AUDAX ALTITUDE AWARD
AAA Archive
New AAA points system
Following an article in the November 2008 Arrivee, a
discussion on the Audax email group and on YACF, comments received directly
from members, and discussions and advice at the AGM, a poll of AAA organisers
and riders took place.
There was a very clear majority, the ratio was 70:30, in favour of changing to
a system of a point per thousand metres of climbing (to the nearest 1/4
point). The main reasons given were simplicity, clarity, to make an AAA point
'mean' something, and to give more emphasis to the longer events.
So the new system was introduced from the 2009 season onwards.
AAA events still have to do the same amount of climbing as before to qualify for points. They haven't got any easier. A 100k event still has to climb 1500m, a 200k event 2800m etc. before any points are scored.
The pre-2009 AAA Formula
Prior to the 2009 season when the current scheme was introduced, AAA points were calculated based on the rate of climb rather than the amount of climb, and used this formula for events of less than 300km:
P = (c - (d * 14) + ((d-100)*(d-100)/100)) / 400
Where: P = AAA points for the distance, to be rounded to the nearest ¼ point
c = total metres climbed
d = distance in kilometers
In other words, an event scored 1/4 AAA point for doing the qualifying amount of climbing and and additional 1/4 point for each additional 100m of climbing. For example, the qualifying amount of climbing for a 100km event is 1500m, so an event climbing this amount scored 1/4 AAA point. If it climbs 1600m it scored 1/2 AAA point. The qualifying amount of climbing for a 200km event is 2,800m, so an event climbing this amount scored 1/4 AAA point. If it climbs 2,900m, it scored 1/2 AAA point. And so on.
For longer distances the formula no longer worked after changes made for the 2001 season increased the qualifying climbing for events of 300km and above. For example, a 600km event had to climb 6,000m before 2001, and 7,000m from 2001, to score 1/4 point.
The pre-2009 Audax Altitude Award
Before the points change at the start of the 2009 season, this award was obtained by accumulating 12 AAA points (now 20 points).
The pre-2009 Roll of Honour in the Handbook
Before the points change at the start of the 2009 season, people who had obtained 8 or more AAA points in a season were listed (now 12 points or more).
Previous AAA Badges
3xAAA badge to April 2011
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If you have any queries, please contact the AAA Man: steve.snook@tiscali.co.uk
Page last updated: 08 June 2011