PRESENT
Bob had compiled the agenda from the points raised by the Regions and it was agreed to work through in the order circulated. This is listed in appendix A.
A number of additional items were tabled.
Jump records / Speed Control
Bob had floated the idea of bringing this forward
earlier than the already agreed date of January 1998 - however,
the season was now over and it was agreed to leave the implementation
to the date previously agreed.
Region EAME had suggested that if new records were
to be established under Speed Control it might be an idea to also
implement mandatory use of video jump measurement at the same
time and remove the 2.1 metres add on. There was general agreement
not to establish new jump records - they will just continue. The
majority were in favour of leaving the records as they are - but
now requiring speed control in order for any new record to be
set. Mandatory use of video jump measurement was not agreed.
Speed Control at this World Championships
Will Bush the Chief Driver had been testing the boats
and speed control - the altitude has a significant effect on the
boats - and at this time they cannot guarantee that speed control
will work here for men's jump. This is because power is down
on the boats, however, the TC felt this would be the same for
manual driving or speed control.
After discussion unanimous agreement was reached
that speed control would be used for all events including men's
jump. This information would be made public immediately..
Processing of Trick Records
The TC were not satisfied with the current methods
which take a very long time and which are unfair to the skiers.
Region EAME had suggested that trick records be handled totally
by the judges at the site and they have to take the responsibility
of their actions. The event judges will review the tape and
re-judge the two passes at normal speed, check the times and scoring
and would declare a record (or not) at the event. The review
sheets and the video tape and the judges names will be made public.
They will then send the video tape and sheets to Bob for a gross
error check.
Should the score be amended on review then this new
score would be the one used for the Ranking List. However, the
original score will stand for the tournament score.
Several European officials were working on a freeze
frame video for the last trick in time and Bob would be kept aware
of developments.
World Cup Rules
At the last TC meeting it was agreed that all World
Cup events should be L or R capability. We thought these were
top events which deserved this status, however, this came to be
not the case and some are on really bad sites where ranking is
not an issue.
This was a political issue more than technical in
most cases - the TC have no control over which sites are used
- and it was important to hold the events in the public eye.
The TC agreed World Cup events should normally be
L or R capability with 5 judges, however, an organiser may apply
for exception where technical issues cannot be met. If the site
was good enough to achieve L or R then no leeway would be given.
Terry Dorner has suggested the formation of a rules
committee for the World Cup - Bob does not feel this is necessary.
Perhaps there were organisation rules which need clarifying but
the technical rules should come through here.
Jump speed interpretation for manual driving
Bob has published some words which are generally accepted.
See appendix B
Now speed control was in general use there may be
a need to change the wording of the rules to accommodate machine
operation. The manufacturers needed to work within the spirit
of the rules.
The TC would monitor the need for changes as they
occurred.
Three Jumps
The rules addendum would be changed to include our
previous decision to allow three jumps in all rounds. Agreed
that some skiers may not be aware of this and it would be published
at this Championships.
Three Station Homologation Survey
Region EAME have asked for this requirement to be
dropped in the belief that two stations are quite enough for a
survey.
After discussion it was agreed to allow two station
surveys for L tournaments and still require 3 stations for R tournaments.
A visual check confirming the straightness of the course must
be made.
World officials appointments
The TC feel it is appropriate for the IWSF President
to formally notify the officials of their appointment by letter.
Bob would ask the President to do this.
Rule 13.15
The wording in the jump timing chart did not quite
agree with the wording of the rules. The TC reviewed the chart
and made the following changes:-
S F mandatory if best distance, otherwise optional with protected score.
F S no change
F F no change
Bob would review the working of the rule and circulate
amendments if felt necessary.
Rule 15.15c
Change "granted "in second sentence to
"made". Agreed
Rule 14.01
Region EAME had suggested the 3 minute broken equipment
rule was unnecessary and could be removed. The majority were not
in favor of change.
Overall Points scoring
Region EAME were suggesting the use of a set of overall points based on the current World records.
Bob had already issued an overall ranking list using
points from one tournament only and this had found favor with
skiers. The TC agree this should be the method of ranking overall
for the future.
Bob had circulated a paper on the Olympic format
and the issues of "paper competitions". The TC could
consider a separate overall competition with the top 4 or 5 male
and female skiers skiing a separate round for overall. All like
the concept very much indeed and it would be an excellent event.
