In all seriousness, what is the advantage of having an event sanctioned by the USAT? Do they offer some value to RDs or athletes? I’ve done races that are both USAT sanctioned and not and really haven’t noticed any difference in quality of the race.
Value to RDs:
Insurance
Value to athletes:
RDs have insurance
.
Ranking
Insurance.
Ability to qualify for Nationals
Ability to qualify for Worlds
In theory, consistant race expectations
Ability of RD to get race officials
Dave
It’s interesting that you bring this up now - what with recent "un"sanctioning of Lake Geneva. I believe that’s the first time USAT has ever flexed its muscle. I’ve been to USAT sanctioned races that were pretty weak: too few volunteers, poorly marked courses, questionable safety on the bike, no trans security, no marshaling once so ever, incredibly mis-measured, etc. etc. etc. (some of those issues are musts for USAT and some aren’t) and USAT didn’t take those RDs out behind the woodshed. Wonder what Lake Geneva had to really do to give the wake up call.
Ian
I do not know, but I hope they do more of this since we all know of races that take the USAT brand down.
Dave