Sanctions in Triathlon

Participating in a Triathlon Competition: Watch the Rules!

Participating in a triathlon competition means venturing into a well-regulated universe. Imagine you're ready to give it your all when suddenly... a warning! 👋 Don't panic, here's what you need to know:

The Verbal Warning: A Harmless Reminder

The first sanction to know is the verbal warning. In triathlon, it's a bit like a gentle whistle blow 📣: the referees give you your race number and calmly explain why you're being called to order. An example? A misplaced race belt. You quickly correct it and get going instantly! 🚀

Cards in Triathlon: Yellow, Blue, Red!

The cards are a bit like in soccer! The first stop is the yellow card 🟨. That's when things start getting a bit tougher 😬. It penalizes minor infractions, like improperly arranging your gear in the transition area or dropping equipment along the way 🍬. The referee stops you, explains the reason, then lets you continue once the issue is fixed. This is called stop & go: you stop, fix it, and move as fast as the wind! 🌬️

If you find yourself drafting on your bike 🚴, you risk getting a blue card 🔵. Since 2020, this means a mandatory stop in the penalty box for 1 to 5 minutes ⛺, depending on the race format. No comfort, no refreshment: just you, your bike... and the clock ticking while others continue without you 🥱.

Finally, the toughest is the red card 🔴. It's the immediate disqualification. It can be given without warning for serious infractions, such as: Crossing a forbidden line Not respecting traffic rules Exhibiting inappropriate behavior ⛔ This means immediate disqualification from the competition: Game over...

Good Habits to Avoid Sanctions

To remember, to avoid getting a slap on the wrist 😅.

• Pre-race briefing: listen carefully, it's like a small manual for the perfect triathlete.
• Watch the drafting: allowed or not? Make sure you know before the race 🔍.
• Equipment standards: extensions, wetsuit... no last-minute tinkering! ⏱️

If you get caught... stay calm! Arguing is pointless. Accept it, serve your penalty (yes, it's like school 🎓) and continue your race with a smile 😁. In this sport, you need to be autonomous, it's your role to remember your penalty. There's no need to play smart, the referees have eagle eyes 👀.

So, ready for the start? It's your turn, budding triathlete! 💪