Lofoten Triathlon // Olympic+ Race Manual

WELCOME!

In the unique surroundings of the Lofoten Islands we are offering you the opportunity to do an amazing race – Lofoten Triathlon!

This Race Manual is for the Olympic+ distance – 1500m swim, 45 km bike ride and 12 km run.

At Lofoten Triathlon the organizers will do ALL SUPPORT. No external support is accepted. We would like anyone to be able to come to Lofoten without having to get his or her own support crew and support car. You save money and work and we all save the environment.

Before you register for The Arctic Triple – Lofoten Triathlon you MUST read the Race Manual thoroughly. It is crucial that you are aware of what the race will require both for preparations and throughout the race. Be prepared. Case closed.

Enjoy the read and look forward to a mind moving experience with The Arctic Triple Lofoten Triathlon Olympic+!

THE ARCTIC TRIPLE – BACK TO NATURE!

The Arctic Triple event series has a strong focus on the environment. We want to do everything we can to make the most environmentally friendly races in the world – and having hundreds of support cars on the roads does not sound right. That way the roads are less crowded and safer for the athletes and crew.

The route for Lofoten Triathlon will have removable little flags marking the track so that the experience is as natural and untouched as possible, both during the race and after. We also actively try not to produce any unnecessary items that most likely will end up as trash or in the back of a closet.

We are lucky to be able to do The Arctic Triple in the amazing and wild nature of the Lofoten islands, and for this to continue we need to take care. It is under no circumstances allowed to throw any trash along the track. There will be trash buckets on the service points – throw trash there and nowhere else.

Note! If athletes are seen throwing trash on the track this will lead to to penalties or even disqualification.

Leave nothing but a “Thank you!” behind.

SUMMARY

• Register at thearctictriple.com

• Age limit 18 years

• No external support is allowed during the race – you can only be supported by the Lofoten Triathlon Crew

• Prerace brief Saturday morning – not mandatory but strongly recommended!

• The cut off times are as follows:

  • Swim – 75 minutes

  • Bike – 4,5 hours after start

  • Maximum time to complete the race is set to 6,5 hours

• Swim start Olympic+ at 1000 (local time) in Svolvær harbor

• All finishers will be awarded a finisher shirt

Please check www.thearctictriple.com for updated info. We also recommend you to follow us on facebook, twitter and Instagram.

DO THE WHOLE TRIPLE?

Many are eager to do all three races – to get an official result you must complete them all in 12 months:

GOLD – Lofoten Skimo 4000+, Lofoten Ultra-Trail 100 Miles and Lofoten Triathlon Extreme
SILVER – Lofoten Skimo 4000+, Lofoten Ultra-Trail 50 Miles and Lofoten Triathlon Extreme
BRONZE – Lofoten Skimo 1000+, Lofoten Ultra-Trail 24KM and Lofoten Triathlon Olympic+

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The track will be marked, but all athletes are responsible to know the track. It’s not complicated – we don’t have that many crossroads..

See course map here.

Start – T1 – T2 – Finish

Having the starting line, T1, T2 and the finish line centered around and on the town square in Svolvær makes Lofoten Triathlon both audience friendly and gives a good logistic concept.

SWIM LEG

1500M. Water start. The swim leg makes one triangle in Svolvær harbor.

BIKE LEG

45 km. Start from Svolvær city square. Follow E10 north east towards Laupstad. At Laupstad you take a 180 degree u-turn onto the bike lane, back and under E10 to the food station at Laukvik Skole.

From Laukvik Skole you follow E10 the same way back to Svolvær and T2.

RUN LEG

12 km. Start from Svolvær town square and runs in a big circle that runs over the city mountain Tjeldbergtinden (367 meters above sea level) before heading back to the finish line at the town square. About 5 km on tarmac and the rest in terrain or on trails.

GPS FILES

The GPS files for The Arctic Triple Lofoten Triathlon can be downloaded at www.thearctictriple.com.

CUT OFF TIMES

SWIM LEG

Cut off after 75 minutes. Swimmers that are still in the water will be picked up and are not allowed to finish the race.

BIKE LEG

Cut off time 4,5 hours after start.

RUN LEG

The maximum time for The Arctic Triple Lofoten Triathlon Olympic+ is set to 6,5 hours.

RULES

GENERAL RULES

Lofoten Triathlon general rules are based on the rules and regulations of the International Triathlon Union (ITU).

AGE

All athletes must be over 16 years of age.

IDENTITY/LICENSE

All athletes must present a valid photo ID (passport or drivers license). Norwegians must have a valid triathlon license to compete, issued by their national triathlon federation at registration.

TIME CHIP

The time chip must be worn during the whole race. If the chip is lost it is the athlete’s responsibility to contact the Lofoten Triathlon Crew to get a new chip.

Note! The time chip must be worn on your right leg pointing outwards.

