Has anyone seen the new 2008 elite license qualification standards?!?! All I can say is wow. At first when I read them I was a little let down because I started working last year to get my elite as most everyone knows. Just recently I decided thats not what I want, or need to be focusing on right now. None the less I was dissapointed to see that those races that went towards my elite now mean nothing....
Something I had been debating w/ was whether or not I deserved/earned my elite. The new standards make me excited because I know good and well that if I qualify for my elite I will have earned it... These standards are tough, and I guarantee cut the number of "elites" by 3/4s in the next few years as current elites licenses expire. Obviously USAT agreed that the old standards were making it too easy for people to qualify. For me.. finishing top 3 amatuer OVERALL at Buffalo Springs is close to impossible...
I think my best chance is finishing top 3 amatuer in an IM...I looked at IMAZ overall from 2007 and the 3rd place amatuer (21st including pros) finished in 9:37:00. Definitly out of the question for next year... Next year ill be racing IMAZ to get to Kona... not qualify for my elite. All I need for Kona is sub 10:30... if its anything like last year. I think by now everyone knows my goal time is anything sub 10.
All in all I think the new standards for getting an elite license are a good change... and will definitly make the license that much more coveted.
To check out USATs reasoning behind this and the new qualification standards just click here.
Im happy they've obviously realized that just because a race has 500+ people doesnt mean that the competition merits an elite license.
_Jacob_
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