weekly newsletter 16 february 2016

SUNDAY RACE REPORT
What a fantastic race last Sunday.  Thanks to all of the competitors who made the extra effort to get into the 'Race of Love' theme.  It was a lot of fun with a few chuckles and head shakes as the costumes developed.  Sunday was our biggest club race this season, and looking back over our records it looks like the biggest turnout we have ever had at a club race.  120  starters on the long course and 24 on the short course.  It’s the first time we have had to put up 11 bike racks - many thanks to the duty volunteers and competitors for helping set that up at the last minute.  

It’s now our third race with using the 100 minute handicap.  Like any change, it has had a few teething problems.  It’s a significant change that is becoming more seamless with each race.  We have many new members, with a few first timers to triathlon.  I'm not sure if it’s bad habits creeping back into our races or competitors being unaware of the rules, but... everyone must be familiar with the Triathlon Australia rules, especially with the BCU and Club Champs coming up.  You will receive a penalty if you breach the rules.

A couple of issues that require attention:

• Drafting and blocking.  There is a great video about it on our web page, or check it out  here .  On Sunday there were a few groups of riders drafting over the course.  Don't' do it.  
• Race numbers.  Your number must be visible on the bike leg.  That means, on our club races, you must wear your race belt with race number.  Starting next race, if you attempt to start the bike leg without your number you will be sent back to transition to put in on.  The same applies to the run leg.  If you attempt to start the run leg without your number you will be sent back to transition to put in on.   If you race without  a number, your name will be recorded and you will incur a time penalty.  No excuses.  If you have lost your number, you will be required to bring $20 to the next race where our handicapper will issue you with a new number, belt and chip.   Let our handicapper know if you need a new belt.  
• It’s great to see young kids supporting their parents at races, but please make sure they stay out of the way of competitors.  All non-competitors must stay out of transition and off the designated course.  I don't want to see a competitor running into a child, which is becoming a problem around the finish chute and the drink station - someone will get hurt.  

All that aside.  Lets race safely so everyone can enjoy the sport we love.

• Fastest Female: Jan Rooney
• FastestMale: Richard Pearson
• Duty person of the Day: Lisa Alford
• Hottest man Alive: Ian Fergusson
• Family of Love: Jade and Phil Viles
• Sexy and Disturbing: Ed Brazier
• Queen of Hearts: Carla Croaker
• Cupid: Jo Kane
• Mr Chipendale: Griffo
• Angel of Love: Jo Fergusson 

RACE DUTY
Reminder for members who have not yet volunteered for duty, that there are gaping holes in duty roster for the next few months. If members don't self allocate by the end of this week, duties WILL be allocated for them and it will be up to them to organise swaps if the dates do not suit. Club membership requires ALL members to do at least one duty a season.
Below are some comments by our friendly local TO Allan after observing the race on Sunday.

Race Numbers
The rule re the bike course states:
 
“3.6  A competitor must clearly display the race identification number(s) at all times on the bicycle course if provided by the Race Director. Those not complying may incur a StopStart penalty”.
 
Note that the rule does not specify HOW the number is to be displayed. Therefore if seat post numbers are provided by the Race Director (RD) and this happens at most sanctioned events outside of club races, then that’s enough. If not, then the best way to comply is to wear a race belt with the number shown to the rear (and not upside down nor inside out!).
 
The rule re the run course is different and states:
 
“4.3  A competitor must clearly display the race identification number, if provided by the Race Director, on their front at all times on the run course. Those not complying may incur a Yellow Card Stop-Start penalty.”
 
Note that the rule is specific on how the number is to be displayed….”on their front”. The best way to comply is to wear a race belt and swing the number to the front (and again not upside down nor inside out!). On Sunday, very few competitors complied with this rule, most showing the number to the rear and way too many showing no number at all. Taken to extremes, every official on the course could issue a runner not showing a number, a stop go penalty. That would tend to blow out the run split just when you were heading for a PB.
 
Timing Chips
Timing Chips must be worn on the left ankle. This is a safety requirement in case the strap becomes loose and gets caught up in the chain ring (which is on the right side of the bike). The possibilities are painful.
 
Helmets
A number of competitors were observed to unclip or even remove their helmets on dismount. This will get you a stop go penalty in a sanctioned event.
 
Hope these comments are helpful. I’ll re-state them next race at the briefing and do a brief drafting rules demo, aimed at the newbies.
 
Cheers
Allan Harrison

​JUNIOR TOUR
Phil and Andrew as club coaches are looking for expressions of interest from juniors to attended the Luke Harrop Memorial Triathlon on the Gold Coast. It is the weekend April9-10. It would be for ages 13-18. Please email Phil or Andrew. Download details here.
  
