Courtesy: USAT

The USA Triathlon National Rankings Program has another record- setting year in 2004.

Approximately 20,299 members were ranked in a total of 1,124 races. That is an increase of 1,601 members and 193 races from 2003.

In triathlon, 850 out of a possible 885 races were scored.

In duathlon, 274 out of a possible 284 races were scored.

USA Triathlon and its rankings partner, Timberline Timing, do their best to get useable results from every USA Triathlon- sanctioned race.

In order to be ranked, an athlete had to be a USA Triathlon annual member by Sept. 30, 2004 and compete in three USA Triathlon-sanctioned triathlons or duathlons within the calendar year.

The rankings are used to determine USA Triathlon All Americans and All American Honorable Mentions. The top five percent of athletes in each age group are named All Americans. The next five percent are given honorable mentions.

The age group rankings are posted at http://www.usatriathlon.org/Rankings/rankings.htm .

Members who think there is a problem with their ranking need to fill out an inquiry form, which is also posted to the web site. Inquiries must be submitted by March 1, 2005 in order to be investigated and, if necessary, changed before the rankings go out in hard copy in the May/June issue of USA Triathlon Times.