MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE WORLD TOURNAMENT COUNCIL
HELD ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 1ST AND 2ND AUGUST 2009
AT THE DELTA SOUTH HOTEL, CALGARY, CANADA
PRESENT
Bob Corson Chairman and PanAm Confederation
Jeffry Armstrong Pan Am Confederation
Peter Person Pan Am Confederation
Stefan Rauchenwald EAME Confederation
Gillian Hill EAME Confederation
Candido Moz EAME Confederation
Ron Fergusson AA Confederation
Bruce Cockburn AA Confederation
Murray Eade AA Confederation – not present on Saturday due to illness
Ageliki Andriopoulou Athletes Commission – present for majority of meeting - familiarisation
Kyle Eade Athletes Commission – present for part of meeting - familiarisation
Jim Grew Observing as Chair of the IWSF Disabled Council
CURRENT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ITEMS
Bob reminded the meeting that the TC had already agreed by internet voting to use a TWO year qualification for Individual skiers which would not differentiate between pregnancy or injury or any other reason for a season out of competition.
Seeding of skiers for the draw. The latest ranking list prevails. If not qualified by the latest list look at previous year, which then prevails, plus 25%. So if you have a score in the latest it is the one used, unless……… Then you go into the correct series, but first out – and not displacing any skier from that series. An addition to the series. Any additions to the series are drawn randomly.
For an overall ranked skier who is not on the individual event rankings lists (because of having only one score) shall be placed (added in) in the correct series for the scores from the overall performance, and then ski first out in that series. Going out first was seen as the penalty for having only one score in the current ranking list. They shall not displace any skiers from the already selected series.
It was noted that Rule 4.01 will change to cover the 2 year span and the weighting of the year
before.
The Chief Judge of the World Tournament asking if the Asian Championships were being run within this event. The TC had previously agreed to allow this as a side competition and the AA Confederation officials will take the results of the skiers and deal with it. However, it was noted that all Asian skiers must qualify for the Worlds.
At the Championship site Lakes 1 and 2 were different depths – so the boat wake is different – Chief Judge Dimos Alexopoulos asks if we can use more than 50 kilos as weights in the boat to make up the difference. In an attempt to give equal conditions the TC AGREED to put an additional 10 kilos of weight in the boat to make the wakes the same.
Rule 15.06 – clarification was needed before the competition. (see decision below)
TRICKS
A proposal to allow repair time in tricks if the skier’s equipment breaks after leaving the dock and before the entry into the course on the first pass was AGREED. The allotted repair time would be 3 minutes but only if the equipment breaks BEFORE the course on the first pass.
Rule 15.08 replace paragraph 4 as follows:-
There is no additional time given
for any repairs to equipment. (2008)
(2010) Between the start dock and the gate buoys on the first pass, if a skier notices that his equipment is damaged, the Event Judges may grant him 3 minutes to repair or change the broken equipment and to continue competing.
A proposal to abolish rule 15.15c was NOT AGREED.
A proposal to change rule 15.12 paragraph 8 was AGREED.
(2003 and 2010) With video timing, a completed trick shall be judged to have been in time if the part of the ski under the binder is on the water in the last frame picture.
At the Dubna World Cup and the World Games there had been issues with positional tricks at the beginning of the trick run. Both sets of officials ruled that if a trick is completed before the level of the trick buoys that it will be positional and out of course. Both sets of officials had also ruled that if the trick is completed after the level of the trick entry bouys that it should be counted as in course. Both sets of officials felt the wording in the rule book should be made more clear.
The TC deliberated on this and AGREED to make the following changes to Rule 15.06:
Positioning tricks at the start of a pass must be done before the entrance gate.
(2010)Any trick completed before the entry gate will be treated as a positional, out of course trick.
(2010)Any trick completed after the entry gate will be treated as an in course trick.