GPS TRACKER

The GPS tracker must be worn at the bike leg and the run leg. NOT on the swim leg. Remember to put it on in T1! The tracker is an important safety device for the organizers, but also fun for both supporters and the audience in general to follow the athletes online during the race.

RULES IN START/T1/T2/FINISH

All athletes must keep their gear within their given area in T1/T2. If the gear is left outside the box this may lead to time penalties.

RULES ON THE SWIM LEG

Full wetsuit is mandatory. Neoprene swim cap, west and neoprene socks are optional, but recommended as the water can be quite cold. Gloves are not permitted at the swim leg.

Note! All athletes are responsible to check in with the responsible crew before entering the water.

RULES ON THE BIKE LEG

The race number must be visible from the back at all times.

Do not get on the bike until you are out of T1 (passed the mount line) and have strapped on your helmet.

On return to T2 – get off the bike BEFORE you enter the dismount line.

The bike course is open to regular traffic. Road traffic regulations must be strictly observed at all times.

The following will lead to time penalties and/or disqualification:

• Violating traffic regulations

• Use of headphones, headsets or mobile phones while on the bike

• Pacing on the bike leg, either by car or bike

• Drafting off another athlete or motor vehicle. Minimum distance between each athlete is 10 meters, measured from back wheel to front wheel.

The bike must be in good working order. All bikes must have working lights, both front and rear. Helmets must be approved by a national accredited testing authority, or have the CE stamp.

There will not be any technical support on the bike leg and each athlete have to be self-provided regarding technical issues. However, each service station will have a bike pump and basic umbraco kit.

RULES AT THE RUN LEG

The following will lead to time penalties and/or disqualification:

• Violating traffic regulations

• Use of headphones

MEDICAL

Medical Crew from Lofoten Triathlon may remove a competitor from the race should there be a health or injury risk to the competitor at any time during the race. The use of non-legal performance enhancement supplements or drugs is forbidden. Anti-doping Norway may perform random drug tests of the athletes.

LIABILITY

All athletes will sign the document «Release from Liability» when enrolling for Lofoten Triathlon on www.thearctictriple.com.

WEATHER AND SAFETY

EXPECTED WEATHER CONDITIONS

Due to the temperate waters of the Gulf Stream, Lofoten has a much milder climate than other parts of the world at the same latitude, such as Alaska and Greenland. The coastal climate in Lofoten makes the winters mild and the summers relatively cool. July and August are warmest with an average temperature of 12°C.

Please make notice that the weather in Lofoten can be extremely changeable all year. Even though, good, warm weather is the forecast, wet and brisk intervals may occur. Be prepared!

Water temperature: 13-16 °C
Air Temperature: 12-25 °
Winds: Be prepared for heavy winds!

Note! If the winds are too strong athletes might have to get off the bikes and walk over some of the bridges.

SAFETY

The Arctic Triple – Lofoten Triathlon has a strong focus on safety. The safety crew will be very well prepared for their mission and in close cooperation with local rescue teams.

SWIM

• All athletes must check in to do the swim leg

• Kayaks and rib will follow swimmers

• Signal to kayaks if need for assistance

• Short distance to land at the entire swim leg

BIKE

• No headphones

• Follow traffic rules

• Bike must be in good condition and have lights in back and front

• No drafting!

RUN

• No headphones

• Follow traffic rules on the roads, run on the left side of the road.

• On the terrain leg there will be safety crew present on crucial spots with gear available to keep any athlete warm and safe in case of need for evacuation.

Note! It is an extremely demanding terrain leg –run is highly technical.

RACE SUPPORT

This is a triathlon where the organizers will do ALL SUPPORT. No external support is accepted. We would like anyone to be able to come to Lofoten without having to get your own support crew and support car. You save money and work and we all save the environment and improve the safety of the race.

Note! Receiving support from anyone else but the Lofoten Triathlon Crew will lead to time penalties and/or disqualification.

WE’RE MINIMIZING THE FOOTPRINT!

We want to contribute to less plastic garbage and less waste in general. The pile of used water bottles after a race is a sour sight and there is always lots of sports drink mix that goes down the drain. You may refill your bottles at the stations on the bike leg with water, and add sports drink mix if needed.

SERVICE STATIONS

There will be a food and drink station at Svolvær Torg (start, T1/T2, finish line). In addition, there will be 1 station at Laupstad with food and drink at the bike leg. At the run leg there will be 1 food and drink stations and 1 self-service water stations. Running water in nature are ok to drink.

Content Service Stations

Drink – water and sports drink.
Food – The Arctic Triple bun, chips, nuts and bananas.
Basic medic kit and warm blankets.
Each service station at the bike leg will have a bike pump and umbraco kit.

WITHDRAWAL

If you withdraw from the race at any point, it is mandatory to inform the organizers. Please note that resources are limited so that transport back to Svolvær might take a while. We’ll do our best to make sure you are kept safe and warm during the wait, but please be patient while waiting for transport.

TRAVEL AND STAY

Please find information about travel and stay here