COFFS HARBOUR TRIATHLON CLUB POLICY
Junior’s 13 and 14 years of age.
Coffs Harbour Triathlon Club complies with Triathlon Australia Race Rules.  Those rules stipulate that juniors must be 13 years of age before they are allowed to complete our short course club race (350m swim / 10km ride / 2.5km run) and  14 years of age before they are allowed to complete the long course (750m swim / 20km ride / 5km run).

Coffs Harbour Triathlon Club encourages juniors to complete in our club races.  The bike leg is conducted on open roads around the Jetty, and the north eastern sides of Coffs Harbour CBD.  Harbourside markets and Car-boot markets elevate the pedestrian and vehicular congestion at the Jetty on Sunday mornings, additionally Hogbin Drive is a key arterial road that comprises part of the bike leg.    

To mitigate the risk of juniors colliding with pedestrians and/or vehicles: juniors under the age of 15 must nominate a competent adult to ride with them during the bike leg.  The primary role of the adult is to ensure the safety of the junior.  The adult must wear a high visibility vest,  ride behind the junior, and is not permitted to assist or propel the junior.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• February 21 - Trial Bay Triathlon
• February 27 - Yamba Triathlon
• February 28 - Club Race
• March 5 and 6 - BCU Coffs Tri
• March 20 - Club Race: Long Course
• April 2 - Club Champs Forster
• April 3 - Coffs ocean Swims
• April 10 - Club Race
• May 14th - Presentation night, venue is still a surprise

 
CLUB CHAMPS
Club Champs is Saturday 2 April 2016, at Forster main beach.  I know we all have that weekend in our diary, but now we need to register as either a competitor or volunteer.  The race is 1km Swim / 30km Bike / 8km Run and just so we can get a taste of the slightly longer distance, our local club race will be the those distances the preceding race. 
 
The cost is $125 as a participant and you must be aged 15 as of the 31/12/15. There is a $6 processing fee added at checkout.  Competitors get a hoody.  Register as a competitor here:  Competitors 
 
Volunteers are free and you will need to nominate your preferences as either helping with registration, transition, swim/cycle/run legs or aid station.  Volunteers must be aged 14 as of the 31/12/15 and you will be provided with a t-shirt and hat.  Register as a volunteer here: Volunteers
 
If you want to know about the point system Please click here for more information about the Points System
 
CLUB CHAMPS UPDATE: As of Sundays race we have 73 names down for the Forster Holiday Village which leaves us with 7 spare beds.  Just a reminder the cost is $100 per person, which includes a bed on Friday and Saturday night, plus Pizza, salads, beer, wine soft drink on Saturday evening before we go to the presentation.   There is an expectation that if you choose to stay at the Holiday village, you will be either competing or volunteering.  If there’s a reason why someone you’re bringing can’t volunteer - please email me markgriffiths1964@gmail.com   -  Transfer via direct deposit to Coffs Harbour Triathlon Club BSB 704-328 Account 197693 and it needs to be paid by 29/2/16.  Leave your name as a reference so we know you have paid.

If anyone has any dietary needs for Saturday night could they please let Nicole know ASAP.
 
If you’re not staying at the Holiday Village - I suggest you book your accommodation early as there will be over 1000 competitors racing with lots more volunteers and spectators.  You’re still welcome to join us for pizza etc before the presentation - but you will need to let Nicole know beforehand for catering purposes  with a cost of $25 per head themartins5@optusnet.com.au or nicolemartin0172@gmail.com

Alternatively if you wish to race but want to come down for just the day and get back for the ocean swim on Sunday there will be a bus going down early Saturday morning.  At this stage we have 5 names, so please let Nicole know ASAP so we can organise the bus.  Further details in relation to departures and locations will be finalised once we have definite numbers.

2016 bcu COFFS TRI
Entries are NOW OPEN for this fantastic local event. 
Click here to enter and find out more: http://villagesports.com.au/events/bcu-coffs-tri/
 
Enjoy a beautiful harbour swim, a cycle on CLOSED roads and a run around our picturesque harbour foreshores.
Choose from an Enticer or Olympic distance event. There are also lots of fun races for the kids.
ENTER NOW at www.villagesports.com.au 

bcu Coffs Tri Club Volunteers
We would like to thank all those members who put their hands up to volunteer for the bcu Coffs Tri weekend. We will be down at the next club race to chase up more helpers please. We are after volunteers for the Kids events on Saturday afternoon, the tasks will be marshalling the run & cycle legs, transition, water stop, timing chips collection etc. Volunteers are required also for water safety and will require you to be SLS proficient. 

On Sunday if any members that are not participating we can use you for similar tasks. Also on Sunday we can use the people participating in the Enticer after they have finished for a few light duties during the run leg of the Olympic please.

Without the support of the Coffs Triathlon Club Volunteers we would not be able to conduct the event so thank you all very much. You can also email mick@villagesports.com.au and put your name down for any of the above days.”