Originally Posted by
RobbieTunes
The nationals have been boosting their revenue for years by doing this. At one time, when I heard "at the nationals," I equated it to qualifying. In many age groups, not so, not any more. I know a guy who goes every year, and I think it's so he can say "at the nationals." No knock on you, just saying it.
For sure qualification has gotten a little more lax perhaps to get more payong participants. I think in the 80s you had to be in the top 10% overall to be invited and it was Invitation only. This time i had to place in my age group in a USA Triathlon event before i qualified. It was my hometown triathlon which historically has been a very competitive and a very Texas hot event.