Just over a month to go and then we will see our first Championship event of 2015. ETU will see its first medals presented to Elite, Para and Age Group athletes. The format will be the favoured and traditional Run. Bike, Ski course but at this event the organisers are recommending that you bring road bikes. This is a departure from the normal rules of competition and a rule exemption has been applied for to the ITU Technical Committee. Road bikes are recommended as the cycle course is a climb from T1 to T2 and uses a good quality road. This is a tried and tested course in Spain and has been popular for over 20 years.
Are you a Winter Triathlete ? Are you planning to go to Spain at the end of January ? Well, you need to apply through your federation in the normal manner.
Where is Reinosa ?
Getting to Spain is easy and once there, getting to Reinosa is easy too !
Once there you may need somewhere to stay. The LOC recommends the following hotels.
All racing takes place on the Saturday 31st and all the briefings take place on the Friday 30th. Skiis can be handed in on the Friday all day.
The location for the Athlete Briefing is central to the town and easily accessible from both the event hotel and from T1.
The start of the race takes place in the main square. The run is three-laps of 3.3km and out on the run course a drinks station is available for each lap. Water will be provided on this drinks station.
The run course is not entirely flat.
Into T1 and after collecting their bike the athlete will start the climb towards T2. This is a 24km ride with a climb of some 800m The course is on roads with good quality asphalt. It is for this reason that the LOC recommend road bikes. There will be aid stations at 8km and 20km.
When you get to T2 this is where you will see a big difference. The LOC have agreed to provide an “Ironman-style” T2. Upon arrival in T2 your bike will be taken from you by one of the handlers. They will rack the bike in a secure area until your race is complete. You will proceed to a changing area before collecting your skis and before you start the final section of the race.
Please remember – you must not wear your helmet on the ski segment unless there is a specific direction from the Technical Delegate. Your bike helmet must be placed in your allocated position in T2 with any other equipment you do not need for the ski segment.
The exact course will be published soon.
Please take some time to familiarise yourself with the most recently published competition rules. The ETU Triathlon European Championships will be run under the most recently-published ITU Competition Rules. You can find those rules at this following link:- http://www.triathlon.org/about/downloads/category/competition_rules
Are you thinking about racing?
Well, have a look at this short video. It takes you from the set up in transition, out onto the run, into T1, up, up and up the bike course and then out onto the ski course. http://triatlonblancodereinosa.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/video-ediccion-2014.html