Just curious how many of you would now qualify for USAT Pro Status according to their new requirements as of January 5, 2005.
CRITERIA A: Finish top eight and within 8 percent of the overall winner’s time, according to gender, in three (3) USAT sanctioned events that occurred within the past 12 months and had at least 500 participants.
CRITERIA B: Finish within 8 percent of the overall winner’s time in two (2) Ironman distance events that included an elite field (offering $5k or greater in prize purse) that occurred within the past 12 months and had at least 500 participants.
**CRITERIA C: **Finish within 8 percent of the overall winner’s time in one (1) Ironman- distance event that included an elite field (offering $5k or greater in prize purse) that occurred within the past 12 months and had at least 500 participants AND Finish top- 8 and within 8% of the overall winner’s time, according to gender, in one (1) USAT sanctioned event that occurred within the past 12 months and had at least 500 participants.
Before it seemed a lot of people would agree that qualifying for pro status was relatively “easy.” I think before the requirements were (3) Top Tens within 10% of overall winner’s time for races with 200 people. I would argue that this makes things a lot more difficult based on the quality of athletes attending races with 500 people. Any thoughts?