TEAM USA ZOFINGEN ATHLETE HANDBOOK September 5-6, 2015 Zofingen, Switzerland
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TEAM USA ZOFINGEN ATHLETE HANDBOOK September 5-6, 2015 Zofingen, Switzerland GREETINGS TEAM USA ZOFINGEN ATHLETES! We hope you are gearing up for an exciting few days of events. Team USA wishes you all safe travels to Zofingen. Should you have any questions during your travels, please email [email protected] . If you have any questions during your stay in Zofingen, please stop by the Team USA information desk located on the first floor of Hotel Engel-Zofingen. Team USA staff will be available to assist you with any questions that you may have. INFORMATION BOARDS Located on the first floor of Hotel Engel-Zofingen will be the Team USA information boards. Daily and weekly updates, event details, maps, frequently asked questions, and contact information will be listed on these boards daily. Be sure to check the boards frequently for any changes or updates to daily events. Information boards will be available starting on September 3, 2015. There may be situations when we email you similar information but only those details that we learn about last minute while in Zofingen. You will find us at: Hotel Engel – Zofingen Engelgasse 4 CH-4800 Zofingen TEAM CHECK-IN After arriving at your hotel event week, please contact me in person, via email ([email protected]), text (719- 472-4370) or the Viber app to let me know that you have arrived and all of your gear (bike, race gear, USAT card, etc.) made it as well. Please let me know where you are staying and if anyone is traveling with you. If emergency contact information has changed from the time that you registered, please let me know. TEAM USA ZOFINGEN SUPPORT STAFF Team USA Manager Lauren Rios – Colorado Springs, CO Congratulations on your qualification for the ITU Long Course Duathlon World Championships in Zofingen, Switzerland! You will be representing The United States of America at one of the highest levels of the sport- an accomplishment you should be very proud of. I am excited to be your Team USA manager for this race. Our week in Switzerland is sure to be full of thrilling racing, meeting athletes from all over the world and beautiful sights. I will be here to assist you in the final weeks and days leading up to and throughout the race. Whether it is crossing the finish line, achieving your personal best time or winning the race, I want to see you achieve your goals. Hard training, long hours, and dedication have brought you to this point and I am confident I will see several of you standing on the podium at the end of the race! See you in Zofingen! -Lauren Rios IMPORTANT WEBSITES Be sure to check the following websites for any updates before the World Championships right up to the time that you depart from the event! Most importantly is the athlete guide which now appears on the event site! TEAM USA ZOFINGEN http://www.usatriathlon.org/audience/team-usa/zofingen-2015/contents.aspx POWERMAN http://www.powerman.ch/en ITU POWERMAN http://www.triathlon.org/events/event/2015_zofingen_itu_powerman_long_distance_duathlon_world_championships TEAM ATTIRE FOR THE OPENING/CLOSING CEREMONIES & TEAM USA ZOFINGEN PHOTO We highly encourage all Team USA Zofingen athletes to wear the Team USA jacket, custom Team USA shirt and khaki shorts to opening ceremony, the team photo and on the podium. The jacket, shirt and khaki shorts can be found online when you ordered your uniform. If you do not have these items with you, wear something white that is long sleeved and preferably khaki shorts or pants. If it is too warm or cold to wear the jacket, you do not need to wear it to the ceremonies but bring it along for the team photo. TEAM USA MERCHANDISE Cash or check only please FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE AND CASH OR CHECK ONLY, PLEASE Team USA Beanie – 12USD Team USA Duathlon Patch – 5USD Zofingen, Switzerland Banner Patch –5USD Team USA World Championship Sticker – 2USD 2014 Team USA Jacket – 30USD 2015 Team USA Zofingen Commemorative Pin – FREE to all Team USA Zofingen athletes. 5USD for an additional pin. *We will have limited amounts of these items available. If you would like to pre-reserve an item, please email Team USA at [email protected]. TRAVEL TIPS CREDIT CARD: Contact your credit card company to let them know that you will be traveling out of the country in order to avoid any blocks on your credit card. o Avoid bringing all unnecessary credit cards o Bring a copy of your bank’s contact information o If traveling with multiple people in your party, consider bringing a separate card for each of you o Make copies of all of your credit cards and bank information. Consider leaving one copy with a relative back home in case yours is lost or stolen. o Do not use your credit card in places when you sense “protection” of your card might not be most ideal. o Exchanging money might be easier at the airport but most banks are open 7 days a week. The best option is utilizing the cash machine option in Zurich since airports typically have a lower exchange rate