USA Triathlon (USAT) has announced the dates and location for the first-ever Draft-Legal World Championships Qualifiers, which will allow top US amateur multisport athletes to represent their country at select 2016 ITU World Championship events.
Beginning in 2016, ITU will change the sprint-distance age-group triathlon and duathlon world championship events to a draft-legal format, which will allow competitors to ride in a draft zone during the cycling portion of the races. Traditionally, these events have been non-drafting, requiring athletes to keep a set distance between them and their fellow competitors.
To compete in these events, athletes must qualify for Team USA, comprised of the nation’s top multisport athletes who represent the US at each ITU World Championships event.
Age-group athletes in the US interested in a Team USA spot for these draft-legal events may attempt to qualify on 7-8 November in Clermont, Florida, at Lake Louisa State Park. The Triathlon Draft-Legal Qualifier will be held on 7 November and will allow top athletes to earn a spot for the 2016 ITU Age Group Sprint Triathlon World Championships in Mexico (city yet to be determined).
The Duathlon Draft-Legal Qualifier will take place on 8 November, and top run-bike-run athletes may earn a spot for the 2016 ITU Age Group Sprint Duathlon Worlds, set to take place in Aviles, Spain. Athletes may compete in both events if they so choose.
For both the triathlon and duathlon qualifiers, the top 10 finishers in each age group can secure spots on Team USA for the 2016 ITU World Championships in their respective disciplines, provided they finish within 30% of the age-group winner’s time. Roll down spots will not be awarded; only those in the top 10 and within 30 percent of the age-group winner’s time will be considered for Team USA.
In addition to the Draft-Legal Worlds Qualifiers, athletes may also qualify for the new draft-legal world championship events at USA Triathlon National Championship events.
The top eight athletes in each age group of the non-drafting sprint race at the USA Triathlon Duathlon National Championships on 6 June in St. Paul, Minnesota, will qualify for Sprint Duathlon Worlds provided they finish within 30% of the age-group winner’s time.
Triathletes competing in the non-drafting USA Triathlon Sprint Nationals on 9 August in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will qualify for Sprint Triathlon Worlds as long as they finish in the top eight and within 30% of the winner’s time.
Information on draft-legal rules for ITU World Championships is available on pages 26-32 of the ITU Competition Rulebook (PDF).