This can be promoted as a World rule variation for
competitions where the organisers wish to try it.
Overall records - yes, we like the concept, but realise
we can't fix it here today. Agreed to establish a group of people
to work with this - Alain, Jeffrey, Ron and Brenda were appointed
and asked to come back to the next TC meeting with a definitive
proposal for overall competition and overall records.
Proposed Overall Event Format (added after
meeting - in spirit with the discussion)
The overall event shall consist of a final round only with each competitor receiving one round in each of the three events, slalom, tricks, and jump. Separate men's and women's divisions will be held. In a normal (World Championship rules) tournament, the contestants with the top 4 overall scores from the preliminary rounds of the event competitions will advance to the overall final. The start order in each of the three events shall remain the same which shall be the reverse of the overall placement in the preliminary round. The contestants shall slalom first according to all of the rules of the slalom event. This will be followed by tricks and finally jump. (In the spirit of the rules, the optional lower heights of the jump should be allowed, if requested, which would potentially change the start order of the jump portion. If possible this should be avoided - potentially the top overall skiers will all be using the higher ramp setting.) The skier with the highest overall score based on performances in this round only shall be the winner. Any tie will be resolved by first using the jump score as a tiebreaker. If they are tied, then the tricks score will be used as a tiebreaker. If there is still a tie, then they must also have tied in slalom and the tie will be resolved by a runoff in the jump event.
The overall event will normally consist of both a men's and woman's event. They will run together in that the running of the events will be women's slalom then men's slalom followed by women's tricks and then men's tricks followed by women's jump and then men's jump.
The event scores produced in this overall event will
in no way be used for team scores.
Potential options for non-World Championships rules events.
World Under 21 Championships
This is not really a TC matter but EAME wished to
give their support to the idea. The EB will make the decision
on this, not us. The aim is to achieve a developmental age championships.
Single Wire Floating Courses
Proposed words from EAME as requested -
Buoy support structure is rigid.
Buoy support structure is independent of but attached to the cable
The structure guarantees that the line of the three buoys in perpendicular to the wire.
The centre cable must be taut to assure a straight
line.
Alain drew a diagram to explain how these courses
were constructed and information on how to construct these courses
would be published.
Addition to 15.11 Trick release
The AA Region were suggesting we make some allowance for a trick release which disintegrates or completely breaks!! The TC agreed the following wording would be used:
"If the tournament supplied release breaks and
is no longer usable the event officials may grant a re-ride."
Homologation Dossiers
Region AA requested the submission time for homologation
dossiers be extended to 30 days. This was accepted. Bob has
been trying to achieve an electronic homologation dossier registration,
but this is not yet proving very popular.
The aim is to make the dossiers available for public
scrutiny. It was agreed Bob would alter the web dossier to show
it just as a check list - rather than a full dossier with start
list, results, etc…
The TC welcomed Andres Botero to the meeting. He
welcomed the TC to Colombia and hopes that we have a great championships.
We are in a changing world and a changing sport and we must
continue to progress for the future.
The new TC address list would be circulated.
Speed Control for L Capability events
Bob had received a letter from the American Association
which requested a delay in the mandate for speed control for L
capability tournaments for 1998. The main reason for this is
that of lack of product liability for the existing speed control
systems. Bob suggested and it was agreed that we establish a
limitation on the top scores for non speed control events - no
scores over 6 @ 11.25 metres for men, 6 @ 12 for women - jump
55 metres for men and 40 metres for women. To be a one year exemption
only for the 1998 season.
This was a possible solution for the Moomba Masters
where outboards are used.
World Cup rules
Region AA believed world cup rules should allow 1.65
metre jumping if that is what the skiers want and the IWSF Rules
allow it. This is a problem with the US Pro Tour who only have
men 6 ft jumping. The other World Cup events did allow 1.65 jumping.
The TC believed World Cup events must allow 1.65 m jumping for
men.
Records
All three regions agreed the record application from
Cory Pickos for 11680 points is good and all tricks were in time.
Record accepted - set at Mulberry Florida on 10 May 1997.
