—Revised point system, fewer races with a focus on athlete development highlight 2020 Series—
VICTORIA—Canada’s junior and under-23 triathletes will have the opportunity to toe the line in six of 10 races hosted by four provinces as part of the 2020 National Development Series.
Created one year ago in partnership with provincial sport organizations across the country to better prepare young triathletes for elite international competition, Triathlon Canada fine-tuned the development-level series designed for athletes ages 16-23 who are making the transition into ITU racing through the national body’s podium pathway.
Noemie Beaulieu (Gatineau, Que.) and Aiden Longcroft-Harris (Victoria, B.C.) were the women’s and men’s winners respectively of the inaugural National Development Series.
The second annual National Development Series will now consist of 10 identified races within the existing provincial series events in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec. The domestic race series will provide regional race opportunities to support the development of Canadian athletes and coaches.
“Building on our successful foundation year, the National Development Series promises to be a critical tool needed 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 have identified a few adjustments needed to ensure this series fills the void and serves as a key talent identification tool for our national program well into the future.”
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 that will positively impact their development. Athletes should not be racing more than six events on the Series.
“Competing at the elite level requires planning, preparation, discipline and a professional approach to sport,” said Liang. “This Series provides athletes and coaches with a professional structure, points system and race calendar to better prepare them to be successful before advancing their career into elite competition.”
The National Development Series follows a points system aligned with the International Triathlon Union that includes: points allocation; ITU-like ranking; and ITU race formats and course profiles. Age exemptions for athletes younger than 16 will not be permitted.
The Series has once again 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 Gatineau, Que. 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 3 individual event on the same weekend in Ottawa. Relay teams are to be determined by the PSOs.
Tier 2 – Regional Championships – Optional with Premium Points
Points – 15% premium
Tier 3 – Series – Optional with Maximum of Four Races
Points – Standard
Tier 4 – Replacement – Optional, Substitute for one Tier 3 Race
Points – Standard
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 and the 2020 Calendar:
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, 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