Rules

Equipment

• Full wetsuits are mandatory.
• Start number is not to be worn during the swim, and must be stored visible in T1, until the athlete exits the water.
• Start number belt must be visible in back during bike segment and in front during the run at all times.
• Bikes must be in good working order.
• Helmets must be approved by a national accredited testing authority, or have the CE stamp.
• No change of bike or wheels are allowed except due to mechanical failure. In this case the Race Office must be informed.
• Two backpacks containing warm clothing, flashlight/headlight, food and drink, mobile phone and cash for the cafeteria when entering the Gausta Mountain. One pack for the competitor and one for support.

Medical

Medical crew and marshals appointed by the organizers may remove a competitor from the race should there be a health or injury risk to the competitor at any time during the race.

The use of non-legal performance enhancement supplements/drugs is forbidden. Athletes may be subject to random drug tests by Antidoping Norge.

Liability

Athletes and their support crews must sign a document of "Release from Liability" before they receive their start number.

Penalties

Race marshalls can issue time penalties for athletes or disqualify either athlete or support.

Time penalties

• Minor violations (yellow card)  - 5 minutes
• Second violation (yellow card) - 15 minutes
• Third violation, major violations or dangerous behavior (red card) - Disqualification

A penalty box for serving time penalties is placed in T2 and at 32km

Rules on the bike leg

The bike course is open to traffic. Road traffic regulations must be strictly observed at all times.

The following may lead to time penalties and/or disqualification

• Violating traffic regulations. 
• Obstructing traffic by not holding to the right whenever possible.
• Use of headphones, headsets or mobile phones while on the bike.
• Pacing on the bike leg, either by car or bike.
• Drafting off another athlete or motor vehicle (Athletes may, however, cycle side by side up the 5 major hills on the bike leg.)

Rules on the run leg

The run course is open to traffic. Road traffic regulations must be strictly observed at all times.

The following may lead to time penalties and/or disqualification:

• Runners must keep to the left side of the road during the run.
• Use of headphones, headsets or mobile phones during the first 25km of the run.
• Support crews may not follow competitors by bike or running during the first 25km of the run.
• The support team causing dangerous traffic situations
• Failure to clearly mark support car with Norseman issued stickers and athlete number. (Only one support car per athlete is allowed.)
• Support from a moving car (All support must be given from outside of the car while parked.)
• Parking of a support car in the road (When parked the support car must be placed on the outside of the road, with all wheels outside the white line.)
• Obstruction of normal traffic (Never attempt to drive slowly to keep the pace of the athlete.)

Rules for the support team

The following may lead to time penalties and/or disqualification:

• The support team causing dangerous traffic situations
• Failure to clearly mark support car with Norseman issued stickers and athlete number. (Only one support car per athlete is allowed.)
• Support from a moving car (All support must be given from outside of the car while parked.)
• Parking of a support car in the road (When parked the support car must be placed on the outside of the road, with all wheels outside the white line.)
• Obstruction of normal traffic (Never attempt to drive slowly to keep the pace of the athlete.)

Spectators

Spectators not registered as the support team should be alerted and informed of the competition rules to prevent competitors from receiving a penalty.

Expected weather conditions

Water temperature: 15.5 to 17.5 C (60 to 63,5 F)
 Air temperature on the bike leg (Hardanger plateau): 5 to 20 C (41 to 68 F)
 Air temperature on the run leg (the valley): 12 to 28 C (54 to 83 F)
 Air temperature on the Mountain Gaustatoppen: 2 to 12 C (36 to 54 F)

Weather conditions and possible changes in the course on the race day

This race is situated at the same latitude as Anchorage in Alaska. The weather can make changes in the race necessary.

The swim will be shortened if the water temperature is colder than 15 degrees Celsius.

The swim course will be changed if the weather is bad, if the visibility is low due to fog or rain, high waves, strong tide or any other reason. The swim course will then either be moved further out in the opposite direction or be set out as a circuit with the start and finish in Eidfjord.

Bad weather in the mountain Gaustatoppen can make it impossible to enter the mountain. The mountain checkpoint will then be closed and the competitors will have to finish at 32 km after turning at 37 km. The checkpoint might close at any time during the competition. Fog and snow are the most likely reasons to close the checkpoint.