World Triathlon has teamed up with RaceRanger for what is being billed as… ‘a new era in the development and advancement of the sport of triathlon, through a ground-breaking new triathlon specific anti-drafting technology.’
RaceRanger is an electronic sensor system designed to improve fairness around the issue of drafting on the bike section of non-drafting triathlons. Non-drafting competitions make up approximately 85% of triathlon competitions globally.
Up until now, determination of drafting distances by athletes and the technical officials policing them are currently made with subjective naked eye judgements.
Developed by two triathletes from New Zealand, in collaboration with the World Triathlon Sports team, RaceRanger comprises two electronic units. Triathletes in non-drafting competitions attach the units to their bicycles, one at the front and one at the rear. All athletes will have the devices fitted before the event.
‘The system makes highly accurate measurements of the distance between athletes while they ride. The rear unit features a light that directs a light signal backwards to a following competitor, providing information about their following distance.
‘The system detects when infringements are occurring and sends this data to technical officials patrolling the course, via a tablet app interface. The official assesses the situation in real-time and can then make a decision on whether a penalty needs to be applied through the system.’
World Triathlon added… ‘This innovative application of cutting-edge technology will significantly reduce this pain point for non-drafting triathlon competitors around the world. As a sport within the Olympic movement, World Triathlon is committed to fair play for all competitors. RaceRanger will eliminate much of the subjectivity around the drafting rules, enhancing race-day experiences for all athletes in those events.’
RaceRanger will be initially trialled publicly in competition at selected events over the New Zealand summer, with technical officials from Triathlon New Zealand. Following a trial period, the RaceRanger system will be reviewed, and its future use and development will be aligned and integrated with future World Triathlon competition rules adjustments as required.
“World Triathlon is one of the most progressive and innovative sporting organisations in the world, and we have proved this approach multiple times,” said World Triathlon President and IOC Member, Marisol Casado.
“With this agreement with RaceRanger we want to make the athlete experience better, providing new technologies that will increase the fairness of the competition for all athletes, especially the ones competing in longer distance formats.
“I am really proud of our involvement in bringing the RaceRanger project to life from the beginning, supporting new ideas and technologies that will help develop our sport and make it even more accessible for all in the near future”, she explained.
RaceRanger was developed by James Elvery and Dylan McNeice, who have both competed as top-level World Triathlon and long-distance professional triathletes. The system was developed in New Zealand over the past five years, in collaboration with World Triathlon, and with support from the University of Canterbury and other local partners.
www.triathlon.org
www.RaceRanger.com