and fee associated with the exchange. PASSPORT: Make copies of your passport. Bring the original and a copy with you but store in separate places. Leave one copy with a relative back home. CELL PHONES: Call your service provider prior to departure to let them know that you will be traveling internationally and to avoid any international service fees. We have learned over the years that having a phone overseas is very convenient but very important to note that there are many costs associated with travelling overseas and using your phone. Zofingen is an overseas flight- please note the following: o Begin hydrating at least one week prior to your flight. o Avoid caffeine and alcohol o Several days before your flight begin adjusting your internal clock according to the time zone you are flying into. o Zofingen is 6 hours ahead the East coast and is 8 ahead of the Mountain Time Zone; adjust your sleeping habits accordingly. o Wear loose-fitting clothing and shoes, pack a neck pillow, ear plugs or headphones, and an eye mask to sleep on the flight. o Avoid using escalators and moving sidewalks at the airport. Completing some form of exercise before your flight will help you sleep better on the plane. o Try to walk around or stand and stretch while on the plane. Stomach crunches, toe raises and shoulder exercises will also help your blood flow. IMPORTANT REMINDERS SECURITY o Write your name and Team USA on the tag of all of your gear. o Do NOT leave any bags unattended at any time. o If you have a safe in your hotel room, consider locking up all valuables. BIKE MECHANICS o Make sure your bike is in working order now, before you depart. o Packing your bike - If you are uncomfortable packing your bike, please request your bike shop to assist you. o Un-Packing your bike – You are encouraged to assemble your bike as much as you can. If you are not comfortable with this task, there will be limited mechanics available at the race site. o If you have a bike with special needs, please bring proper tools just in case mechanics do not have them. Bring any special parts as well. MEDICAL o Please bring any chronic/long-term medications that you might be taking for various medical conditions. In addition, bringing a list of other medications you have been using helps in the case of any acute medical problem. o A general list of medical conditions both chronic and recent is EXTREMELY helpful to the medical staff should any problems arise. o While medical staff does not “clear” your participation in this event, there are several conditions that should make you think twice about racing: . Use of blood thinners (Coumadin, Plavix, etc). If this is the case, we would ask that you provide the Team USA staff with a letter from you physician at home “clearing” you to compete and that you are aware of the risks involved. On-going symptoms of concussion/head injury o If you are transported to the medical tent during the race, have the medical team call for your Team USA Manager, Lauren Rios to come to the medical tent. o Medex International Insurance – If you haven’t already, please consider purchasing Medex International Race Insurance TEAM USA SCHEDULE *Schedule is tentative and subject to change. Any updates will be emailed to you and posted on the Team USA information board located on September 3, 2015. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Time Activity Location Thursday, September 3 18:00 Team USA Dinner – All athletes please wear your white Team USA shirt TBD Friday, September 4 16:00 – 19:00 Race Office open and issuing of starting numbers (Packet pick up) Stadtsaal 17:00 Team USA Photo – Wear your parade package! TBD 18:00 LOC Pasta-Party - All athletes welcome Stadtsaal 19:00 Opening Ceremony, handover numbers to top athletes Stadtsaal Saturday, September 5 11:00 - 17:00 Race Office open, license controlling, packet pick up Stadtsaal (Don't forget your photo ID and USAT Card!!) Sunday, September 6 06:00 - 09:00 Issuing of starting numbers, license controlling Stadtsaal 06:00 - 10:00 Issuing of start numbers only for Powerman CHARITY Stadtsaal 06:30 - 09:10 Bike handover and helmet check Arena 8:00 Start women ITU and Open Long Distance Start area 8:00 Start all para-categories Start area 9:00 Start men ITU Long Distance Start area 9:02 Start men Open Long Distance Start area 9:35 Start teams Long Distance Start area 9:45 Start women Short Distance Start area 9:50 Start men & relays Short Distance Start area 10:45 Start Powerman CHARITY 5km run Start area 11:00 - 11:15 Finish Powerman CHARITY 5km run Arena 12:00 First finishers Short Distance Arena 14:15 Awards ceremony SHORT Distance / Remis des prix SHORT Expo First Finishers "2015 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon 15:15 Arena World Championships" Flower Ceremony "2015 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance 15:45 Arena Duathlon World Championships" 19:00 Post-Race Party organized by LOC Stadtsaal Awards Ceremony "2015 Zofingen ITU Powerman Long Distance 20:00 Stadtsaal Duathlon World Championships" LIVE STREAM Powerman will live stream the event HERE.