Jeff Rodgers - 5 @ 10.25 metres Bob has checked this
and has accepted this as a new world record set on 30 August 1997
at Trophy Lakes Charleston. An application for 1 @ 9.75 metres
is still pending as he cannot see the 9 metre pass on the tape,
he will try to get it enhanced otherwise he can accept 6 at 10.25
metres as the record.
Members of the TC would be interested to learn more
about the design of these good sites for slalom. What was the
best design, depth, etc which makes for good performances.
Slalom Scoring
pg 54 after 2nd para third case give skier what he actually scored
i.e. asked 14.25, got 16, 3rd choice take
16 score and go to 14.25
Handles
Handle measurement so that once handle is measured
it is in control of the tournament until the skier skis.
Joined by Brenda Nichols 3pm.
Jump re-rides
To receive any consideration of a reride request
for conditions before the 180m, the skier must throw the handle
before entering the course. Once having taken the jump the skier
loses all right to a re-ride for conditions before the 180 m buoy.
Athlete's section
Conflict of interest in an event
No conflict allowed on cash prize tournaments
Strong recommendation all other L and R
This would be included in the additional rules
For speed control - when it cuts out or fails to
operate or is a deviation from normal operation (i.e. a malfunction)
the skier is entitled to a re-ride for failure of equipment and
can improve the score. This needs to be referenced in the rules
so judges are aware of the difference between slow time and malfunction.
Creation of World Overall record
We have set a sub committee to work on this and come
up with a proposal for next meeting.
Slalom gates - new format
Clint Stadlbaur suggested form entry buoys as an
experiment - we would like someone to experiment and see how it
goes. Try it out and report back.
Jump course
The skiers are requesting a 210 m buoy - in addition
to 180 and 150. The TC agreed to make this an option now and
give tolerances - colour yellow.
Homologation guidelines for video jump
We need to have some guidelines for all the relevant
systems - but they are guidelines. Bob will prepare these.
All buoy timing
This works well with the Haggard system, but Eric
Horton from Perfect Pass does not feel it is necessary. Brenda
feels it will always work to the skiers advantage but knows it
will be a nightmare to administer. It does assist the speed control
to give a consistent speed.
We must aim for zero re-rides.
Agreed we will NOT proceed with 8 buoy timing.
The eventual goal of the TC was to have a system
of speed control which did not require fall buttons nor any other
button pushing, weighing skiers, etc.
Trying to cheat the machine once a buoy was missed
comes under the unsportsmanlike conduct rules.
Use of competition site before a World Championships
Jeffrey believes the Championship site should be
closed one week before the tournament to stop the problem of some
teams training at the site when others did not have this available
to them. This is the first Worlds without familiarisation and
this has been an issue here. However, business is business and
the site owners can do what they wish. We have little control
over it.
Request from team captains for numbers in finals
Bruce reported on a written request from all team
captains at the World Juniors to increase the numbers in the finals.
However, the TC agreed to stick with 8 skiers and try to progress
the Under 21 or Under 23 as an extra part of the World Juniors.
Seniors rules
Proposal from Pan Am to increase Senior 1 mens jump
to optional 1.65m ramp height - no change in speed proposed.
- Agreed.
Officials Nominations
Andres has requested in future that nominations for
Chief Judge are submitted by each Region.
Rankings
Andres would like the World Ranking List published
closer to the World Championships - i.e. July, however, we feel
it can't be handled administratively at this time.
The TC agreed to extend the number of Overall ranking
skiers at the World Championships to the top 5 men and top 5 women.
A suggestion to limit the number of skiers in a final
to 8 only was not accepted.
A suggestion from Max Kirwan regarding the use of
the World Championships to stage sub region events - i.e. the
Asian Championships - does not find favour with the TC but the
EB will discuss it.
Trick sheet submission
The TC reached unanimous agreement that the submission
for trick sheets applies to each series. So the officials will
set a time for each series of skiers to submit their lists. This
interpretation would become effective immediately.
Trick weighting
The boat will be weighted for tricks by 50 kilos for this World Championship tournament. 20kg each side and 10kg to be used for balance..
This is considered acceptable.
Election of the Chairman
The TC voted unanimously in favour of Bob Corson
continuing as Chairman of the TC.
There being no further business the Chairman thanked
the members for attending and for their work for the TC and formally
declared the meeting closed.