After passing the approximate position of the entry gates the beginning of the trick pass shall begin:
a) For a surface trick, at the first discernable rotation of the ski from the tracking direction (or position).
b) For a wake trick, at the earliest of the following to occur:
i. At the first discernable rotation of the ski from the tracking direction (or position) as the skier approaches the wake, or;
ii. When the ski under the binding of the leading foot leaves the water surface no longer supporting the weight of the skier, or;
iii. When the binding of the leading foot crosses the crest of the wake.
c. It is the skiers responsibility to start his pass within 15 metres after the entry gate buoys. Re-rides will not be granted for reasons caused by a skiers late start.
A suggestion to change the trick course buoys was NOT AGREED. The Athletes can ask for a trial of another method if they wish.
Pre-Turns The TC members were reluctant to make a decision that can harm the trick event, on the other hand we need to try to achieve a standard that all skiers must meet and that all judges can recognise.
Ageliki said the skiers feel that “popping off an edge” in wake tricks should be how it is defined. Video could be used to show what this means for the judges. The ski has to be on the way up the wake, popping and rotating. A pre turn is when the skier starts to rotate BEFORE pushing up off the wake.
Further, the athletes felt and inadvertent tipping of the ski tip on the wake does not assist the skier and should not disallow the trick. This would be on 540 degree turns and upwards.
After discussion the following change to Rule 15.19b) was AGREED.
15.19b) A wake turn not executed in mid-air and across the crest of the wake scores 0. It is not scored as a water turn.
The ski will edge towards the wake, then the push/pop comes first then the rotation, or the push/pop and rotation come at the same time. The rotation cannot come before the push/pop.
An inadvertent touch of the water
with the ski tip during the rotation is acceptable on tricks with 540 degrees
or more of rotation. No part of the ski
shall touch the water between the point of the initial lift out of the water
and the landing. (2007)
Also to add to Rule 15.19b)
Definition of a Pre-turn
A pre-turn is a turn off of a flat ski where the push/pop comes after the
rotation has started.
All of these determinations are to be made in real time with no stop or
slow motion based on the judges best judgment and impression of the turn.
SLALOM
Falling on an (unscored) warm up pass in slalom
The TC AGREED that a warm up pass is just that, and if the skier falls then so be it – there was no sanction and he could continue on with his next (scored) pass.
Protection of a score in slalom when the reride was for weather or bad conditions.
There was a protracted debate on this issue, however, consensus was finally reached and it was AGREED to add a sentence to Rule 8.02 as follows:-
When unfair conditions or a malfunction of the tournament committee-supplied equipment occurs, which, in the opinion of a majority of the Event Judges, adversely affects a contestant, he shall be granted the option of a reride only on the passes affected.
(2010) In the case of optional re-rides the score may only be protected for failure of tournament supplied equipment or under those circumstances explicitly defined in these rules.
JUMP
Candido Moz has completely revised the whole of Rule 13 and incorporated all the changes into one new rule which was an improvement on the existing rule in the IWSF Rule Book which had been changed and added to so many times. This text was reviewed by the TC and APPROVED.
However, the jump re-ride chart which was included needed further research, although the TC accepted the principles proposed therein. The chart would be finalized between Candido and Bob and included in the revised Rule 13.
TIMING
The new rules set up for 2009 have shown that the times for 57 kph jumping are working well and there have been few bad examples of boat times. It was therefore AGREED to change the last but one paragraph of Rule 13.04 to read
For Record Capability, Ranking List and Elite events the published 3 segment times for 57 kph must be used for distances over 60 metres (men). For distances below 60m (men), the 1st segment tolerance check is not required. Segments 1+2 and 3 must be in tolerance in all cases except as otherwise noted in the rules (less than maximum speed).
For 54 kph we have fewer samples – and they seem to show the boat needs to speed up in the first segment. For 54 Ageliki suggested we change the tolerance to allow the same swing as PP was producing before ZO. Now we have some numbers that we can use to change the chart to include the old PP swing. Ultimately felt we should continue to record the numbers for a further year. Also suggested that a female athlete is found to investigate and understand the differences at 54 kph. No change for the moment to the rules for women at 54kph.
