Hello all,
I have heard/seen some races are national qualifiers. I understand the concept of going to nationals as I almost made it in college swimming.
But I have also heard about being on the “national team”. But I really haven’t read anything about this. How does one make the national tri team…and what does that even mean?
Is it just a matter of qualfiing at a local race and then going to nat’s and doing well there? But do you then race as a team? I don’t get it.
Hello all,
I have heard/seen some races are national qualifiers. I understand the concept of going to nationals as I almost made it in college swimming.
But I have also heard about being on the “national team”. But I really haven’t read anything about this. How does one make the national tri team…and what does that even mean?
Is it just a matter of qualfiing at a local race and then going to nat’s and doing well there? But do you then race as a team? I don’t get it.
I think you’re talking about being on Team USA? You need to qualify for worlds at a national championship to be on Team USA.
Ok…but in a general sense…how do you qualify for nationals, etc. Are there steps that have to be taken? Is it based on usat rankings or are there specific qualifying races?
Is there a website that outlines the process?
Not the easiest site to navigate, but all the info is in there.
I was afraid someone would post that site…as I have no idea where the explanation is.
I’ll dig around. Thanks.
Try this- http://usatriathlon.org/content/index/1746
.
Ok…but in a general sense…how do you qualify for nationals, etc. Are there steps that have to be taken? Is it based on usat rankings or are there specific qualifying races?
Is there a website that outlines the process?
not overly difficult. finish top 10% in your AG, rounded up, in a USAT sanctioned race, or top 33%, or top 5, whichever is higher, in a regional championship race. so, for a non reg. championshop race, if there are 25 people in your AG, top 3 finishers qualify, 24 people, top 2 qualify…also, USAT All americans automatically qualify, I believe…
I’m less framiliar with Team USA qualifiers (I dont expect to qualify), but I beleive its the top 16 in each AG, rolling down to top 20. I think they’re are usually between 40-50 people in each age group…though if you get in, I would imagine it being a hugely expensive race easily toping $5,000 if you brought your family (worlds in Budapest in 2010), so I would expect each AG to roll down to 20th palce…
qualifying at Nationals is different every year. This year, it’s 18 spots rolling down to 25, so the easiest qualifier in five years (since I started paying attention anyway, not sure about earlier). There’s no team racing as such, just pay your way to Worlds and pay for a USA team uniform.
Short-course Worlds was a great experience, if you can afford it I recommend going. I did it on the cheap, used airmiles for a ticket then camped for $15/night instead of $200/night at the Team hotel…
Lausanne 2006 race report