2007 Season Preview

The 2007 racing season is shaping up to be one of the best yet. Here is snapshot:

Athletes looking to stay on the "local" racing circuit can focus on the USAT Northeast Junior Development Series. The series will see eight races across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York. Stage 1 - Hyannis Sprint - has two spots on the line for the 2007 ITU Sprint Distance World Championships. www.nejuniortriathlon.com

Beginning this year, USAT will designate its top tier U19 events at Youth Elite Cups and Junior Elite Cups. National level races will take place in Iowa, Pennsylvannia and Colorado.

The USAT Des Moines Junior Elite Cup/Hy-Vee Triathlon takes place on Saturday, June 16th. Winners will earn automatic nominations to the World Championship squad. With the exception of the swim (which takes place a few miles away), the race takes place in front of Iowa's state capital building. The juniors will warm-up the course for Sunday's ITU World Cup, which has a $700,000 prize purse. www.hyveetriathlon.com

The USAT Pittsburgh Junior Elite Cup will be held on Saturday, July 14th. It begins with a dive start in front of PNC Park (home of the Pirates) and finishes at the front door of Heinz Field (home of the Steelers). Athletes will be treated to a fast and technical multi-lap course designed to mimic the 2007 World Championship venue that provides spectators with their best view of the competition all summer. Final spots for 2007 Worlds will be determined here. www.pittsburghtriathlon.com

American juniors will wrap up their continental season at the USAT Junior Elite National Championships on August 12th. The high plains of Longmont, Colorado (elevation 4,979 ft), will also host the annual Can-Am Challenge. A full day of events will see championships awarded to Youth Elite, U23, and top Development Team, as well as an ITU Pan Am Cup and probably a 2008 World Championships spot. It's all on the line in Longmont 2007. www.thegreatcoloradotriathlon.com

See you there...

2006 Rankings

Congrats to our top ranked athletes

Kate Ross - Honorable Mention - Junior Athlete of the Year category
Stephanie Stambaugh - 4th - All-American - 16-17 Juniors
Allison Linnell - 11th - 16-17 Juniors
Ian Sullivan - 7th - 20-24 Offroad