Challenge Confirm 20 metre No Drafting Rule For The Championship 2018

Following confusion and growing unrest amongst the triathlon community regarding fairness at major events, CHALLENGEFAMILY has announced today that the popular 20 metre no drafting rule will be implemented at THECHAMPIONSHIP 2018.

Due to take place in Samorin, Slovakia at the x-bionic® sphere next June, THECHAMPIONSHIP 2018 will be the second iteration of the middle-distance competition, following the success of the inaugural event earlier this year.

So what is the 20 metre no drafting rule? In order to negate any aerodynamic advantages a rider might achieve from following behind a fellow competitor, athletes will be asked to move out of any draft shorter than 20 metres when preparing to pass alongside.

Zibi Szlufcik, CEO of CHALLENGEFAMILY, says of the execution of the rule: “Following the success of THECHAMPIONSHIP 2017, many athletes commented extremely positively on the introduction of the 20 metre no drafting rule in the bike leg, and how it maintained a standard for fair racing. We will, therefore, be bringing it back for THECHAMPIONSHIP 2018, and we hope this encourages, even more, triathletes to take part in CHALLENGEFAMILY races in order to qualify.”

To help administer the rule, signs and markers will be placed along the course, to help guide athletes and estimate the 20-metre rule effectively. More drafting officials will be present on the course and each rider will have 40 seconds in which to pass another competitor.

The 20 metre no drafting rule has been enforced to ensure THECHAMPIONSHIP 2018 continues to be one of the fairest races in the calendar, for pro athletes and age-groupers alike. Competitors have a further 10 races in which to qualify for the event in Samorin, with CHALLENGEFLORIANOPOLIS the next in the series, taking place on 3rd December, in Santa Catarina, Brazil.

THECHAMPIONSHIP 2017 champion Lionel Sanders (CA) says of the rule: “This year’s race was phenomenal, and I think the introduction of the 20 metre no drafting rule certainly contributed to this. More races worldwide should implement this as standard.”

Along with the spectacular venue of the x-bionic® sphere, and a prize purse of €150,000 to be divided fairly between male and female athletes, CHALLENGEFAMILY hopes to attract an exciting line-up of professionals to the starting line.