USA Paratriathlon Championship Race Information

2014 Paratriathlon National Championship Qualifications

1. Introduction
The qualification procedures will explain how USA paratriathletes can enter to compete in the USA Paratriathlon National Championship Event. Any athlete that wishes to compete in the National Championship wave at the 2014 USA Paratriathlon National Championship must be officially classified and placed in a USA Paratriathlon Category as outlined in USA Triathlon’s Competitive Rules.

2. Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Consideration
a. Athlete must be eligible under all applicable rules of ITU (www.triathlon.org), the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (www.usada.org), and USA Triathlon.
b. Athlete must be an annual member in good standing of USA Triathlon.
c. Paratriathlon Category Classification: Each athlete must be Officially Classified and placed in a USA Paratriathlon Category as outlined in USA Triathlon’s Competitive Rules. USA Paratriathlon categories shall be instituted and maintained as follows:

TRI 1 - Handcycle: Paraplegic, Quadriplegic, Polio, Double Leg Amputee. Must use long-seat hand-cycle on the bike portion and racing wheelchair on run.

TRI 2 - Severe Leg impairment: Above-knee Amputees. Athlete must ride bicycle and run with above knee (or similar) prosthesis or crutches.

TRI 3 - Les Autre: Includes athletes with Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, Double Leg Amputee (runners) or Paralysis in multiple limbs. Must ride a bicycle and run. (May use braces or prosthesis)

TRI 4 - Arm impairment: Including Above and Elbow Amputees or "impairment" in one or both upper limbs. Athletes may use prosthesis, brace or sling on the bike and/or run.

TRI 5 - Moderate leg impairment: Below-knee amputees. Athlete must ride bicycle and run with prosthesis or crutches.

TRI 6 - Visual Impairment: Legally Blind. (20/200 vision with best corrective vision.) A handler of the same sex is mandatory throughout the race. Athlete uses a tandem bicycle. Athletes may be tethered and must wear blackout shades during the run (if required by the ITU).

3. National Championship Wave
The athlete must be able to be classified during their classification appointment using the USA Paratriathlon Categories (or have a “C” status triathlon classification from a previous national or world championship) and have achieved the following at a USAT-sanctioned event between June 1, 2012 and May 1, 2014:

a) Successful completion of a sprint distance triathlon within 40% of the winning time at the 2013 USA Paratriathlon National Championship in their category.

4. Open Wave
The athlete does NOT need a qualification time and does NOT need to be classified to compete in this wave. This wave does not qualify athletes for World Championship participation or National Championship titles.