Youth and Junior Draft-Legal Team

Are you a strong competitor in the local triathlons?

Would you like to compete with athletes your age?

USA Triathlon produces a National Development Series of races as an opportunity for our nation's top young triathletes (13 to 19) to interact with one another and to learn how to compete so they may be prepared for higher levels of competition.

These races are very competitive and exciting! These races are held in Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Iowa.

The format in these races is “draft-legal,” meaning that athletes are permitted to draft on the bike. Our team works carefully to provide the knowledge and skill to safely participate in these events. This is the same format used in the NCAA Women’s Triathlon, as well as the Olympics! It is IMPERATIVE that athletes work with a High Performance Development coach BEFORE entering these events. Bike skills are a must. Athletes should be able to do flying mounts, into their shoes, dismount barefoot, ride closely with other cyclists and understand the dynamics of draft-legal racing.

Coach Kim works with each athlete on an individual basis to determine the athlete’s readiness to compete in these events. Athletes who are on the Draft-Legal team are self-motivated and self-disciplined. Most athletes typically swim on a local swim team or practice with their HS cross-country team, but that is not required. Additional workouts are provided to prepare athletes for competition are provided on-line via an app called “Training Peaks.”

The primary trait Coach Kim is looking for is an athlete who is self-motiviated, driven and disciplined.

Competitive Draft-Legal Team

Athletes are required to submit documented times for swim and run.

  • Athletes must own a road bike with odometer. Power meters are strongly encouraged. Odometers are required.

  • We will teach you how to handle your bike safely in a pack, complete flying mounts/dismounts with shoes attached to bike.

  • Athletes must be self-disciplined, self-motivated to train on their own in addition to current team practices such as XC or swim team.

  • Own a Garmin watch and upload all workouts to Training Peaks.

  • Internally motivated to succeed.

  • Be processed focused.

  • By the winter of their first season, have ability to monitor power on an indoor trainer.

  • Parents must follow the Parent-Coach-Athlete Triad.

  • Parents and Athletes must exhibit exceptional sportsmanship.

  • Most importantly, exhibit strong bike handling skills.