TRI NZ JUNIOR SERIES

Meaningful race experiences is one of the priorities of our Junior Development strategy we want to ensure long lasting impactful racing opportunities for our Rangitahi across the country. In order to achieve this we are working towards a streamlined approach that ensures race depth across those events, and working alongside trusted event providers to deliver skilful race situations/distances that challenge athletes in a variety of ways.

Junior Race Opportunities 2026/27

Please note:

• Athletes must participate in a minimum of 2 Jr Series races to be included in the rankings.
• Birthday will be taken from the 31st December 2027. If you turn 16 during 2027 you will race in the U17 category. If you turn 19 during 2027 you will race in the U20 category.

NORTH ISLAND

Tinman Triathlon

Run in conjunction with the World Triathlon World Cup event, this event promises to open the season with a BANG!!

U17 Athletes: SHORT Triathlon: 300swim/13km draft legal bike/3km run

U20 Athletes: SPRINT Triathlon: 750swim/20km draft legal bike/5km run

Future ChampioNZ

After and amazing return from hiatus FC26 is back with a whole new line up of events (along with some fan favourites). This multidisciplined race held over 3 days ensures that athletes are challenged in a variety of ways….and there is no hiding!!!

U17 and U20 athletes will have their own categories and race distances (more info to follow)

RATS Blue Lake Multisport Festival 

The 40th Anniversary of this iconic event promises fast and frenetic racing across 2 days. Including a Reverse Aquathlon (Run->Swim), Open Water Swim and Triathlon athletes will get their racing fix! 

U17 Athletes: You must enter the SHORT COURSE series of events…

Reverse Aquathlon: 2km run/400m swim

Open Water Swim: 750m

Taster Triathlon: 400m swim/8km bike/3km run

U20 Athletes: You must enter the Prince/Princess of the Lake SERIES

Reverse Aquathlon: 5.5km run/800m swim

Open Water Swim: 2000m

Taster Triathlon: 400m swim/16km bike/5.5km run

SOUTH ISLAND

Waitomo Triathlon Festival

Since 2010, the Waitomo Triathlon Festival has been bringing together athletes of all levels in a fun, safe, and vibrant environment. Whether you’re chasing a PB or simply crossing the finish line for the first time, this is the event for you.

U17 Athletes: SHORT Triathlon: 300m swim/10km bike/3.8km run

U20 Athletes: SHORT Triathlon: 300m swim/10km bike/3.8km run

Timaru Triathlon Festival

A new event on the calendar promises to be one not to miss. A multi-discipline race utilising the amazing facilities in and around Timaru – the festival aims to bring athletes together throughout the weekend for a mix of racing and educational sessions in conjunction with the Canterbury Tri Club.

U17 and U20 Athletes will race their own events across the weekend. More details to come.

RANKING SYSTEMS

In order to achieve a RANK within the series athletes must compete in a minimum of 2 events across the series (either island is fine). Athletes finishing position will produce their ‘score’ (ie: Joanna places 2nd for 2 points, and 4th for 4 points in her 2 races….she finishes with a total of 6 points for the series). Athletes are aiming to achieve the lowest score total across their events.

In the event of a tie the total time of the athletes in the Triathlon race only (if a multi discipline event) will be compared and the lowest average time  as a % compared to the winner of that event will determine ‘best tie’.

For example: If John and Ben are both tied on 8 points across the series we look at their races in 2 of the Triathlon Race only at their common events.

John:

Tinman: 35:36 time - winning time 34:25 = 3.24%

Future ChampioNZ: 27.18 – winning time 27.01 = 0.63%

Johns Average % gap = 3.24+0.63 over 2 events = 1.935%

Ben:

Tinman: 35.31 time – winning time 34.25 = 3.09%

Future ChampioNZ : 27.27 – winning time 27.01 = 0.96%

Bens Average % gap = 3.09 + 0.96 over 2 events = 2.025%

Therefore John would win the tie.

Athletes will then be ranked based on their home Triathlon Club (North/South Island) to create a pool of athletes that will form a selection for a Development Camp with TriNZ High Performance coaches and athletes across the March->April period.

Selections to create a total of 22 Athletes

North Island : 12 Athletes

U17 athletes: Top 4 Male and Female

U20 athletes: Top 2 Male and Female

South Island: 10 Athletes

U17 athletes: Top 3 Male and Female

U20 athletes: Top 2 Male and Female

This camp will be self-funded in terms of travel and accommodation/food – but staffed and managed by a TriNZ coaching team with access to training facilities. More details will evolve once we have the Oceania Race Calendar finalised as we would like to wrap it around an event with a wider cohort of High Performance athletes.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

U17 and below: National Schools Championships: Nelson – March 2027

U20: Oceania Junior Elite Championships – Details TBC as we go to print