DRAFTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AT BUSSELTON HALF IRONMAN TRIATHLON!!
The Busselton Half Ironman Triathlon has a reputation for being one of the cleanest long course races in Australia. Make sure you know the rules regarding drafting and blocking to be sure you don't run afoul of the TO's on the day. A document regarding the drafting and blocking rules can be found here.

TRIATHLON AUSTRALIA - RACE COMPETITION RULES
Triathlon Australia rules will be applied to all events. Additional rules will apply to this event, which are listed below. Please refer to these rules and the Triathlon Australia Handbook if in any doubt on any aspect of the events.

HELMETS
The following ruling will be enforced at the events:

• The helmet must be approved by a national accredited testing authority recognised by a national federation that is an affiliate of the International Triathlon Union.
• An alteration to any part of the helmet including the chin strap, or the omission of any part of the helmet, including an outer cloth cover, is prohibited
• Helmet inspections will occur at the events. Take the time to inspect your helmet for any cracks or missing pieces, which compromises its integrity. This includes helmets missing its external mesh cover if applicable

WETSUITS
Wetsuits are permitted where the water temperature is 24 degrees C or below, or in conditions (ambient air, tidal etc) where the appointed Technical Delegate (TD) determines wetsuit use is appropriate for the race field. Busselton is expected to have temperatures of around 20C. Pack your wetsuits in the likelihood of being approved.

ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT - SWIM - RULES
Any artificial propulsion device, eg. fins, sock, glove, paddle, or flotation device except a wet suit, is prohibited. The wearing of wetsuit pants of any length without a wetsuit top is prohibited. Snorkels are not allowed.

DRAFTING/BLOCKING RULING
For both the Busselton Half Ironman Triathlon and Sprint Triathlon, no drafting or blocking is permitted.

• Drafting is when you get too close to the person in front on the bike. You must stay 7 metres (4 bike lengths) behind the competitor in front of you. If you want to overtake someone, you have 15 seconds to do so and you must be GAINING on the person in front at all times during that 15 seconds. The correct way to pass is to stay to the left, ride up behind the person in front, then when you are close enough, go around them (checking behind you first) and once you have passed them immediately move back to the left of the road. If you get passed, you must IMMEDIATELY drop back 7 metres so you are out of the draft zone. You MAY NOT speed up once someone's wheel has gone past yours to catch up to them again. You must drop out of the draft zone first before you attempt to overtake them. Remember - DRAFTING IS CHEATING.
• Blocking is where you position yourself to the right of the roadway (lane) and fail to make forward progress on those either beside you, in front or behind. You must ensure keeping left where not overtaking.
• The event will include the Penalty Box, which will act as a penalty for those found offending. The penalty will be 5 minutes. If you are observed (judged) to be drafting or blocking by a technical official, you will be informed by the technical official sounding a whistle or a horn, calling out your competitor number and showing a yellow card. The technical official will inform you of the nature of the violation (drafting or blocking) and tell you to proceed to the Penalty Box to serve a time penalty. It is then your responsibility to report to the Penalty Box at the first instance you reach it. There you will dismount your bicycle, report to the technical official running the penalty box and stand with your equipment for the 5 minute penalty.
• Failing to report to the Penalty Box will result in a disqualification, as will failing to report on the correct lap of the event (ie. you cannot report in at the end of lap 3 if identified on lap 1).
  If you are caught twice either for drafting, or blocking, or one of each, you will automatically be disqualified.
• The Race Referee will advise competitors during the event briefing of the process involved.

TRANSITION AREA
Competitors equipment must be kept tidy and not impede the progress of others. Competitor's bags must be removed from the transition area before the start of the race. We recommend that unnecessary equipment (clothing etc) is left with family and friends or placed in a car where it can be easily retrieved at the end of the race. The transition will be closed until 3.30pm, so please ensure that anything needed after the race is not in transition.

BIKE CHECK-IN
Bikes will be checked for end plugs on handle bars, at least one water bidon cage and tyres in reasonable condition. The safe working order of your bicycle is your responsibility. There must be a safely operational brake on each wheel. If your bike does not pass inspection you will not be permitted to start.

GENERAL RULES

• Don't throw anything (goggles, sunglasses, wetsuit, etc) onto the course - you must place all your gear with your bike in transition.
• Your helmet must be done up BEFORE you remove your bike from the rack and kept done up until you replace your bike on the rack. You will be stopped if you do not obey this rule.
• No riding in the transition area - you must mount and dismount your bike at the marked zones.
  You may not receive outside assistance of any kind from anyone during the race.
• It is illegal:
  • to overtake a competitor on the Left Hand Side
  • to cross the white line (riding on the wrong side of the road).
• These offences incur reports by technical officials to the Race Referee with a likely disqualification.
• No headsets or glass containers are permitted on the cycle or run course.
• You must have your torso covered on both the cycle and run - either with bathers, or a singlet or t-shirt.
• Competitors must behave in a manner that is safe, fair and demonstrates good sports conduct before, during and after the race. Bad sports conduct by athletes towards officials/event staff, other competitors or spectators will attract serious consideration by the Race Referee and could result in a disqualification. Please maintain a professional manner, enjoy the race and ensure everyone else enjoys the race too. Volunteers either running this event or ensuring safety and equitable competition do not enjoy unreasonable behaviour or abuse.

TEAM COMPETITORS
Team competitors must use the timing band allocated as the baton change-over between legs. For the swim-bike transition, cyclists must remain at the cycle rack to receive the timing band from the swimmer before removing their bike from the rack. Similarly, the runner must remain at the cycle rack and wait for the cyclist to rack the bicycle before passing the timing band on. Teams that do not finish the event with the timing band (on the runner) will be excluded from the results and ineligible for awards.

TIMING
The timing system involves the use of a transponder electronic chip attached to a velcro ankle band. You will receive this at Registration on Saturday morning. THE BAND MUST NOT BE REMOVED DURING THE ENTIRE RACE (OTHER THAN BY TEAMS WHO ARE TO USE IT AS A RELAY BATON). Officials will remove your band after you cross the finish line. You will be disqualified if you are found to have deliberately removed the band during the race. PLEASE REMEMBER - the velcro timing band must remain fastened to your person at all times until you cross the finish line.