Triathlon Canada —14-event development series provides more high-quality domestic race opportunities, preparing young Canadian athletes for elite international competition—

VICTORIA—In an effort to better prepare more young Canadian triathletes for elite international competition, Triathlon Canada has launched a newly-created National Development Series for 2019 in cooperation with its provincial sport organizations.

Focused on providing more regional race opportunities for junior and under-23 athletes ages 16-23 who are making the transition into ITU racing through Triathlon Canada’s podium pathway, the newly formed series consists of 14 identified races from within the existing provincial series. The domestic race series will provide regional race opportunities to support the development of Canadian athletes and coaches.

“Creating this development race series is a critical step forward that is required to increase the talent pool and streamline the success for Canada’s next generation of elite triathletes,” said Eugene Liang, high-performance director, Triathlon Canada. “Experience, exposure and cost-effective opportunities to train and race are key to the progression of high-performance athletes. Through the support of our provincial sport organizations, we feel this new-look series will fill this void and serve as a key talent identification tool for our national program.”

Canadian athletes developing through Triathlon Canada’s Podium Pathway at the Train-to-Train stage of the Long Term Athlete Development model, or those who have not been selected to the National Team or National Development Team, will be required to determine an appropriate race calendar with their coaches where they will accumulate points in up to six of the 14 races slated from British Columbia to the Maritimes. The only mandatory race for all athletes will be the National Championships Super Sprint race at the Kelowna Apple Triathlon, July 6.

“Competing at the elite level requires planning, preparation, discipline and a professional approach to sport,” said Liang, who added athletes should not compete in more than six of the races across the country. “This Series provides athletes and coaches with a professional structure, points system and race calendar to better prepare them to be successful when taking the next giant step to elite competition.”

The National Development Series is designed to familiarize athletes and coaches with the ITU system through the incorporation of ITU-like points allocation, ITU-like ranking, and ITU race formats and course profiles. It will work within the under-23 and junior categories as defined by the ITU rules. Age exemptions for athletes younger than 16 will not be permitted.

The Series has been divided into a four-tier system to determine points and racing requirements:

Tier 1 – National Championships – Mandatory Requirement

Points – 20% premium on individual events

Tier 1 includes the National Junior/U23 Mixed Relay Championships to be held in Edmonton on July 21.  This is a one-off event with recognition for top teams.  Points are not allocated, but athletes racing in the relay have the option to also do the Tier 2 individual event on the same weekend for a 15% premium.  Relay teams are to be determined by provincial sport organizations.

Tier 2 – Regional Championships – Optional with Premium Points

Points – 15% premium

 

Tier 3 – Series – Optional with Maxiumum of Four Races

Points – Standard

 

Tier 4 – Replacement – Optional, Substitute for one Tier 3 Race

Points – Standard

 

Complete National Development Series Race Calendar:

 

Triathlon Canada will update the National Development Series rankings every Friday throughout the competition season at 12 noon PST.

For complete information on the National Development Series

 

ABOUT TRIATHLON CANADA

Triathlon Canada is the governing body of the sport in the country. Triathlon Canada’s more than 22,000 members include athletes, coaches and officials from the grassroots to elite levels. With the support of its valued corporate partners – 94 FORWARD, 2XU Canada, Training Peaks, Zizu Optics, Subaru Canada – along with the City of Victoria, Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Own the Podium, Triathlon Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and World Champions in all race disciplines. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit us at www.triathloncanada.com. 

 

*****

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan

Triathlon Canada

T: 403-620-8731

E-mail: chris.dornan@triathloncanada.com