The selection policy for the 2015 World Duathlon Championships is available at Triathlon Australia's website. In short, there are two types of ways you can make the teams based on race performance - "automatic qualification" or "non-automatic qualification", as explained below.
Automatic Qualification based on National Qualifying Races:
- "Win the State Duathlon Championship" either sprint distance or standard distance in your home state, and compete and finish a National Qualifying Race; or
- "Place" in the top three in the sprint distance or the standard distance event at the Australian Duathlon Championships in Adelaide on the 19th October 2014 - you'll need to race in the event distance that you intend to nominate in for the World Champs; or
- Top 3 accumulation of points from up to three (3) results from National Qualifying Races.
Non-Automatic Qualification:
- Accumulate sufficient points from up to three of the National Qualifying Races to place you in the top 25 point scorers (including automatic qualifiers) in your age group and nominated distance.
Each of the sprint and standard distance teams may include up to 25 athletes. However, a number of places in each team will be automatically allocated to athletes who meet the automatic selection criteria - which could, in theory, be about half of 25 places available on each team.
The Qualifying Events
As of today, the first two selection events have already be conducted. The remaining events are:
- 10 August 2014: Queensland Duathlon
- 24 August 2014, Capital Winterfest
- 14 September 2014: Melbourne Duathlon Series
- 5 October 2014: City of Armadale Duathlon
- 19 October 2014: Adelaide Duathlon
- 2 November 2014: Tasmanian Duathlon
Of course, the State Championship events in your home State are also "potential"qualifying events if they are different events to the above.
If Things Get Interesting
There are a few points about the policy which are a little unclear if things get interesting - which they might this year with a large number of athletes likely to be vying for selection.
Automatic Spot Availability
Since one-day licence competitors can compete in the selection events, there is a potential that all of the automatic spots available at State Champs and Australian Duathlon Champs may not be available to annual members of TA - since the eligibility results may be achieved by a one-day race licence holder. It is unclear whether "win the State Championships"means win the event (which a one day licence holder could do), or be awarded the State Championship title available to annual members. A one day licence holder could place in the Australian Duathlon Champs, but not be eligible to use a race as a selection.
Also, since the Australian Duathlon Championships is worth double points - it is possible that a top 3 result at that event will also result in a top 3 accumulation of points overall - which could mean that some or all of the automatic spots available via the "Top 3 accumulation of points from up to three (3) results from National Qualifying Races" criteria are utilised by the same athlete(s). But, this is not clear from the selection document.
Win State Sprint Champs but Nominate for Standard Distance Worlds Team?
It appears that since standard distance and sprint distance events are not being offered in each State, a state sprint champ could nominate for standard distance, and vice versa, provided that they then competed in and finished their nominated distance at another National Qualifying race to validate their nomination).
Points awarded for an event do not roll down - they are based on your finishing position. So, say you finish 10th in an event, you will be awarded points for 10th place, even if athletes finishing ahead of you were not annual members of Triathlon Australia, and therefore not eligible for selection for other reasons. This means, for example, if an athlete with a one-day race membership finishes ahead of you, they will still effect the points awarded to you.
Other Requirements
The above requirements are only the result related requirements. In order to be eligible for selection you also need to satisfy membership due dates and and due dates associated with lodging an "Expression of Interest"for team selection. These are explained in the selection policy.
Best Chance to Qualify
Your best chance to qualify is to pick the races that best suit you - and prepare yourself for the rigours of that event(s) in a way that exceeds the demands of the race. Based on the numbers, the best combination of potential point scoring events is the Australian Championships and two other qualifying events - since that combination would effectively count as the equivalent of four point scoring events. But, a good result at the Australian Championships and one other selection event might be enough. An exceptional performance at your home State Championship should be enough (potentially depending on clarification of the one day membership point).
Good luck!
Steve