I completely agree with you on this one, and some of this is done already. The triathlon federation has a multisport cup that includes (winter-tri, duathlon and triathlon).
For a period of three or four years I think I would alternate between two cities in arranging national championships, help them financially and dictate race dates so that it don't happen again that there is only seven days between the only two triathlons in the season. In choosing the cites for the races I think one should have in mind "what is the international potential for this competition".
In addition to this, get the clubs in the southern part of Norway to arrange a series of simple triathlon and duathlon competition: very small fee (if anything), no medals, no officials - keep it simple.
One thing, I don't know but it seems that I have given the impression that I am somewhat connected to the federation. I'm not, there are probably other norwegians reading this forum and I think you could hear their hysterical laughter at the thought all the way over the ocean. I'm just a triathlon interested 38 year old "boy", I never find time to exercise, but I show up at race day (triathlon, marathon, half mara) and finish last.
But I kind of like organizing, so I have been responsible for one triathlon, and the national championship in duathlon in 2002, organized the triathlon group in a cycle club and now I have started the club Oslofjord triatlon together with some friends, a club mainly for grown-ups and not for the "elite".
Yours
Bent Olav Olsen
Bent Olav Olsen, recreational triathlete?