Checklist for Head Official

Head Official: Assigned by the Technical Delegate, Triathlon Alberta.

Before Race Day

  1. The TD Delegate, Triathlon Alberta will have forwarded you an email with the names and contact numbers of all Officials attending, the Race Director, the Technical Delegate and any Shadows expected to attend. Make contact with the Race Director to let him know you will be there.
  2. Review Sanctioning Package and Approval. Familiarize yourself with the course and race literature distributed to participants, race website; make note of any errors that require correcting either prior to the race or need to be announced at the pre-race briefing. Check the weather report for race day.
  3. The Technical Delegate will have approved the sanctioning: you will need to arrive early enough to determine that there have been no changes to the course/venue and that there are no features which do not comply. Determine if they will have to be changed.
  4. If this is an open water swim: you will need to conduct preliminary water temperature check prior to race start; inform race director of temperature and any potential bearing on wet suit use. Remind the Race Director that you require a method of taking the water temperature i.e. a boat must be available and a life jacket for anyone heading out in that boat.

Race Day

  1. Arrive at Race Site at least one and a half hours early. Introduce yourself to the Race Director and any accompanying Officials/Shadows. If open water swim, take water temperature 1 hour prior to race and determine if wet suits will be wither required or permitted. Temperature should be measured at three points along the course and averaged. Announce this decision in Transition. Assess the weather and discuss alternate plans (if necessary) with the Race Director.
  2. If there is an Elite Heat or Kids of Steel race, make sure that you or other Officials check bikes for appropriate equipment restrictions; review Triathlon Alberta’s amended Disc Brake policy.
  3. Meet with Race Director, note any last minute changes to Race Course, 2 determine whether roads are closed or not. Go over penalties and information for athlete’s pre-race meeting.
  4. Create competition Jury. Use Triathlon Alberta General manager (cell number), Technical Delegate (cell number), a member of the Race Committee, Medical Team, an athlete, etc. Need three people.
  5. If motorcycles are available ask one to take you (or other experienced Official) out to review the bike course; if not, drive the course (perhaps on the way to the site.) Check for hazards on the course (i.e. ice/slush, gravel in corners, no staffing at busy intersections etc.) Realistically there is not always enough time to do this on race morning.

One hour prior to Race StarT

-hold meeting with Officials.

a. Advise them of changes to Race Course

b. Advise them as to where they are to be stationed (transition, bike, etc.)

c. If riding a motorcycle arrange for them to meet with their drivers – get a schedule for leaving. Ensure proper equipment is available.

d. Advise as to penalties they will be issuing (i.e. stop and go, variable time, penalty box) and if there are any special situations that are to be considered.

e. Advise them when making a DQ or assessing a penalty, they are to note the athlete number, time of infraction, location and as many details as possible (male, female, color of helmet or bike etc., and why the penalty was assessed)

f. Advise as to where they will be meeting at the end of the race, and how often to report in (i.e. half-iron distance race; competitors appealing penalties must inform the head referee within 15 minutes of finishing).

Half Hour before the Race Start

  • Have the Race Director call athletes meeting and deliver pre-race briefing.
  • Close Transition.

After Race

  1. Meet with Officials, gather penalties and DQ’s and any notes that they have (include these in the race report).
  2. Make list of DQ’s and penalties, post one copy, keep other for race report.
  3. If necessary, assemble the competition jury. 
  4. Check with the Medical Team for any accident reports. Take the information for your race report.
  5. Review the results. Check for anomalies, watch split times and if any timing looks suspect; query or ask that the athlete be called to the Timing Table to discuss. Watch for possibility of missed laps, cut corners, and the absence of timing mat recordings. Use your judgement: if possible, check last year results, google the athlete in question for prior races at the same distances. Be prepared to disqualify any athlete you feel may have not completed the entire course. Sign off on the results; give one copy to the Race Director. Make note of the number of participants for your race report. Many Officials will witness the award ceremonies to ensure the approved results were used and that there was an equal distribution of awards between male and female.
  6. Thank Race Director and Officials for their time and courtesy, tell them that you are leaving.
  7. Contact the Triathlon Alberta office on the first business day following the race if there were any accidents, protests or controversies. Office # 780-427-8616.
  8. Complete TD Post Event Report and Expense Claim and send them back to Triathlon Alberta, General Manager within 2 weeks.

Submit Reports

  1. Head Officials must submit their post event reports on the sanctioning portal at: http://sanctionabtri.com/
  2. By email to: coordinator@triathlonalberta.ca for Expense Claims
  3. By mail to: Alberta Triathlon Association 11759 Groat Rd, Edmonton, AB T5M 3K6