Ad hoc meetings to discuss any specific subjects
may be held during the week of the Championships.
Sunday, September 21 ad hoc meeting minutes.
1997 IWSF TC Meeting Agenda (as of 6/30/97)
WORLD TC ITEMS FROM EAME TC MEETING
- JULY 1997
Dear Bob,
The EAME TC met in early July to discuss
items for the World TC meeting. The following is a resume of
our discussions:-
Change 13.01 and 13.05 to three jumps
in the prelim round. Already agreed - just not correct in
the rules addendum.
Note: I believe that Gill said that we could delete the next item as it is outdated, but I wanted to circulate it in the committee first.
Speed control
The problems of utilisation of speed
control in Europe were discussed. The models are outdated as
soon as we buy them! It was accepted that the manufacturers are
trying to improve and develop so there is no way we can keep up
to date. In the long term most favour buoy to buoy timing - but
if speed control fails then it is impossible to hand time - so
this needs careful discussion.
The immediate problem was for the World
Championships where Bob says it will be used in all events. It
is known there could be a problem with some of the top jump skiers
who may refuse to ski under speed control. All agree that we must
have an answer in advance - not leave this to a boycott at the
Worlds. Gunther as Chief Judge needed to know what must happen
and it was agreed he would make contact with Bob direct.
The EAME TC was not in favour of using
speed control for jump at the World Championships because of lack
of training, frequent changes, new parameters, etc.
Jump records with speed control
For jump records under speed control
the TC believes the new records should be established from 1998
as previously decided - not now as had been suggested.
Jump records with video camera measurement
Given that new records would be established
with speed control, it was felt this was an ideal time to also
use the actual distance of the jump as recorded by the video cameras
with no 2.1 metre add on. It was preferable to make all the changes
at one time rather than establish new records with speed control
one year, and then actual distance another.
Trick record review
All agreed with Bob Corson that the
current system was cumbersome, time consuming and, ultimately
unsatisfactory given the quality of the videos after conversion.
The EAME suggestion is that the review
process of trick records is put into the hands of the judges for
the competition at which the record was set. It will be their
responsibility to review the video tape during (or at the conclusion
of) the competition to check the performance of the tricks. Those
officials will then sign their sheets and the record affidavit
which will be published for all to see alongside the video tape.
Should they revise the score of the run then this will be the
score used for the Rankings List, but the tournament score will
not change.
We believe this responsibility will
be taken very seriously by the event officials given that their
names and decisions will be very public.
Three station homologation survey
Goran Anderson had written to Bob Corson on this subject. The EAME TC concurred with the points he makes and wish the World TC to carefully review the need for a three station survey.
World officials - appointments
We need to find a better system for
notification of selected officials to World titled events. Many
selected this year did not ever hear officially from the IWSF.
Rule 13.15
The reride chart does not agree with
the text of the rule. F - F should be MR only when best distance.
Also it was felt there is a problem
with S - F where there is a MR only when best distance. The skier
is disadvantaged because of SLOW so it should be MR only.
Rule 15.15 c
Change "granted" in second
sentence to "made". Reasoning - the Chief Judge would
be asking himself for permission!
Rule 14.01
Proposal to delete the 3 minute equipment repair.
But 14.15 to stay in - this is a different
rule.
Overall points scoring
We wish to propose (again) to use the
EAME overall scoring system which would allow us to establish
a World Overall record. The scoring system would be based on
the current World record scores and reviewed annually.
World Under 21 Championships
The EAME TC is in favour of the suggestion
to establish a World Under 21 Championships which it believes
will help to keep skiers involved in our sport. The problem will
be which year to hold it - the calendar is already very full.
Single wire floating courses
At the request of the World TC the EAME TC suggests the following words be used:
Single wire courses are allowed where:
Buoy support structure is rigid
Buoy support structure is independent of but attached to the cable
The structure garantees that the line of the three buoys is perpendicular to the wire
The centre cable must be taut to assure
a straight line.
Athlete Council Input
1. Conflict of interest:
At tournaments there has been officials judging an
event that their child was competing in. This is not right, especially
when it is an international cash-prize event.
Solution:
Disallow judging by immediate family members (i.e.
parent, child, sibling, spouse) to competitor in that event.
