Photo: Darren Handschuh

Smoke has forced a partial cancellation of the Kelowna Apple Triathlon.

Smoke has forced a partial cancellation of the Kelowna Apple Triathlon.

The announcement was made Saturday morning as a thick pall of smoke from area wildfires blanketed the Valley.

“This is obviously an unfortunate situation, but the health and safety of every athlete scheduled to hit the start line this weekend remains our No. 1 priority, and that continues to be at the core of every decision we make over the next 24 hours,” said Susie Ernsting, race director. “We will continue to work with health care professionals to monitor the situation, and simply will not put any athlete at risk if the conditions are deemed not to be safe.”

A statement from organizers said, “Due to Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) rated at 10+ in the Kelowna region, which is considered very high risk, all races at the Kelowna Apple Triathlon have been canceled on Saturday including the CAMTRI/National Championship semifinals. Race officials plan to go ahead with Sunday’s planned schedule providing the air quality improves.”

All CAMTRI athletes are permitted to withdraw from the race with no penalties and return home if they choose to do so.

Athletes who would like to be withdrawn from the start list are being asked to do so by at 1:30 p.m. today.

The ITU and Triathlon Canada have removed all eligibility requirements tied to this race.

Triathlon Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee will adjust the Pan American Games selection criteria for Canadian athletes. Triathlon Canada will update all impacted participants, along with its provincial partners, as soon as the new criteria is completed.

Athletes are encouraged to remain indoors. Race packages can be picked up Sunday starting at 8:45 a.m. in the athlete’s lounge.

The Kelowna Apple Triathlon and Triathlon Canada have canceled the Elite/U-23/Junior National Championships; however, all Kelowna Apple Triathlon age group races are moving forward as planned on Sunday, providing the AQHI improves overnight.

Race Schedule:

• 7:50 a.m. – Standard Distance
• 8:10 a.m. – Sprint Distance

Race distances may be modified depending on AQHI ratings.

There are five sprint and three standard ITU World Championship qualifying spots available between the Kelowna and Penticton races on Sunday.

These spots will be redistributed to other events in British Columbia should the air quality remain at seven or higher.

The Kelowna Apple Triathlon’s event risk management team will continue to monitor AQHI throughout the weekend. Working with local health care professionals, race officials will adjust the schedule based on the following AQHI ratings:

• AQHI 9 - 10+: event delayed or cancelled if conditions don't improve
• AQHI 7-8: event delayed or modified
• AQHI <7: no modification