January 2, 2000

January 2, 2000

 

To: WESTERN REGION COUNCIL

 

From: NORM WINGERD – Technical Committee (WR)

 

Subject: TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPORT FOR MIDWINTER COUNCIL
MEETING

 

This was not a rules moratorium year,
so our plate was quite full. Most of the issues came to our committee because
of changes, or proposed changes by IWSF. We will be presenting eight issues for
the Board�s consideration. They are as follows:

 

1.                 
JUMP TIMING� � The IWSF
(as requested by the Athletes) may increase boat speed in the second timing
segment. The 57kph (35mph) speed would be increased 4kph (approx. 2.5mph), and
other speeds would be increased 3kph (approx. 2mph). We would adopt the same
timing chart as the IWSF recommendation. If the IWSF Technical Committee does
not pass this item, we will not recommend it to our Board.

 

2.                 
RAMP HEIGHT � Last year IWSF lengthened the maximum allowable
ramp length out of water by 10 cm (4�), and reduced the minimum length under
water by the same 10 cm for the 6� ramp only. The slope rate was reduced from
0.275 to 0.271. This year they are going to lengthen the ramp for the 5� &
5.5�ramps, but not change the slope rate. The 6� ramp would revert back to the
0.275 slope rate.

 

3.                 
OPTIONAL BOAT GUIDE GATE FOR JUMP COURSE � The Athletes have
asked for an optional boat guide gate (pre-gate) 300 meters (984ft)
before the ramp. The color would be green, and the buoys would have the same
tolerance as the 180m cut-out buoy (1%).

 

4.                 
TRICK COURSE � A trick skier may tell the driver to adjust
speed up to 50m before entering the course (rule 11.06). A proposed change
would supplement the rule by allowing placement of an optional green
buoy at the 50m location.

 

5.                 
SLALOM JUDGES � In an effort to reduce the number of required
judges, the IWSF has proposed the optional use of only two tower judges
supplemented with cameras. The two judges would be placed on a centrally
located tower instead of two towers. Cameras would be placed at the current
tower locations (44 degree line) with a signal sent to the centrally located
tower. The tower judges would view gates on a monitor. Additionally, boat video
may be used. Gate decisions could be challenged by a skier/team
representative with a concomitant video review.

 

6.                 
IWSF JUMP MEASUREMENT CHANGES � One change would require two
test buoys to be placed at approximately the 40m & 60m jump distance. These
buoys would be included in the certification survey but independent of the
video jump system (not used as reference buoys of the system). Another change
would tighten the tolerance on the 10m dimension of the jump diagram from 10%
to 2%.

 

7.                 
ELIMINATE SLALOM JUDGES VIDEO REVIEW � The Technical Committee
is recommending the removal of the judges video review requirement. The review
has been wasted effort by the judges and an extreme burden for the Technical
controllers. The review does not presently factor into the approval process.
The record is approved or disapproved, following intense scrutiny to determine
boat path deviation. It doesn�t matter what the judge�s comments are.

 

8.                 
SLALOM BOAT PATH VIDEO � Presently, IWSF and AWSA both require
end-course video for slalom records on towlines 12 meters long or less. There
are currently six divisions with records on longer lines. We are proposing that
all National records require end-course video and boat path evaluation.

 

We received forty-seven
applications for National records this past year. Thirty-one were approved.

 

See you at the meeting,

 

Norm Wingerd