I never really had a good handle the selection process until I read this recently posted article written by someone who herself was on the selection committee.
Obviously it does not get much interest here. But, I’m surprised that more folks have not commented. I blogged about it the other day and how there are only about 7 men (about the same women) who will be racing for one spot. There are about 50 other athletes racing the PanAm champs the same day in Mexico.
I don’t know that there will ever be a perfect system, but certainly the system as it is now…or at least the trials race is a bit exclusive. And yes, I know that the ITU sets some of the criteria so USAT’s hands are tied in that respect. I can’t believe that only 7 (8 if Friman races) American men are going to be competing for 1/2 of the $50k prize purse. You can limp home in last and still get $1500 or so for your efforts. Instead, it seems as if any US athlete who has ITU points should be able to race the trials race and take home some $$ even if there are no ITU points on the line or even if they are not ‘eligible’ to compete at the Olympics.
They are actually racing for two spots.
What is your take on who will win those slots?
2 spots left, one will go to the first finisher in Alabama. The last will be awarded after Hy-Vee based on some points, but if Hunter and Any go 1-2 in Alabama, they will probably be on the team since they were the 2nd and 3rd in Beijing last year.
With a really small field like there is, I think that it will come down even more to the run unless Andy can break away on the swim. Even if he does I think that it will be tough to go it alone unless he takes someone with him. The guys are all close enough in my mind in the swim to string out one line of 7-8. I don’t expect there will be too much action on the bike unless there are 2-3 ahead of the others. I would really like to see Andy make it in Alabama with the last spot going to Hunter. Those 2, imho, are our best shot at a medal. Jarrod is a great runner, but those two have a little more experience, and unless the US races for 1 athlete instead of 3, those 2 are a little more well rounded. My sentimental favorite is Friman for the 3rd spot if he races since we’ve been racing together since about 1989.
Women?
The article didn’t mention anything about alternates. Don’t we get alternates?