Qualifying for age-group nationals

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2006-05-15 9:11 AM

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Subject: Qualifying for age-group nationals
I have planned to drive about 3 hours next weekend to race in a Grand Prix series event in hopes to qualify for the age group nationals in July, but I have been sick all this past week (and still am as I type this - thank you runny nosed nephew), not to mention training was slackened due to family visiting from out of town the previous week

As I was reading the requirements the part where I HAVE ADDED ASTERISKS has got me stumped (this would be so much easier if I had HTML skills):

(Quote)
2006 USA Triathlon National Age Group Championships Qualification Standards

Every athlete at the 2006 National Age Group Championships must qualify at a USAT-sanctioned event to race. This event is the only intermediate-distance triathlon for which athletes have to meet a strict qualification.

How do you qualify?

Grand Prix Series events and Special Qualifiers will qualify the top 33 percent or top five finishers (whichever is greater) in each age group.
*****Any non-championship USAT sanctioned event will qualify the top 10 percent or top finisher (whichever is greater) in each age-group.*****
(End quote)


I have met this "asterisk'd" requirement several times last year (in the time frame required for this years nationals), and twice already this year, so does that mean I am already qualified?

I know, I know, I need to write USAT, but there is nothing like instant gratification


2006-05-15 9:15 AM
in reply to: #423850

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Subject: RE: Qualifying for age-group nationals
Ok, to clarify;

I go to "Joe Blow's Super Triathlon Event", that is a sanctioned USAT event, place second overall female, does this mean I qualify?

Or I go to "Jane Doe's Oly Tri" again a sanctioned USAT event and win my age group, this would also qualify me, right?
2006-05-15 9:18 AM
in reply to: #423850

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Subject: RE: Qualifying for age-group nationals

Yes, it sounds like you're already qualified for it, but only USAT can confirm that for you.

Good luck at Nationals!



Edited by SunnyS 2006-05-15 9:18 AM
2006-05-15 9:59 AM
in reply to: #423854

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Subject: RE: Qualifying for age-group nationals
Yes you have qualfied for Nationals.
2006-05-15 10:03 AM
in reply to: #423850

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Coach
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Subject: RE: Qualifying for age-group nationals

You have to meet the mentioned requirements plus you have to at least participate on 3 USAT sanctioned event on the current calendar year...

2006-05-15 10:07 AM
in reply to: #423850

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Subject: RE: Qualifying for age-group nationals
Ok, thanks, that makes me feel better, I was stressing out about competing in that tri this weekend because I feel like total crap. I really want to go to nationals because we will just happen to be about 2 hours from there during that time visiting family and it totally works out.

I was reading the rules, and was just hung on that one because it just seemed too good to be true.

Thanks again,
~Amy

2006-05-15 10:29 AM
in reply to: #423928

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Subject: RE: Qualifying for age-group nationals
Congratulations on qualifying! (And nice screen name).
2006-05-15 10:47 AM
in reply to: #423928

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Subject: RE: Qualifying for age-group nationals
Congrats on qualify for Nationals. But--and not to hijack this thread--does your avatar indicate you're a Tool fan? If so, I suspect you have gotten 10,000 Days.
2006-05-15 10:54 AM
in reply to: #423983

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Subject: RE: Qualifying for age-group nationals
Tool and The Lord of The Rings fan ...... my kind of gal!!
2006-05-15 11:25 AM
in reply to: #423850

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Subject: RE: Qualifying for age-group nationals
Huge Tool fan, even bigger Danny Carey fan, and I try and plod through LOTR every couple of years to pick up something new.
2006-05-15 12:18 PM
in reply to: #424049

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Subject: RE: Qualifying for age-group nationals
Danny Carey is a drumming genius. The Grudge is a masterpiece.

2006-05-15 4:09 PM
in reply to: #423850

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Subject: RE: Qualifying for age-group nationals
Sorry to be a black cloud, but under my understanding of the qualifying rules you PROBABLY have qualified given just the example of your Joe-Blow's race. Essentially, Joe-Blow's race qualifies the top finisher in each age-group or the top ten percent, since it is unlikely that Joe-Shmoe race had more than 20 females in your age-group it is ONLY the top finisher in the age-group who qualifies.

Here is the rub - with typical age-group awards the top 1-3 finishers are taken out of the age-group pool and given overall awards, BUT when qualifying for nationals they are put back into the pool (or else the top finishers would never be able to qualify since they are not officially the first in their age-group). So in your case if the one female who beat you happens to be in your age-group then you were actually second in your age-group and hence not qualified unless there are more than 20 in the age-group.

The only part I am not sure about is do they round up the 10% rule. For example if there are 16 athletes in the group and 10% is 1.6 does that round up to 2, or not.

Now since it seems that you were 1st in your age-group or placed overall in many races it is unlikely that every time you got bumped every time, but check to make sure.

Edited by actri 2006-05-15 4:10 PM
2006-05-15 10:20 PM
in reply to: #423850

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Subject: RE: Qualifying for age-group nationals
Hmmm, another question I just thought of...I moved up an age group this year.

Last year in the 30-34 my best results were one win overall, and three age group wins (two of those races were third overall, don't think I got bumped age group wise will have to check, the other I was 6th overall, good chance I was bumped)
This year in the 35-39 I have had two age group wins (both races 2nd overall, other women in younger age group both times)

Ok, writing it out makes it clearer now, THANKS ABOVE POSTER!

I think I still qualify, right? But I do understand where you are coming from - makes sense.
I did send an e-mail to USAT though, if I don't here from them in a couple of days I will call.

Cold is still kickin, the sinus pressure is killing me and the last thing on my mind is running or swimming, I'm not too motivated to go to that Grand Prix Tri saturday.

Edited by shadowfax 2006-05-15 10:27 PM
2006-05-17 5:27 AM
in reply to: #424713

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Subject: RE: Qualifying for age-group nationals
steam baths in your sink with olbas oil - works a treat for sinus pain. olbas oil is eucalyptus oil
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