WTC Releases First Phase Of New Age Group Ranking System
The trial run of the AGR system will take place this season in Europe.
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The World Triathlon Corporation, owners of Ironman, have announced a new age group ranking system. The trial run of the system will reward athletes for their performances at European Ironman, 70.3 and 5150 events between the dates of May 12, 2012 to Nov. 10, 2012. The top ranked athlete in each age group will receive a free entry to any qualifying event of their choice for 2013.
See the complete press release below:
To further showcase the unique talent of its athletes, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) today introduced phase one of the new Age Group Ranking system (AGR). The trial run of the program will recognize the best age group competitors at Ironman, Ironman 70.3 and 5150 Triathlon Series races in Europe.
“We’re extremely enthusiastic about the pilot phase of the new AGR system in Europe,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of WTC. “We continue to be impressed by the caliber of age group athletes competing in our races and we’re excited to more fully acknowledge and reward their accomplishments.”
Athletes ranked No. 1 in their age group in 2012 will receive free entry to a 2013 Ironman, Ironman 70.3 or 5150 Triathlon Series qualifying event of their choice. Athletes ranking second through fifth in their age group in 2012 will receive guaranteed entry for the 2013 Ironman, Ironman 70.3 or 5150 Triathlon Series qualifying event of their choice. The AGR slots will be added into the overall number of available race entries and will not impact registration opportunities for other age group participants across qualifying events.
Athletes will also have the chance to race a 2012 European 5150 Triathlon Series event for free once they register for a 2012 Ironman and Ironman 70.3 event in Europe.
The new AGR system is unique in that it scores races in the Ironman, Ironman 70.3 and 5150 Triathlon Series in one system. In phase one of the program, age group athletes, regardless of nationality, will earn points by competing in any WTC-affiliated race in Europe. Points are collected between May 12, 2012 and Nov. 10, 2012, with the first race opportunity being Thomas Cook Ironman 70.3 Mallorca and the final being Ironman 70.3 Lanzarote. The system will be broken down into three categories: small, big, and bonus points. Information on the points system may be found by visiting: Ironman.com/ranking.