the event)
 Events adhere to a tight time schedule
 Strict timing requirements – photo finish camera etc.
 Technical Officials have clearly defined tasks that they are
expected to perform
 TO checklist
 Roles and Responsibilities are similar but there are differences
 All infringements must be filmed or photographed
ITU: Wetsuit Temperature Limits
 Elite, U23 and Junior athletes
Swim Length
Forbidden Above
Mandatory Below
Up to 1500m
20o C
14o C
1501m and longer
22o C
16o C
 Age Group Athletes
Swim Length
Forbidden Above
Mandatory Below
Up to 1500m
1501m – 3000m
3001m – 4000m
22o C
23o C
24o C
14o C
16o C
16o C
ITU: Time Limits in Water
 Age Group athletes
Swim Length
Elite, U23, Junior
Age Group
300m
10 min.
20 min.
750m
20 min.
30 min.
1500m
30 min.
1 h 10 min.
3000m
1 h 15 min.
1 h 40 min.
4000m
1 h 45 min.
2 h 15 min.
ITU Elite Swim Start
 Athletes are lined up for the start based on
their world ranking they have been reallocated
after the Athletes’ Briefing.
 The athletes selected a numbered position and
stay in that position until the start.
 Start-line Technical Officials note each athlete’s
race number and the selected starting position.
 When all athletes are in place, TO’s raise red
flags in readiness
ITU Transition Zone Conduct
 Bike shoes, glasses, helmet, and other bike
equipment can be placed on the bike.
 Running shoes can be placed in front
of/outside the box as close as possible to the
bike rack;
 Athletes must place all used gear in the
Transition box. Infringements incur a 15
second time penalty
 Athletes mounting the bike too early or
dismounting too late will incur a 15 second
time penalty
ITU Transition Check In
 A bike check will take place upon Check-in to the Transition Area
before the competition. Technical Officials will check that the
bikes comply with the ITU Competition Rules.
 How?
 Who?
 Where?
 When?
Visual check of bikes/helmets
Transition Officials/Referee
TA entrance
45’ before the race start
 Athletes may request approval from the Technical Delegate
during the Athletes’ Briefing to allow them to make
modifications, if necessary, to comply with the rules.
ITU Cycling Conduct - Bikes
 In general, UCI rules will apply:
 UCI road race rules for draft legal triathlon and duathlon races.
 UCI time trial rules for draft illegal triathlon and duathlon races.
 UCI MTB rules for winter triathlon, cross triathlon and cross duathlon races.
ITU Cycling Conduct - Drafting
TRIATHLON
Team Relay
Sprint Distance
Standard Distance
Long Distance Triathlon (O2, O3)
DUATHLON
Team Relay
Sprint Distance
Standard Distance
Long Distance
AQUATHLON
WINTER TRIATHLON (all
distances)
CROSS TRIATHLON AND
DUATHLON (all distances)
Junior
U23
Elite
legal
legal
legal
legal
legal
legal
legal
legal
illegal
legal
legal
legal
legal
Legal
legal
legal
legal
illegal
Age–Group
illegal
illegal
illegal
illegal
illegal
illegal
legal
legal
Paratriathlon
illegal
illegal
illegal
illegal
illegal
illegal
ITU Draft Zones
ITU Cycling Conduct
ITU Cycling Conduct
ITU Wheel Station Official’s Duties
 Chief Wheel Station Official
 Assistant Wheel Station Officials (1-5)
 Ensure that all wheels are delivered
 Brief any wheel station officials and volunteers
 Supervise wheel stations
 Communicate with Chief Cycle Official about and
potential issues on the bike course
 Ensure wheels return to rightful owner
 Notify Referee of any wheels used during a wheel
station
ITU Lap Auditor Official’s duties
 Chief Lap Auditor Official
 Assistant Lap Auditor Official (1)
 Ensure the lap boards and bell are in position for
cycle
 Ensure the lap boards and bell are in position for
run
 Report over the radio to all Technical Officials
when the leaders have completed each lap
ITU Run Conduct
 General rules
 Finish Definition
 An athlete will be judged as "finished," the
moment any part of the torso, reaches the
perpendicular line extending from the leading
edge of the finish line.
 Safety Guidelines
 Illegal equipment
ITU Run official’s duties
 Chief Run Official
 Assistant Run Official (1)
 Verify course measurement
 Ensure traffic controlled and road closure safety on run
 Ensure that athletes who retire from the run course are escorted safely back to
transition
 Check road surface, topography, technical challenges
 Ensure that all hazards are covered and marked
 Ensure the course is swept or clear of any hazards
 Ensure that there are whistles and flags in key areas
 Control de first and last athlete
ITU Run Penalty Box official’s duties
 Chief Run penalty box official
 Assistant Run penalty box official (1-2)
 Upon notice from the Chief Transition Official, the technical official must record the
athlete’s number who performed an infringement, on the penalty board outside the
penalty box area.
 As an athlete stops at the entry to the PENALTY BOX, record the RACE NUMBER and
their watch time PLUS the penalty time on the Athlete Card .
 Direct the athlete to the next position in the PENALTY BOX.
 Strikethrough the athlete’s race number on the penalty board after the athlete fulfills
the penalty.
 When all athletes finished, return the Register, Athlete Cards (held by the Volunteer)
and any unused stationery to the Race Referee.
ITU Aid Station official’s duties
 Chief Aid Station Official
 Assistant Aid Station Officials (2-4)
 Ensure that all and enough water delivered is
supervised by an official
 Ensure that there are enough aid station
volunteers
 Brief all aid station officials and volunteers
 Ensure that aid stations are well stocked
throughout the race
 Communicate with Chief Run Official about
and potential issues on the run course
 Supervise aid stations
ITU Finish official’s duties
 Chief Finish Official
 Review set-up plans with the TD
 Secure finish line tape
 Supervise the placement of the finish line
 Organise a briefing with chief of medical and media manager to review roles
in finish area
 Brief the media prior to the finish re: finish-line and timing so they can get
their long shots
 Supervise flow through area and security
 Supervise the positioning of the video camera
ITU Finish official’s duties
 Supervise the position of the photo finish camera
 Supervise timing equipment placement
 Ensure minimum of 15m from gantry to media stand
 Ensure athletes do not cross back over the finish line
 Ensure athletes leave from the finish area
 Ensure that experienced technical officials hold the finish line tape and that
they are prepared to make the first level decision in the event of a tie.
 In the event of a tie, assemble all of the evidence (finish line officials, video)
THANKS FOR JOINING THE TEAM!
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