There appears to be a growing rift between WTC and USAT over the sanctioning and officiating of WTC’s races. Last week’s Honu Half Ironman was officiated by non-USAT officials ( headed by J. Riccitello) and the athlete insurance was provided through an entity other than USAT. All participants had to fill out a one day license from a new entity, Global Tri Group. Some athletes reported having received an e-mail from a USAT official in which it was stated that this race was not sanctioned by USAT and that it would not count for USAT rankings. On the USAT website forum, there is the following response to a post asking about the sanctioning:
"WTC chose to pull its sanctioning. We did not take it from them. I cannot speak for them.
For USAT, what it comes down to, at the moment, is rules. WTC does not want to enforce all of USAT’s rules at its events.
Both sides are still talking. There may be an update on this later this week."
As many of you know, WTC regularly requests rule amendments for their races. For many years USAT has sanctioned IM Hawaii, and Honu last year, with the requested amended rules. The amended rules include no wetsuit, mass swim start, some other small items, and the on-the-spot penalties/sitting in the penalty box at T2. These rules seem to be part of the Ironman fabric, but apparently, do not sit well with USAT. The fact that USAT believes talks are ongoing indicates that a solution may exist. It will be interesting to see who blinks first. I suspect that WTC can thrive better with out USAT that USAT can without WTC. Clearly, if the free market supports another entity providing insurance and officials to independent races, USAT should be looking over its shoulder.