Para triathlon words · Intermediate
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I · Intermediate · 24 words · Step 2 of 2General terms
Medal events
Six events: PTWC (the wheelchair classes PTWC1 and PTWC2 together), PTS2, PTS3, PTS4, PTS5, and PTVI (the visual impairment classes PTVI1 to PTVI3 together).
See also: PTWC1 and PTWC2, PTVI1 to PTVI3
Classification (para triathlon)
Every para triathlete competing at a World Triathlon sanctioned event must have an international classification, with a medical diagnostics form signed by a doctor and a passport photo. Where classification is not available at an event, athletes submit medical documents at least eight weeks before to receive a provisional class.
Sport classes
PTWC1 and PTWC2
The wheelchair classes. PTWC1 is for the most impaired wheelchair users and PTWC2 the least impaired. Athletes ride a recumbent handcycle on the bike and use a racing wheelchair on the run.
See also: Racing wheelchair
PTS2 to PTS5
The standing classes for athletes with physical impairments, from PTS2 (severe impairments) to PTS5 (mild impairments). In the bike and run segments amputee athletes may use approved prostheses or other supportive devices.
PTVI1 to PTVI3
The visual impairment classes. PTVI1 is for athletes who are totally blind, from no light perception to some light perception. PTVI2 is for more severely partially sighted athletes and PTVI3 for less severely partially sighted ones. All must have one guide throughout and ride a tandem on the bike.
See also: Guide
Compensation time
When classes start together, a set time is added to the real finishing times of the less impaired classes. At sprint distance, for example, PTWC2 men are given 3:00 and PTWC2 women 3:38 more than PTWC1, and PTVI2 or PTVI3 men 2:51 more than PTVI1. If an athlete is reclassified after observation their time is adjusted.
Interval start system
A staggered start in which athletes in different classes start together or at intervals and compensation times are added to their real finishing times. The Head Referee may switch to a mass start to avoid overlaps or time problems.
Support and assistance
Personal handler
A helper arranged by the athlete. PTS classes may have one if classification allows it, PTWC may have one, and PTVI athletes have none but their guides may act as handler. Handlers may help with prostheses, lifting athletes in and out of handcycles and wheelchairs, removing wetsuits, repairing bikes and racking bikes, but any action that propels the athlete forward may mean disqualification. One handler may assist one athlete and must stay within 2 m of the athlete's transition spot.
Guide
The sighted partner of a PTVI athlete. A guide must be of the same gender and nationality and licensed by the same federation. Each athlete may have one guide, who may not pull or push them. Athlete and guide stay no more than 1.5 m apart in the swim and no more than 0.5 m apart in other segments, and no guide dogs are allowed.
Blackout goggles
All PTVI1 athletes must wear blackout goggles for the whole competition, in the swim and then blackout glasses from transition 1 to the finish. They are checked at registration to make sure light cannot get in.
Swim exit assistants
Local organising committee staff, at least 16, who help para triathletes from the swim exit to the pre-transition area according to cap colour: red caps need lifting to the wetsuit removal area, yellow caps need support to walk or run, and green, orange or white caps need no help.
See also: Pre-transition area
Transition terms
Pre-transition area
A space near the swim exit where PTWC and PTS athletes may take off wetsuits before the transition area. PTWC athletes must transfer to a day chair, with working brakes, to get from there to transition. Athletes with an absent lower limb must use a prosthesis or crutches and may not hop to transition 1.
Transition (para triathlon)
PTVI athletes are placed nearest the mount line, then PTS5 to PTS2, then PTWC. Each PTWC athlete has an individual space of 4 m by 2 m, and may ride the handcycle inside the transition area. Mobility equipment such as extra prosthetic legs is moved between the mount and dismount areas and the athlete is not penalised for not collecting it.
Swim terms
Swim (para triathlon)
The swim start is in the water, with classes presented from PTVI1 to PTWC2 and the wheelchair classes entering the water last. Fins, paddles and floats are banned, and prostheses and orthoses count as propulsion devices, except approved knee braces. In the PTWC classes up to three non-floating leg bindings, at most 10 cm wide, are allowed.
Knee brace (PTWC)
A brace PTWC athletes may use in the swim if it gives no flotation or propulsion: PVC or carbon fibre, no air space, at most 5 mm thick, covering at most half the leg. It must be approved by World Triathlon at least a month before the event.
Bike terms
Handcycle (para triathlon)
A three-wheeled, arm-powered recumbent vehicle used by PTWC athletes, with handgrips instead of pedals and at most 250 cm by 75 cm. The athlete's eyeline must be above the crank housing, a rear-view mirror is required, the feet must be in front of the knees, and adjustments are not allowed during the race.
Equipment adaptation
A change to a bike or handcycle to suit an impairment. Requests must be sent by the national federation at least a month before the event, with an explanation and at least five photos, and approved adaptations go on the approved list.
Mount and dismount stop (PTWC)
PTWC athletes must stop completely at the mount line leaving transition 1 and at the dismount line entering transition 2, and go when the technical official says so. The wheelchair is stopped if the front wheel is before the line; touching or crossing it brings a time penalty.
Run terms
Racing wheelchair
The wheelchair PTWC athletes use for the run: two large wheels (up to 70 cm) and one small wheel (up to 50 cm), a brake on the front wheel, one plain round hand rim for each large wheel, and no gears or levers. Propulsion other than pushing the wheels or rims means disqualification. A PTWC athlete is judged to finish when the centre of the leading wheel's axle reaches the finish line's vertical plane.
Prosthesis (run)
PTS athletes with a lower limb deficiency may use a prosthesis on that limb only, to balance both legs and give symmetrical movement, if approved at classification. Running blades are allowed only if mounted on a prosthesis.
Racing terms
Time limit (para triathlon)
At the Paralympic Games, the World Triathlon Para Championships and the Para Series and Para Cups, which are sprint distance, there is a time limit of two hours.
Course gradients
No bike course may have a gradient over 12% at its steepest point, and no run course may have a gradient over 5%.
Wave start (para triathlon)
Para triathletes may start all together or in waves, with athletes of the same class and gender in the same wave. In a duathlon at least two waves are used with at least a minute between them, the PTWC athletes starting first.