2. Inconsistent set down time between passes:
Several athletes discussed and felt strongly that
in any event where there is a break between passes, the break
or down time should be the same for all skiers. This is already
done is tricks with the 30 second rule. But in slalom and jump,
there has been problems with different skiers getting drastically
different down times. In particular, after a skier asked for
a reride for rough water the boat crew, from the chief judge's
instruction, waited at least 2 minutes before the skier took the
reride. All the other skiers were getting only 30 seconds. It
appeared as a case of favoritism.
Solution:
Require that chief judge determine what the set down
time should be in advance of the event and have boat judge make
sure it's being followed exactly.
3. Rounds with 2 jumps.
We believe that Rounds with just two jumps are dangerous.
With only two, if the Skier has to pass or crashes on the first
one, he/she has to go for broke on the second - and that is where
jumpers get hurt. It also tends to produce shorter distances.
We know that there may be a time problem at some events - but
then we would prefer to see less jumpers rather than just two
jumps per jumper. The build up for the Spectators is much better
with three.
Solution:
Require that all rounds of jump consists of three
jumps.
4. Getting a full buoy in slalom even if you let go of the rope.
Getting a full buoy by skiing back to the wake and
letting go of the handle to avoid the slack is not the same as
riding it out. We feel that to score a full buoy you have to hold
on and ski past the next boat guides.
Solution:
Change wording of rule.XX.XXX
5. Slalom equipment repair:
Currently, if a binding breaks or screw comes out during your set you must continue skiing. This is dangerous and unfair. In jump you are allowed 3 min. to repair the damage to a binding or fin. slalom rule should be the same.
There really is no advantage to cheat and take 3
minutes to fix a broken ski since slalom skiing relies on continuity
to ski well.
Discussion topics:
Should skier be required to run the whole pass to be able to repair and come back out at next rope length?
What if equipment breaks mid course?
Potential Solution:
Allow equipment repair as in jump. Make sure 2 simulation
passes are run before skier goes back out on the water (see issue
#2).
6. Speed Control:
Rerides when the system malfunctions as opposed to just running slow - at boat judge's discretion - should skier be allowed to improve? Yes.
Extra rules? Bob - this is your forte!
All buoy timing?
7. Creation of overall world record.
Agree
8. New format for slalom gates under investigation.
Clint Stadlbaur has put forth an idea to use high (40 cm) foam buoys at the gate to make it easier to judge the gates. The skier would hit the bouys (kind of like snow skiing) but since they are made of foam, it would not hurt.
Proceed to test? Any interest in this by the TC?
AA Region
On the 21st July I sent you agenda items
from AA, I will include them again
1 Addition to 15.11 trick release
2 Problem with technical requirements for world ranking tournaments,
unable to supply homologation dossier
within 7 days suggest 30 days.
3 Problem with ruling given for
world cup rules,(unable to jump at 1.65m
4 Cruise control for outboard
motors and ruling on 1st January 1998
5 World trick records for discussion
Pan Am Region
Here are the items that I would like to add to the agenda for the TC
meeting in Colombia:
Rule 14.14 paragraph 10: add....take
credit for the actual pass skied.
Homologation guidelines p. 72: delete
the word immediately
Add a rule to the jumping that would----waive any rerides for conditions
prior to the timing course if the skier
actually took a jump.....
Authorization for rerides in tricks for speed and path should be given to
the Boat Judge as in jumping(i.e. rule
13.09)
Thanks,
Jeffry
Couple of things today.
First, I neglected to mention previously that we'd
recommend adoption of "All Buoy" timing for slalom whenever
automatic timing systems are being used. I presume you've seen
the formalities of how that translates into the existing rule
"first segment" and "second segment" language,
based on the concensus score for each pass. If not, I'll dig
that out and send it to you. What this eliminates is the Fall/Fast
quandry mentioned in my other note to Charlotte of earlier today.
Given the relative lack of experience with this process, inclusion
of "enabling language" would probably be the best approach
for now.
While I've not personally experienced this myself,
I did have a lengthy discussion recently with a proponent, and
got satisfactory responses to all of my, "But what about
......." questions. Other than the inevitable learning curve
issues, sounds like it should work well. Mechanically implemented
in terms of today's systems, this can be accomplished without
requiring sponsors to buy any additional equipment, to my surprise.
