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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 16, 2005) – The USA Triathlon
Board of Directors passed resolutions on its age group "age-up"
policy and youth memberships and passed USAT's 2006 budget at
its meeting on Nov. 11-12 in Colorado Springs.
After great discussion, the Board voted to use
an athlete's age as of Dec. 31 to determine his/her racing age
group. If an athlete is due to "age-up" into the next group, it
will happen at the beginning of the year, not after the
athlete's birthday.
For example, if an athlete is 34 on race day,
but will turn 35 by the end of the year, then the athlete would
compete in the 35-39 age group.
This action aligns regular U.S. age group
racing with the method used by USA Triathlon for its National
Rankings Program and its new Grand Prix Series.
It is also the system used by the International Triathlon
Union for its world championships.
"In the past, athletes might race against one
set of athletes, but then be ranked against another set at the
end of the year," said USA Triathlon Board President Brad
Davison. "Now, all athletes will be ranked with the people they
raced against.
"This will also be important for our Grand
Prix series, as all the races in the series will need a
uniform system for determining an athlete's age."
In an effort to increase the number of young
people competing in multi-sport events, the Board lowered the
cost of a youth annual membership from $15 to $5, while
eliminating the $3 youth one-day license.
The policy, which starts in 2006, will benefit
parents and race directors in that athlete parents will not be
required to attend every race registration to sign a waiver.
Youth athletes who compete in a USA Triathlon
sanctioned event will purchase the annual license once, and then
will be able to race with it for the next year. They will
receive a youth membership card, the USAT membership magazine
and a USAT key chain.
This will also allow USAT to build a database of young
members that it can contact with information about events and
programs that help keep them involved in the multi-sport
lifestyle.
The Board got a preview of the many
initiatives the USA Triathlon staff has planned for the 2006
season, including the new
web site, new membership
magazine and the Grand Prix race series before approving the
2006 budget. . . .
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