When a given time is wrong it is up to the driver and the boat judge to make a decision to adjust the letter to bring the times in tolerance.
HOMOLOGATION OF COMPETITIONS WORLDWIDE
EAME had made a proposal that every competition in the world which wishes to have results on the World Ranking List or the Elite Ranking List should submit an homologation dossier to the IWSF (or the Confederation TC) within a certain time frame after the competition. This should be REQUIRED in order for the event scores to be included in the Rankings Lists.
The TC agreed with the principle of this proposal and AGREED that from November 1st 2009 homologation dossiers needed to be filed with IWSF (in a place and format to be determined by Bob) within 30 days of the end of competition.
Also results can be filed on line in results format or scorebook.
Bob would send round a DRAFT of what he would be asking for in this new dossier.
The data submission varied between the Confederations and all would be required to come into line to give this information in the format required in the rule book.
The TC accepted this would not be an easy transposition but it was necessary for the sport to move forward.
WORLD RECORD ADMINISTRATION
There had been considerable debate about Record Approval and administration on the WTC discussion board. There were a number of different ideas floated and discussed and there clearly was a problem especially with Trick records where the TC had already identified many different judging standards throughout the world. Bob had prepared a lengthy dossier on the whole issue which included the checks he carried out when a record application was received.
Given the major issue was with trick record approval he proposed to the TC a process based on the following rationale:
1. By using more judges than a normal panel, we get a statistically better result.
2. By using a world wide panel we get a global perspective of what is acceptable
3. We are using the sheets from the tournament judges so they are not being discounted or ignored
4. I suggest taking one less from the tournament region because I did not want any one region to have a double vote since in most cases, those judges will be from that region. I did take 2 because the judges at the tournament had somewhat more difficult conditions in that they had to do it in the tournament.
5. The judging will be in real-time with an additional immediate review, just like a tournament.
6. We can use my pre-existing software system from the trick study, and my new trick scoring system to make this semi-automatic.
This method broadens the scope of the review and gives a definitive process that can be repeated in a fixed time frame. The judgment is being made by selected 1st class judges and represents a global view of what is happening in judging. We know that there are differences and variations in acceptability and by taking the majority of 13 judgments, we getting a broader view from trick judging as practiced world wide.
This gives importance to the actual event judges that has not necessarily been considered as heavily in the recent past with boat video. Before boat video, the on site judges were relied on as the overriding opinion unless there was an obvious error which had to be very obvious since the video was a shore video.
Here is my specific suggestion on the size of the record review panel and the rationale:
When a record is submitted, the TC Chair will convene a panel of judges to re-judge the run.
If the original panel was 3 judges, the convened panel will be 10 more judges, 2 from the region where the tournament was held plus 3-5 from the other regions. These judges will be nominated by the Region TC Chair. These 10 judges’ scores will be combined with the 3 tournament judges to give 13 sheets. Each trick has to have 7 judges give it credit to pass.
If the original panel was 5 judges then 16 more
Rationale - panel to include original judge sheets
If three judges all said credit then additional 10 judges have to vote 7-3 n/c to overturn
If five judges all said credit then additional 16 judges have to vote 11-5 n/c to overturn
An example of how this would work:
|
Host |
Panel from PA |
Panel from EAME |
Panel from AA |
Total |
|
5 EAME |
6 |
4 |
6 |
21 |
|
3 PAN AM |
2 |
4 |
4 |
13 |
To be judged in honesty at normal speed and a decision on each trick yes or no.
The trick review panel will be as balanced as possible between the regions.
This process as proposed by Bob and described above was AGREED with Jeffry wishing her vote against to be noted.
The TC Chair from each Region is required to supply a list of 10 names to Bob who they propose as their Trick Record Review Judges in our new regime. We hope that using this larger body for review will be a completely fair way of dealing.
