Why Go Pro?

1) Must be Pro to Compete for ITU Points which are used for qualification to Olympic Trials.

2) To be eligible to earn  prize money from Pro Races.

3) To help get recognition and sponsorship.

USAT Pro Qualifications

Finish top ten overall and within 10% of the overall winner's time (by gender) in three events that:

1. Were sanctioned by USAT

2. Occurred within the past 12 months

3. Had at least 200 participants

How Do I Earn ITU Points?

Earning International Triathlon Union points is integral to qualifying for the 2000 Olympic Trials. In order to compete in trials, an athlete must be ranked in the Top-100 of the ITU Points Rankings by May 1, 2000. These rankings have been cumulative since 1997. There are currently three means of earning ITU points: International Point Series races, World Cup races and the World Championships.

The top 100 ranked competitors on the ITU Triathlon World Ranking, as of 1 May, 2000 are eligible to compete at the Olympic Games. NOCs will select eligible competitors to the Olympic Games based on the maximum number allowed as per the ITU selection criteria.

1999 ITU World Events (points races)

Feb 14 Antofagasta International Triathlon, Chile

March 6 Mykonos International Triathlon, South Africa

March 13 Valle de Bravo, Mexico

March 14 Winter Triathlon Championships, Bardonecchia, Italy

April 11 Ishigaki World Cup, Japan

April 18 Gamagori World Cup, Japan

April 24 St. Petersburg (St. Anthony's) Triathlon, Florida

April 25- Noumea France

April 25- Sau Pualo Triathlon- BrazilApril 25 Anzio International Triathlon, Italy

May 2 Sydney World Cup, Australia

May 9- St. Kitt's Triathlon

May 16 Amakusa International Triathlon, Japan

May 16 Forte de Marmi International Triathlon, Italy

May 22- Coria Triathlon- Spain

May 23 Sabah International Triathlon, Malaysia

May 30 Milan International Triathlon, Italy

May 30 Zundert Interntaional Triathlon, Netherlands

June 5 Guam International Triathlon, Guam

June 5 Marseille International Triathlon, France

June 6- Echternach Triathlon- Luxembourg

June 13- Kapelle-op-den Bos World Cup- Belgium

June 6 Long Distance Duathlon World Champs, Zofingen, Sweden

June 6 Lake Havasu Triathlon, Arizona

June 13 Oceanside International Triathlon, California

June 19 Belgrade International Triathlon, Yugoslavia

June 19- Prague Triathlon- Czech Republic

June 20- Monte Carlo Triathlon- Monaco

June 20- Pepsi Max Royal Windsor Triathlon- Great Britian

June 27- Leamington Triathlon- Canada

July 10- Graus Triathlon- Spain

July 10 Los Cabos, Mexico

July 10,11 Long Distance Triathlon World Champs, Sater, Sweden

July 11- Edmonton Triathlon- Canada

July 18- Frankfurt Triathlon- Germany

July 24 Pan American Games Triathlon, Winnipeg, Canada

Aug 8 North American Regional Championship, Wilkes Barre, USA  - My First Race as Pro for Points

Aug 8 Tiszaujvaros World Cup , Hungary

Aug 8 Nagara International Triathlon, Japan

Aug 15 Newfoundland World Cup, Canada

August 15- Vila Velha Triathlon- Brazil

Aug 22 Gyor International Triathlon, Hungary

August 29 Lausanne World Cup, Switzerland

Sept 4,5 Triathlon World Championships, Munich, Germany

Sept 4 Brno International Triathlon, Czech Republic

Sept 11 Pacific Grove International Triathlon, USA

Sept 26 Murakami International Triathlon, Japan

Oct 10 Cancun World Cup Triathlon, Mexico

Oct 16,17 Duathlon World Championships, North Carolina

October 24- Holambra Triathlon- Brazil

Nov 5 Aquathon World Championships, Noosa, Australia

Nov 7 Noosa World Cup, Australia

Nov 13 Ixtapa, Mexico

Dec TBD Macau International Triathlon, China

For more info on how the system works - USA Triathlon

The Toe Injury Story

      It all started on August 5, 1999... all psyched up for my first Pro Race "Wilkes-Barre" practicing my bike transition. After experimenting mounting my bike without shoes on and taking off my shoes before dismounting, I went back into the house. I opened the freezer door to put something in and out fell an Ice Pack! The Ice Pack (which didn't look that dangerous) fell right on my big toe! It hurt #@&##%!!!

     My toe & nail turned purple and I thought it might ruin my race which was in three days! I rested the toe till the race, hoping that it would be OK for the race. Well, the race did not go well at all, as soon as the swim started I felt the pain. It got worse throughout the race and I should have stopped. I completed the race and went straight to the medical tent.

After returning to New York, I went to my doctor and had the toe x-rayed.
It was fractured!

Six weeks later... September 16, 1999 - I took my first run - felt great!!! My main focus for 1999 is Ironman Florida and I now have Six weeks to get my running back to Marathon distance. Fortunately I was able to bike (using platforms - instead of bike shoes) and I could swim by using rubber bands to hold toes together and couldn't flip off the wall.

Dilbert - just for laughs!

Dilbert is now on TV - Tuesday nights channel 9