FAQ's

General

1. What is a Contact 1:2:1?
2. What is a Contact 3:9:3?
3. What is the Contact Trophy?
4. What is the Contact Cup?
5. How do I become eligible for a National Championships medal?

Entering and Registration

1. When is the cut off date for entries?
2. What does it cost to enter; including information on late fees?
3. What is the multiple race discount?
4. Why am I in the 30-34 age-group when I am only 29?
5. Do you have to have three people to compete as a team?
6. Is there prize-money?
7. What is the age criteria?
8. What is the refund policy? 
9. What is the transfer policy?
10. If I can't make the registration time can someone register for me?
11. Who gets an event tee shirt?
12. What time can I rack my bike in transition?
13. What are the terms and conditions of entry including waitlist information?

Post Event

1. My time is wrong on the results, what can I do?
2. Who do I contact for lost property?

Equipment

1. Do I have to wear the swim cap provided?
2. Do I have to wear a wetsuit?
3. Do I have to wear a helmet?
4. Can I use a mountain-bike?
5. Where do I wear my race number?
6. Will there be help available if I have a flat tyre or broken chain?

Race Rules

1. Are the roads closed?
2. Am I allowed to walk on the run?
3. What is drafting?  Am I allowed to do it?

General

1. What is a Contact 1:2:1?
   The Contact 1:2:1 is an event for kids aged 7-11 covering the following distances; 100m swim, 2km cycle, 1km run.  This event is held at all 7 of the Contact Tri Series locations. 
2. What is a Contact 3:9:3?
   The Contact 3:9:3 is an event for everyone.  As long as you are 11 or older you can take part in this event, as an individual or in a team, which covers the following distances; 300m swim, 9km cycle, 3km run.  This event is held at all 7 of the Contact Tri Series locations.
3. What is the Contact Trophy?
   The Contact Trophy events are for those; that have had a taste of triathlon and are ready to take on a new challange of a longer distance; or serious age-group triathletes wanting to qualify for World Championship events and compete at National Championship events.  Contact Trophy events are over two distances; sprint (750m swim/20km cycle/5km run) or standard (1,500m swim/40km cycle/10km run) and you can take part as an individual or a team.
4. What is the Contact Cup? 
   The Contact Cup is for elite and up and coming junior athletes who want competitive races against athletes of similar ability.  All Contact Cup events are draft legal and lapped out rules apply at certain events.  Contact Cup races are; Wanaka; Kinloch; Takapuna; and Wellington.
5. How do I become eligible for a National Championships medal?
   To be eligible for a National Championships medal you must be a member of Triathlon New Zealand prior to the start of the race.

Entering and Registration

1. When is the cut off date for entries?
       Online entry closes at 5pm two days before the event unless fields fill prior to this date, see cut off dates below:

 
You can also enter at registration in person the day before the race either with cash or credit card

2.  What does it cost to enter?

The entry fee is dependent on the time of entry.  See the entry fee structure below:

3. What is the multiple race discount?
Until September 30, the more races you enter at the same time, the more you save:
    2 Races - 5% off
    3 Races - 10% off
    4 Races - 15% off
    5 Races - 20% off
    6 Races - 25% off
    7 Races - get 25% off and get the 7th race free! 

4. Why am I in the 30-34 age-group when I am only 29?
Triathlon age-groups are taken as of 31 December in the year of the event.  As the Contact    Tri Series is a 'Series' the date that is used is 31 December in the year of the majority of events.

5. Do you have to have three people to compete as a team?
Teams can be made up of either two or three people.

6. Is there prize-money?
Prize-money is paid at all events, read more.

7. What is the age criteria?

8. What is the refund policy?
There are no refunds under any circumstances. See the terms and conditions of entry.

9. What is the transfer policy?
If you have entered an event and are no longer able to participate you may transfer your entry into another Contact Tri Series event within the same season.  This process will incur a $20 administration fee.  See the terms and conditions of entry.

10. If I can't make the registration time can someone register for me?
It is recommended that you, the athlete, collect your registration pack; however if you cannot make it during the set registration time a friend or family member may collect it for you.

11. Who gets an event tee shirt?
All participants in the individual trophy and cup events are given an event tee shirt.  Participants only receive event tee shirts at their first event of the season.

12. What time can I rack my bike in transition?
In most cases you are allowed to rack your bike in transition about an hour before each event however this differs between events.  You will receive participant notes before each event which will explain racking times.

13. What are the terms and conditions of entry including waitlist information?
Please click here to see the terms and conditions

Post Event

1. My time is wrong on the results, what can I do?
   
   Email triseries@triathlon.org.nz with the following details; name; race number; event entered; the error.
2. Who do I contact for lost property?
   
   Email triseries@triathlon.org.nz with the following details; 'Lost Property' in the subject line; name; race number; missing item.

Equipment

1. Do I have to wear the swim cap provided?
   Swim caps are compulsory and you must wear the swim cap provided in your race pack.
2. Do I have to wear a wetsuit?
   Wetsuits are only required if the temperature falls below 14ºC as per the Triathlon New Zealand Rules.  An announcement will be made at the race by the Race Referee as to whether wetsuits will be compulsory or not.  Please note that wetsuits are not compulsory for the Contact 1:2:1 nor the Contact 3:9:3.
3. Do I have to wear a helmet? 
    A helmet is compulsory, no exceptions.  Your helmet must fit you properly; it will be checked on entry into transition. 
4. Can I use a mountain-bike?
   Mountain-Bikes are allowed in all events except for Contact Cup races.
5. Where do I wear my race number?
   Individuals are given three race numbers; one to pin on the front of your shirt or wear on your race belt; one to place on the front of your helmet; and one to put on the seat post of your bike.  Teams will receive one each of these numbers; one for each team member.  Race numbers must be worn at all times, with the only exception being the Contact Cup and U19 events at Oceania Championships. 
6. Will there be help available if I have a flat tyre or broken chain?
   You are not allowed assistance during a triathlon, with the exception of medical assistance.  There will be a vehicle on the road to collect those that have to pull out of races.

Race Rules

1. Are the roads closed?
   A road is never closed.  There are no road closures for any of our events, therefore you will be sharing the road with other users and normal road rules apply.  All roads are open to traffic.  It is important that participants keep vigilant throughout the entire event, cycle safely, and abide with all New Zealand Road Rules.
2. Am I allowed to walk on the run?
   Absolutely!
3. What is drafting?  Am I allowed to do it?
   Drafting means to is cycle in the slipstream of another cyclist thus gaining advantage.  Only competitors in the Contact Cup are allowed to legally draft.  Contact Trophy and Contact 3:9:3 events are non-drafting with the exception of Wanaka and Takapuna which are draft legal due to the nature of the courses.