All triathletes that compete internationally in World Triathlon events are included in World Triathlon’s rankings. Different races are given different scores and weightings to determine how athletes should be ranked at any given time of the year.
Breaking down the numbers
Athletes can have a maximum of 12 events to count towards their ranking. These events are split across two windows:
(i) 6 events are taken from the 52 weeks previous to the date of the publication of the rankings list (the current period);
(ii) 6 events are taken from the days between the 53rd and the 104th week previous to the date of publication of the list (the previous period).
The value of the points are affected by whether they were scored in the current period or the previous period.
The value of the points in the current period is the same as those gained in the event. Meanwhile, the value of the points in the previous period is one-third (1/3) of those gained in the event.
The points are structured to reward recent results over those older than one year. On the flip side, athletes are not punished too much should their best results fall in the previous period.
What are races worth?
Races are assigned the following points for a win:
World Triathlon Championship Finals – 1250
Olympic Games – 1000
Olympic Test Event – 1000
World Triathlon Championship Series – 1000
World Triathlon Cup – 500
Arena Games Triathlon Championship Finals – 500
Continental Triathlon Elite Championships – 400
Continental Triathlon Cup – 250
World Triathlon U23 Championships – 250
FISU World Championships – 250
Arena Games Triathlon Championship Series – 250
World Triathlon Junior Championships – 200
Continental Triathlon U23 Championships – 150
Triathlon Regional Championships – 150
Triathlon Development Regional Cup – 125
Continental Triathlon Junior Championships – 100
National Triathlon Championships – 50
What is the Quality of Field Factor?
The Quality of Field factor is an interesting concept that World Triathlon uses at certain events to determine whether additional points should be assigned to events.
It is calculated using the following steps:
(i) The top 400 men and 400 women in the World Triathlon Ranking by December 31st of the previous year is considered;
(ii) For the 2022 season, the World Triathlon Rankings as of December 31st 2019 will be applied due to the inconsistency of racing opportunities in 2020 and 2021;
(iii) Every athlete will be assigned with a value starting with 400 points (1st ranked athlete), 399 points (2nd ranked athlete) and finishing with 1 point (400th ranked athlete);
(iv) The points assigned to the athletes in both genders from the same continent will determine the total points of the continents;
(v) The continent with most points will receive:
● 20% Quality of Field Factor in all of the Continental Triathlon Cups;
● 30% Quality of Field Factor in all the Continental Triathlon Elite/U23/Junior Championships.
(vi) The other continents will receive Quality of Field Factors proportional to 20% or 30%, based on the points of those Continents generated by the top 400 athletes;
(vii) The calculated Quality of Field Factors for each Continents will be rounded up to an integer.
Confused? So are we.
The Top 5 Bonus
The top 5 athletes of each Continental Triathlon Championships (elite standard and elite sprint) will receive additional points for their positions as follows:
1st place – 25% extra points
2nd place – 20% extra points
3rd place – 15% extra points
What does this mean?
World Triathlon Rankings have consequences like WTCS start, Olympic qualification and national selection to races.
Ultimately, maintaining a solid ranking is the best way to ensure access to start lists and opportunities within the sport.
