Elite Athlete Information

When applying for, or renewing TriBC membership, athletes have the option of declaring their provincial “Elite” standing. While the decision to make this declaration is up to the athlete, TriBC will review the basis for the declaration before issuing a provincial “Elite” card. An athlete must hold an elite or junior elite card to race in any elite heats at BC race series events, BC Provincial Championship events, national events, or international events. However, athletes who hold an elite card have the option to race either elite or age group. To qualify for funding to national and international competitions and for the Provincial Series points, athletes must hold an “Elite” card and race in the elite category. Junior athletes (aged 16-19) who wish to declare themselves “Elite” may also do so. Note Elite application/requests are processed at the beginning of the season only, prior to the start of any racing events, and at latest, March 31st of any given year.

All Elite athletes must submit a photocopy of their BC Care Card to prove residency together with each application.

Rationale

The reasons for establishing an Elite category include encouraging athletes to compete at a higher level of competition in the Province and to use the experience of racing as an elite in the province of BC as a stepping stone to compete as an Elite at National and International races. The declaration of this Elite status is solely the decision of the athlete.

It should be noted that declaring as an Elite within the province still allows an athlete to compete at National or International races as an Age Group athlete, if they so desire.

Funding/Criteria Issues

In order to be eligible for certain funding, prize purses, or eligibility for certain events in BC, an athlete must hold a valid “Elite” card. Any “Elite” carded athlete who chooses to race in an Age Group category when the option to race as an elite exists will be re-classified as an Age Group member of Triathlon BC (see race exemptions below).

Please note that declaring your “Elite” or “Junior Elite” standing does not automatically qualify you for funding from Triathlon BC. “Elite” and “Junior Elite” athletes must meet the criteria set out elsewhere to qualify for funding to national and international competitions.

Elite Criteria

To be granted a Triathlon BC Elite Card, athletes must be in good standing with Triathlon BC. In addition,
athletes must meet two (2) or more of the following criteria:

Currently hold a Triathlon Canada Elite card;
Have held a Triathlon Canada Elite card in the past three years;
Top 10 overall in his/her gender as an Elite at the Canadian National Short Course Triathlon or Long Distance Championships held in the previous year of competition;
Top 5 overall in his/her gender as an Elite at the Canadian National Duathlon Championships held in the
previous year of competition.
Finish in the top 5 overall in his/her gender at the BC Provincial Short Course Triathlon or Long Distance Triathlon Championships in the previous year of competition;
Top 25 overall in his/her gender at Ironman Canada in the previous year of competition;
Top 5 overall in his/her gender in the previous year of competition at any three (3) sanctioned Olympic Distance triathlons;
Elites seeking funding assistance must provide proof of residency by attaching a copy of their BC Care Card.

To view the full Elite Carding Criteria, please click HERE.

Junior Elite CARDING Criteria (16-19 years)

Similar to Elite athletes, Junior athletes requesting Junior Elite Cards must:

Be current members in good standing with Triathlon BC
Submit a photocopy of their BC CAre Card to prove residency.

Junior Elite athletes must provide results confirming at least two (2) of the following (gender specific):

Finish in the top 10 in the Canadian Junior National Championships.
Finish in the top 10 in the Canadian National Junior Race Series.
Finish in the top 10 in a Canadian National Junior Race Series event.
Finish in the top 5 in the previous year’s BC Team selection process.

Race results must be from the previous race season, or if extenuating circumstances can be proven, results
from two years previous may be considered. Should an athlete not be able to provide results as listed above, they may also be eligible for Junior Elite carding if they meet a time standard from a sanctioned sprint distance triathlon of:

Male Athletes < 65 minutes to complete a sanctioned Sprint Distance Triathlon
Female Athletes < 75 minutes to complete a sanctioned Sprint Distance Triathlon

Further, athletes requesting Junior Elite status must also undergo drafting evaluation by a named representative from the National Training Centre (NTC), Victoria's Regional Training Centre (RTC) or Vancouver's Provincial Training Centre (PTC).

Hopeful Junior Elite athletes are strongly encourage to participate in NTC/RTC/PTC Development Camps whenever offered.

To arrange a drafting evaluation, please contact the NTC/RTC/PTC staff listed below.

Mark Bates, PTC Vancouver: mark@321coaching.com or (604) 604-787-2715
Patrick Kelly, NTC/RTC Victoria: p.kelly@shaw.ca or via telephone at (604) 812-4602

To view the full Junior Elite Carding Criteria, please click HERE.

Maintaining Elite Status

Athletes who currently hold an “Elite” or “Junior Elite” card will be re-evaluated against the above criteria at the start of each season. If an athlete has not maintained this criteria, then they may not be issued an Elite card depending on the circumstances (ie, sidelined with an injury, sat out an entire season, etc.). An athlete who has previously raced Junior Elite, can maintain an Elite card when they turn 20 years of age. Those who are maintaining their Elite card may be asked to submit documentation to ensure that they still meet the elite standards.

National Elite Card

Please note that to race outside of Canada as an Elite/Pro athletes should request an Elite Development Card from Triathlon Canada. Please contact Triathlon Canada further information on National Development and Elite carding.

For further information, please contact Triathlon BC by emailing us at: info@tribc.org

About Triathlon BC

Triathlon BC is a not-for-profit, provincial governing body devoted to the promotion of the sports of Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquathon and Winter Triathlon for all skill levels and age groups.

The Sport

The sport of Triathlon is comprised of events that include swimming, cycling and running components.

Vision and Mission Statement

The Vision of Triathlon BC is to have a vibrant membership that enjoys a positive, healthy lifestyle; Triathlon BC will provide guidance and resources to members, coaches, race directors and other members to promote and develop the sport, representing the membership provincially, nationally and internationally.