It was further proposed that Overall records are subject to the same scrutiny as each individual event. This was AGREED by majority.
Neither of these Rule changes can be retroactive. All pending records would be reviewed under the rules in place at the time they were set.
DISALLOWED RECORDS
A proposal came from EAME that when a record is disallowed the score should be put down to one increment below the existing World record for the Rankings List. This proposal was AGREED.
NEW WORLD RECORDS
A record application from Clementine Lucine FRA of 8840 points in Tricks was APPROVED by majority voting. This record was set at the Trick Jam competition on 28th April 2009 at Lake Hancock, USA.
A record application from Clementine Lucine FRA of 8930 points in Tricks set on 9th May at the Mothers Day competition at Ski Paradise, Florida was disallowed.
A record application from Regina Jacquess USA of 2934.36 overall points set on 18th July at the Guadalajara International competition at Short Line Lakes, Florida had been APPROVED by the Judges on site and was ratified by the Tournament Council.
TEAM SIZE – World Junior and World U21 Championships
A proposal had been received to increase the number of team skiers in the World Junior Championships and World Under 21 Championships to six (instead of the current 4).
There were concerns expressed over finance for Federations at this time of global economic crisis. It was therefore AGREED to send out a questionnaire to Federations asking their opinion. Bob to action.
INDIVIDUAL SKIERS – World Junior and World U21 Championships
A request to increase the number of Individual skiers in the World Junior and World U21 championships was AGREED as follows:-
Under JUNIOR COMPETITION RULES
4.01 item 2 Skiers not selected for their national teams may qualify to compete in the Junior World Championships if they are ranked on the IWSF Junior World Rankings List in the top eight (8) girls and ten (10) boys in any event and the top five (5) girls and boys in overall.
Under IWSF Under 21 Division Championships – replace the second paragraph under a)
Skiers not selected for their national teams may qualify to compete in the U21 World Championships if they are ranked on the IWSF World Rankings List in the top eight (8) ladies and ten (10) men in any event and the top five (5) ladies and men in overall.
This rule change was AGREED unanimously and will take immediate effect, therefore being valid for the 2009 World U21 Championships in Mexico.
WORLD PICOLINO CHAMPIONSHIPS
A request had been received from a Federation to establish a World Picolino Championships for Under 13 skiers. The unanimous feeling of the EAME TC was against this idea as a World Titled event. However, there was no reason not to encourage international events for Under 13’s.
It was agreed to ask the Federations their opinion alongside the Junior questions (see above).
SENIORS / VETERANS Championship name
Having agreed last year to change to Veteran there has been a strong reaction against this title. The EAME Confederation believes the WTC should reconsider its decision from last year.
It was AGREED the IWSF Executive Board be asked to give their opinion from the marketing point of view. After which a decision needed to be made.
Subsequently the WTC agreed to change the name of the Championships to the 35+ Championships – with three categories 35+, 45+ and 55+.
ADDITION OF 65 PLUS AGE GROUP INTO THE WORLD SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS.
A petition has been received and sent to Bob from the skiers present at the World Senior Trophy 2008 for the addition of a 65 plus age group. Having reviewed the participation level of 65 and over skiers within each of the Confederations it did not seem, at this stage, appropriate to add another division.
A further request had been received to have two full rounds of competition at the World 35+ Championships. This request did not find favour with any of the WTC members and would therefore not be actioned at this time.
TIES FOR MEDAL POSITIONS
Bob had asked if we wished to review the tie rules for medal places. The TC AGREED they did not wish to see any changes to the existing rules where ties for medal places are run off.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF BOAT MAKE, TYPE and SPEED CONTROL
Murray said our rules were pretty clear on when these announcements should be made. The TC agreed the announcement dates must be met in future and to this end they would include Rule 10.01 in the Obligations for the Tournament.