Let me expound for a moment, if you've not heard this aspect
before. Most current Slalom timing implementations involve two
magnets on at each end, plus a 1-ball and 3-ball magnet going
each way -- total of eight magnets. The cute idea is to equip
the boat like you do for jumping, with coupled pickups on both
sides of the boat, then just re-organize the existing eight magnets
so that there's one on every gate, which would typically be down
just one side of the course. Then you get a trip at each gate,
going both directions. Then all you need is a smart watch or
a smart computer to analyze the data and report the pertinent
results.
Next, as to the added jump skier reference buoy mentioned
previously, I've chatted with a couple of the 210m buoy proponents,
and they all agree that the same 30m interval which is used between
the existing 150m and 180m buoys would be reasonable to extend
the reference area backwards. Probably better to just say its
at 210m, so that everybody does it the same way. Allowing local
options would just cause confusion.
Finally, here's the short version of the proposed
language on a Precision Standard for Video Jump measurement systems.
The original E-Mail note, which discusses this at more length,
follows.
-------------------------------------------------
The proposed operating rule is: Any video jump distance
measurement system must be configured such that the maximum differential
in jump distances which would result from one-pixel movements
on the video screen -- either of any of the required reference
point markers, or of the landing point marker itself -- and in
either the horizontal or vertical direction -- not exceed the
value "X" at any point in that "operating field
of view", which means the central 80% of the screen area.
The value of "X" would depend on the class of the tournament.
Here are the proposed values:
World Record (Class "R"): 10 cm.
Standing List (Class "L"): 15 cm.
Local Tournaments (Class "C")
20 cm.
As an aid to evaluating any proposed Corson Video
Jump System site configuration against this standard, the AWSA
Technical Committee has prepared a Video Jump System Planning
and Analysis model in the form of a spreadsheet template. Alternatively,
any actual setup can also be evaluated against this standard by
moving the reference markers and landing point markers, and observing
the reported changes in the calculated landing location which
results from such movements. Such manual evaluations need to
be systematically conducted, throughout the expected operating
range of the setup.
Manual Driving Interpretation
Guideline for Boat Judges for manual
Driving in the Jump Event
This guideline is meant to give some
more specific guidance to boat judges in the jump event.
First, the most important responsibility
the boat judge has is to the safety of the skier in monitoring
the water conditions and other potential safety hazards.
According to the rules, the driver should
be driving a constant speed in a straight line with no intentional
speed changes in order to enhance the skier's performance.
The boat judge needs to monitor the speed of the boat. The indicated boat speed should not be greater or less than 1km from the skier's selected speed. For purposes of this guideline we will focus on the speed not being more than 1km higher than the maximum speed allowed. The boat judge will monitor this by observing the speedometer for a few seconds at the appropriate critical times, such as during the cut to the ramp and during the counter-cut. As this is a guideline, the boat judge will have to use his best judgment. As an example, if the skier is pulling and the driver has given gas to compensate for the load and the skier unexpectedly or suddenly stops pulling and the speed jumps up and is then immediately corrected by the driver, this is probably not too great a cause of concern. If the driver is applying power and the speed is increasing and greater than 1 km greater than maximum while the skier is in the power portion of the cut or counter cut, this is definitely a problem.
If the boat judge observes such a problem,
he should inform the driver that it is a problem and ask the driver
to correct it. Also, if the judge feels that the skier has been
given an unfair advantage, he should, in accordance with the rules,
call for a mandatory reride. If the practice continues, the boat
judge should call the Chief Judge and inform him of the situation.
The Chief Judge should inform the driver that if he cannot drive
in accordance with the rules, he will be replaced. If the driver
needs further warnings, the Chief Judge will replace him and also
note the replacement in the Chief Judge's report.
A definite problem that the boat judge
will face is determining the criticality of the problem. The
event is so dynamic that an un-anticipated let-up by the skier
might easily cause the speedo to jump up 1.5km. We are asking
that the boat judge use his best judgment to determine if the
problem is due to the normal dynamics of the situation or it is
due to a planned attempt to circumvent the rules based on his
experience and these guidelines. It may also be that the driver
is not capable of driving within the rules and not necessarily
have improper intentions. Regardless of that, a driver who can
follow the the letter and the intent of the rules must be used.