USAT Age Group Nationals qual question (Page 2)

Also, they base qualifying on starters in the AG in the race, not finishers, so you do have to look at the race results with that in mind.  Some races display only finishers when they show you as finishing "X out of Y" in your AG...to determine if you qualified for AG Natls at a race, you have to calculate percentage based on starters (including all DNFs).

Aha - I see from the website that this is an important piece of the rules. That would certainly explain my case where I was out of the top 10% among finishers, but not among starters. (Thank you DNFers!)

nikon---see you at Patriot!!!! 

OK last year was the first year of AG Nats selling out "quickly" (apparently it had only sold out once before the week of the race).  The qualifying standards (really the timing) makes it so folks can't qualify/register too early in some areas.  Last year it sold out before some regional champs so they added more slots.

The qualifying standard is for Oly distance race.  That is the AG Nat championship.  The sprint is anyone and everyone.

As for a bucket list race---well having grown up in New England I was all for traveling last year to do this race.  It was well worth it---and others seem to agree--it was a very quality, deep field on both men's and women's side.  I know some (many) will say it's not a big race/not a championship/it's not WTC so who cares etc BUT just look at last years results.

If folks have more specific questions fire away (or feel free to PM me if more comfortable).

such a great race in Burlington I double posted

In years past, even last year, you don't need to qualify to do the sprint.  The OLY distance is what you're qualifying for.  If you qualify, you can choose to do the sprint instead.

Nope haven't done Patriot before...  I'm in northern VA so it's about 3hrs away---supposed to be flat and fast!  Most of the tri's I race are put on by SetUp events and they do a great job so should be a good time!  (make sure you are ready to pedal for the whole bike--from others that have done it doesn't sound like any downhills/coasting...)