The TC further agreed to REMOVE items f) and g) from Rule 10.01
Rule 10.01
e) A maximum of 4 different makes and models of boats shall be chosen from among those boats approved by the IWSF Tournament Council in accordance with the obligations. A minimum of two identical boats must be made available for each make and model chosen. The IWSF Tournament Council and the IWSF Federations shall be notified of the choice of boats at least 6 months before the start of the tournament and which boat shall pull each event 3 months before the start of the tournament. Full information (engine size, prop pitch, etc.) on each boat shall be published a minimum of 3 months before the start of the tournament.
This rule will be added to the Obligations for the Tournament
f) The boats
must be equipped with adequate two-way radios.
g) The boats
must be equipped with at least two accurate speed measuring devices operating
on separate pickup tubes.
It was noted that the boat for the World U21 Championships in Mexico will be the new Correct Craft 200. The WTC had already decreed that practice must be made available for all skiers at reasonable cost for at least two weeks in advance.
SHARED EQUIPMENT / PIN PERSON
What if two skiers are sharing equipment and found themselves drawn next to one another. Or one skier is pin person for the skier drawn in front of him?
The World TC felt this was usually a problem at lower level competitions and did not feel it appropriate to make a ruling for such circumstances. The officials on the day should work this out out as best they can.
RULE BOOK TIDY UP
Rule 2.05 – a small change AGREED by the WTC.
The day before the start of a preliminary round the entry list shall be closed and thereafter the order of contestants will be finalised and posted. No change in this order is allowed except that a team representative may: ………….
Third bullet, change to
- The substitute skier shall start first in the seed in which he is qualified unless the starting list has not yet been completed.
Protests shall be made to the Chief Judge only by a team representative and shall be considered by the Appointed Judges. Protest must be made in writing, must state the reason(s) for the protest and quote the relevant rule number(s), and must be filed as soon as possible, but no later than 30 minutes after the results of the event are announced and the Judges scoring forms are available for inspection.
Rule 15.11
A rope wrapped around the pylon and held by the release person may be used as a release mechanism. No more than approximately 1 meter of rope may extend from the pylon. The rope shall not have knots or splices in the 1 meter section for safety reasons. The release person may not adjust or move the rope in any way to take up slack or allow extra length. He must hold it in one position or release it. Using the rope to aid the skier will subject the skier to disqualification.(2004)
Rule 15.12
This rule needs re-arranging to remove all reference to other than video timing.
START OF COURSE FOR ZERO OFF IN JUMPING
The issue of the GPS start of course detection has been raised by several different groups.
All feel it really is important for the boat to start at the start of course, not somewhere near – and that we should mandate this to be so. Of course it is accepted that even a magnet will still not be 100 % accurate, but it would start the course in the same place for all skiers.
Bob had written to ZO them asking specific questions about where the system starts- so far he has no response. He would keep the WTC members advised of progress and this discussion would continue via the internet.
INSTANT AND FINAL TRICK RESULTS
The TC was under pressure to achieve instant and final trick results at major tournaments. Bob had tried his new scoring programme in Malaysia and it worked reasonably well, but he feels we are pushing uphill against the wishes of the skiers. There is no sanction against judges who fail to perform properly and the skiers lack trust in the judges. There are also the proven differences in judging standards to take into account. At this moment we can keep trying new systems at special events – but there was no feeling to make a general change for all tournaments.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Stefan was pleased to propose that Bob Corson retains his role as Chairman of the WTC. This was agreed unanimously. It was noted, however, that Bob had been on the Council since 1977 and has been chairman since 1982! In the interests of succession (and not coming to a complete standstill in the event of an accident to Bob), Stefan suggested Bob does his best to hand over some tasks to the various TC members. The TC members announced their willingness to take over some tasks to ease Bob’s workload.
There being no further business to conduct, Bob thanked the members for their time and work during this meeting and throughout the year. He also thanked Gill for taking the notes of this meeting.
Meeting sessions
Saturday 1st August 1300 to 1900 hours
Sunday 2nd August 0900 to 1800 hours