The USA Triathlon Board of Directors passed resolutions on its age group "age-up" policy and youth memberships and passed USAT's 2006 budget at its meeting on Nov. 11-12 in Colorado Springs.
After great discussion, the Board voted to align with the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and use an athlete's age as of Dec. 31 to determine his/her racing age group.
For example, if an athlete is 34 on race day, but will turn 35 by the end of the year, then the athlete would compete in the 35-39 age group.
This action aligns regular age group racing with the method used by the ITU for its world championships and by USA Triathlon for its National Rankings program.
"In the past, athletes might qualify for the world championships with one set of athletes, but then compete against another set at the world championships," said USA Triathlon Board President Brad Davison. "Now, the U.S. athletes they see at the national championships will be the same ones they compete with and against at worlds.
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I've heard a couple of interpretations of this. Anyone know how this will work? Is it age on Dec 31 of the same year as the race? The other interpretation was age on Dec 31 determines your AG for the coming year.
Will WTC follow?
After great discussion, the Board voted to align with the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and use an athlete's age as of Dec. 31 to determine his/her racing age group.
For example, if an athlete is 34 on race day, but will turn 35 by the end of the year, then the athlete would compete in the 35-39 age group.
This action aligns regular age group racing with the method used by the ITU for its world championships and by USA Triathlon for its National Rankings program.
"In the past, athletes might qualify for the world championships with one set of athletes, but then compete against another set at the world championships," said USA Triathlon Board President Brad Davison. "Now, the U.S. athletes they see at the national championships will be the same ones they compete with and against at worlds.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
I've heard a couple of interpretations of this. Anyone know how this will work? Is it age on Dec 31 of the same year as the race? The other interpretation was age on Dec 31 determines your AG for the coming year.
Will WTC follow?