USAT AAC

USA Triathlon Board Meeting Minutes Pertaining to Elites
November 11-12, 2005
Athlete Reps Present: Michael Smedley, Victor Plata, Alison DeWall


1. AAC Report
A. AAC Recommendation for 2006 Nationals – approved by the Board:

Elite Long Course Triathlon Nationals
The AAC recommends the Spirit of Racine for the site of 2006 Elite
Long Course Nationals. This is based on the information provided by
the race directors as well as feedback from elite members we
represent.

Elite Duathlon Nationals
We recommend Mason, Ohio on May 6, 2006. Mason is the host of a 2006
International Triathlon Union's (ITU) Duathlon World Series event.
National Age Group Duathlon Championships will be at Mason on May 7.

Elite Long Distance Duathlon Nationals
We recommend Powerman Alabama as the site of Long Course Duathlon
Nationals on April 9, 2006.

B. Elite Membership Qualification Discussion
1. In 2004, the AAC presented a resolution to change elite
membership qualification rules, making it harder to obtain an elite
license. Since then, elite membership numbers have relatively
remained unchanged
2. The AAC is currently discussing our stance regarding elite
membership. Following are questions/changes we're considering
· The AAC would like to raise the level of prestige of
elite/pro status. But, does this mean that we need to cut our
numbers? Maybe there are just a few "bad apples" that need to be
weeded out.
· Since Ironman events are no longer sanctioned by USAT, they
cannot be used as qualifying events for pro status
· Cutting numbers will mean lower turnout for race directors
seeking to draw large elite fields
· How will "expert age grouper" status affect elite/pro
membership?
· We currently have 5 classes of elite membership: 1) Elite
Tri, 2) Elite Du, 3) Elite Foreigner, 4) Elite Collegiate, 5)
Elite Off-Road. Is it necessary to have this many classes of
membership?
· Should we consider having an ITU class of membership that
requires drafting experience?
· Could we use USAT's Age Group Grand Prix series as a
qualifying series to turn elite/pro? *the board especially liked
this idea

C. Trade Teams
1. USAT has changed their policy and will no longer allow resident
team, U-23 or U-19 athletes to participate in "Trade Teams":

"As of January 1, 2006 any athlete on the U19 Squad, U23 Squad and
the Resident Team may not also be a member of a trade team such as
the Wells Fargo Team or Team Aegis. We have made this decision in
the interest of the national federation sponsors which are now
supporting these squads and also in the best interest of the
development of the athletes. We did allow this in 2005 but have made
a firm decision not to continue with this in 2006 and beyond. The
athlete still reserves the right to make a decision as to which
team/squad they would like to be part of. It must also be noted
that this will not influence the selection of the national teams for
world championships. Athletes will be selected purely on merit and
the team they race for will not influence the selections in any way
(as we showed with the selection of Michelle Lindsay this year)."

· The AAC and BOD reps are very divided on this topic. On one
hand, it seems unfair to restrict resident team members from
competing with and earning money with a team.
· However, USAT is evolving the resident team to be
more "team" based by raising sponsorship money its members. In an
effort to grow these sponsorships, it is in USAT's best interest to
have all elites compete to win (rather than to help someone on their
team win).

2. The board discussed this topic for over an hour and decided to
uphold the trade teams rule as written. Following are the reasons
for their decision:
· There is a difference between USAT's resident team and the
resident program. The resident team is moving towards a team
strategy.The resident program on the other hand, focuses on
individual performance (there is no team concept). Resident program
athletes can even race for coaches outside the national teams
program. Given this understanding, resident team athletes must
follow the trade teams rule above. Resident program athletes are not
required to follow the trade teams rule and are allowed to race on
trade teams outside of USAT.
· Another point of clarification was made regarding
sponsorship. The new trade teams rule does not restrict athletes
from obtaining sponsorship from brands not associated with the
resident team program.

D. 2006 World Cup Selection Criteria
1. USAT's World Cup criteria need to be updated to align with
the ITU's new points system.
2. The ITU AAC is working with Libby Burrell to revise the
criteria for 2006.

E. Winter Triathlon
1. The AAC is excited about the prospect of growing winter
triathlon in the U.S.
2. The ITU believes there is a shot of getting winter triathlon
into the Olympics. They are moving forward to establish a ranking
system for the following events:
· ITU Winter Triathlon World Championships
· ITU Winter Triathlon Continental Championships
· ITU World Cup
· ITU Continental Cup
· National Championships
3. It would be ideal to find a national championship event with
prize money or to have USAT provide a small prize purse in an effort
to give this winter tri momentum again. There are currently three
interested race directors who will submit RFPs to hold the 2006
national championship.
4. The AAC is working with Jeff Dryek to find possible sites
for the 2006 national championships and to find ways to advance
winter tri participation amongst USAT elites.

2. Bylaw Discussion
A. The board agreed to change the following bylaws:

1. Nominating Committee AND Finance & Audit Committee shall consist
of at least 20% athlete represenatation. Bylaw to be revised as
follows:
· "The Nominating Committee shall consist of not less than
three individuals selected by the Board of Directors and shall
include at least one member (or 20% of total committee) who is and
elite athlete as defined in Article VI, Section 2."
· "The Finance and Audit Committee shall consist of three
members. One of whom shall be the Treasurer of USA Triathlon, one of
whom shall be an elite athlete as defined in Article VI, Section 2."

2. The elite athlete board terms shall be staggered as follows
· "Of the three Athlete Directors, one shall be elected in the
odd-numbered years and two in the even-numbered years."
3. New Bylaw
A. The following bylaw was approved by the board:

" USA Triathlon shall reimburse the USOC AAC representative for
travel expenses incurred to attend USA Triathlon Board of Director
Meetings."

4. New USAT Website
A. USAT is relaunching their website to add many new features for
sanctioning, membership and elites. More to come…

5. Budget
A. Revenue for triathlon in 2006 will be approximately $6.7
million.
B. National teams program budget is relatively unchanged from 2005.
C. New initiatives will be implemented for non-drafting sports
(winter tri, aquathon, duathlon)

6. USA Triathlon Congress
A. USAT will host the first annual USAT Congress event in
Colorado Springs on January 12-16, 2006.
B. The focus of the event is the race directors conference.
C. The event is open to regional presidents, regional officials
coordinators, regional athlete development coordinators, USAT board
of directors and global rules summit.
D. Each day there will be a keynote speaker: Monday: Bob Roll,
Tuesday: Carol Lewis, Wednesday: Jef Mallett.

7. Collegiate Nationals
A. In the past, USAT has selected an existing event and given it the
title of Collegiate Nationals. Beginning in 2006, USA Triathlon
will "own" Collegiate Nationals. The 2006 event will be in Reno,
Nevada . Details are still being arranged.

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posted by andy  # 2:44 PM