I wanna become an Elite athlete

This is just an interesting article that I figured I'd put out there. I always wondered what it took to be an elite and now I know. From the USAT website here's the criteria:

Qualification criteria: Any athlete who chooses to compete as an elite triathlete must meet at least one of the six (6) criteria listed below:

CRITERIA A:
Finish within 8% of the winning elite time (onsame course as elites) in three USAT sanctioned events that offer an elite/ pro prize purse.

CRITERIA B:
Finish top- 10 overall and within 8% of the winner's time at ITU Age Group World Championships.

CRITERIA C:
Finish top- 10 overall in the amateur field at Ironman World Championship.

CRITERIA D:
Finish top-5 overall and within 8% of the winner's time at the USAT Age Group National Championships.

CRITERIA E:
Finish top-5 overall and within 8% of the winner's time at USAT Collegiate Natinal Championships.

CRITERIA F:
Finish top-3 overall in the amateur field at an Elite Qualifying Race. The list of Elite Qualifying Races is determined by the AAC each year and published on USAT's website. Please find the list below.

Elite Qualifying Races for 2008:
· Columbia
· Memphis in May
· Wildflower – Olympic and Long Distance only
· Chicago- International distance only
· St. Anthony's
· Lifetime Fitness- Intermediate distance only
· NYC
· Escape from Alcatraz
· BoulderPeak Triathlon
· 5430 Long Course Triathlon
· Buffalo Springs
· IronmanAZ
· Ironman Kona
· IronmanWI
· Ironman Coeur d’Alene
· Ironman Lake Placid
· IronmanFL
· 70.3 Oceanside
· 70.3 Vineman
· 70.3 Clearwater, FL

Currently there are only 345 people who have elite/pro cards through the USAT and that includes Tri, DU and Off road. Contrast this with the approximate membership of Beginner Triathlete of 40,000 and 100,676+ USAT ANNUAL memberships. That's not the one day licenses so assume that number might be doubled. Roughly .3% of USAT members have elite cards. As you can see it's extremely difficult so when you meet a pro you have to know that they are very talented and very rare. I must will say it's very cool to see Karen Smyers in transition prior to your race and get to have a conversation with Tim Snow about race nutrition. However the people I'm most looking forward to racing with is Team Hoyt. To me nothing says triathlon like Dick and Rick Hoyt. I'm going to feel like a groupie but I'll be needing a pic. Next weekend Team Hippo meets Team Hoyt!