AWSA EAST OFFICALS'S CORNER

OFFICIALS' CORNER

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From: Jim Grew,
To: The world
May 2, 1997, 10:35 AM

RE: IWSF/AWSA Rules (Important differences)

To the Board of Directors (3-event) and other interested parties: AWSA Rules Co. Chair Ruth Johnston and I have compiled the following listing of the differences between AWSA and IWSF rules. It is written so that it can be placed, without change, in the next edition of the Judges' & Scorers' clinic manual in chapter 10. In the meantime, in addition to this mailing, Ruth will ask that this document be included in an upcoming issue of the Waterskier and as an insert in the clinic manuals for the remainder of the year. Sent in two groups with overlap probably.

PART X - INTERNATIONAL RULES
(As of 5/1/97)

A large part of the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) Technical Rules deals with the running of the World Tournament and all the pre-tournament procedures that must be carried out. There are also technical matters that differ from ours. To grasp all the minute variations and understand how a World Tournament is run, one must of course study this book carefully. However, when an official is dealing with the actual rules in force during each of the three events, the differences are fewer. The following are the most notable ones:

A. General:

  1. Schedule Changes (IWSF Rule 2.04; AWSA Rule 2.03): AWSA Rules stipulate that all affected skiers or their representatives must be directly notified of any changes. IWSF requires similar notification but through posting alone.
  2. Use of Flags (IWSF Rule 8.05; AWSA Rules 9.10d and 10.10d&e): IWSF Rules stipulate the use of red for mandatory and green for optional rerides. AWSA Rules require only the red flag for all rerides.
  3. Speed Control (IWSF 10.07): IWSF Rules state that speed control will be required at all Ranking List (Class L) and Record (Class R) tournaments starting on 1/1/98 and outline several important points for its use such as what to do if the system breaks down or when adjustment is allowed. AWSA Rules contain no such mention although all AWSA L and R record tournaments must now follow IWSF rules as far as they affect the scores of the contestants.
  4. Ties (IWSF Rules 13.13 [jump], 14.12 [slalom] and 15.18 [trick]; AWSA Rules 9.14 [jump], 10.14 [slalom] and 11.14 [trick]): IWSF ties are run off in all three events differently than under AWSA Rules even after taking into consideration the fact that IWSF Rules cover tournaments with preliminary and final rounds.
  5. Back-up Timing (IWSF 13.15 & 14.14; AWSA 9.08d & 10.08d): In IWSF Rules, it states that the second timing device for Slalom and Jump shall be operated from the boat unless not feasible in which case it will be from shore. AWSA Rules allow the timing device to be in the boat or on shore.
  6. Rerides (IWSF Rules 13.15 & 14.14; AWSA 9.10d & 10.10d3): In Slalom and Jump, IWSF Rules allow a five minute rest only if the skier receives more than two rerides. AWSA does so if the skier is allotted more than one.
B. Slalom:
  1. Rope Length (IWSF Rule 14.07; AWSA Rule 10.06(c)): IWSF Rules specify rope lengths starting with a 18.25m rope; AWSA Rules, ones starting with a 23m rope.
  2. Mandatory Rerides (IWSF Rule 14.14 [4th paragraph]; AWSA Rules 10.09, 10.10 and 10.13): Under IWSF Rules, when the speed is slower than allowable on a given pass and if the pass was not a perfect pass, the skier may not improve his score over that obtained on the slow pass, unless the speed is so slow that it is equal to or below the fast tolerance of the next slower pass. In other words, if a male skier runs 5 buoys @ 14.25m and the time is slow in the first or second segment but not equal or slower than the fast tolerance of the preceding speed (in this case 55 kph [34 mph] ), he may not better that score on the reride. Should he run the full six, he will only score five. Exceptions to this are if the skier scores more than 2 1/2 and the first segment is fast and the second segment is slow, or the 1st segment is slow and the 2nd segment is fast, -- a reride is mandatory and a skier may improve his score. If the pass was a perfect pass (score is 6, skier to continue), the skier may choose to proceed to the next pass instead of repeating the pass. If the skier then makes a perfect pass, he receives credit for both passes. If the pass is missed, he will receive credit for the buoys as if it were the lower, skipped pass.
  3. Inadvertent Slow Speed (IWSF 14.14; AWSA 10.13i): If a skier receives a speed slower or a line length longer than that requested, under IWSF rules, he may opt up, assuming the pass skied was completed, or take a reride. AWSA rules allow the skier the third option of accepting credit for the actual pass skied.
  4. Damaged Equipment Rerides (IWSF 14.15; AWSA 10.15): Under IWSF Rules, if a skier cannot take a mandatory reride because of damaged equipment, the pass that brought about the reride is scored as 0 unless the score was 2 1/2 or greater and the first segment was OK or Fast in which case the skier is awarded 2 1/2. AWSA Rules state that the skier will always score 0 under these conditions.
  5. Slalom Handles (IWSF Homologation Guidelines 1e (page 72); AWSA 10.16d): IWSF Rules stipulate that personally furnished handles shall be measured at the dock immediately before skiing. AWSA Rules contain no such requirement.
C. Trick:
  1. Practice Falls (IWSF Rule 15.02; AWSA Rule 11.04b): Under IWSF Rules, no practice falls are allowed. The handle throw rule is the same.
  2. Fake Falls (IWSF Rule 15.02 [last paragraph], new 1990): If a majority of the Event Judges determine that the skier has fallen deliberately after the end of his (first) 20 second pass, he loses the right to continue the round. This judgement decision is to encourage the skier not to attempt such a fall at all.
  3. Picking up or Adding a Ski (IWSF 15.08; AWSA 11.04c): IWSF Rules do not allow the skier to pick up a dropped ski or add a second one between passes. However, if he does not fall, he may change equipment in the 30 second set down period. Under AWSA Rules, the stopping of the boat at the skier's request to adjust line length and to pick up or drop a ski is not scored as a fall.
  4. Trick Run Choice after a Fall (IWSF Rule 15.13d; AWSA Rule 11.12e): AWSA Rules allow the skier, after a fall in the first pass, to complete the remainder of that run during his second pass, then start his second run. IWSF Rules do not allow this possibility. The skier must either choose to perform his first run over again or ski his second run.
  5. Video Review (IWSF 15.15c; AWSA 11.20c): In AWSA Rules, under circumstances which the Chief Judge regards as exceptional, an event judge or the Chief Scorer may request that the event judges be allowed to review a video tape. IWSF Rules state that neither may make such a request.
  6. Reverse Wake Flip BFB (IWSF 15.19c; AWSA 11.12p): For the WflipBFB, IWSF Rules require that the reverse must land in the opposite wrap or turn in the opposite direction. AWSA Rules contain no such stipulation.
  7. Wake Flip BLB: (IWSF 15.19c; AWSA 11.12p): IWSF Rules read that the stepover portion of this trick must be done simultaneously with the flip and the body rotation. There is no such description in AWSA Rules.
D. Jump:
  1. Helmets (IWSF Rule 7.09; AWSA Rule 12.06b): IWSF Rules state that the skier must wear a suitable helmet without further definition while AWSA Rules stipulate the wearing of protective head gear with a definition of what that is and further recommendations, but recommendations only, on specifics.
  2. Ride-Out Buoy (AWSA Rule 9.03c): Under IWSF Rules, there is no ride-out buoy. The result is that, if a skier falls as the result of any given jump, he is not credited with that jump, be the fall 50, 100, 150 or 200 meters from the ramp (1989 Change to IWSF Rule 13.07).
  3. Waived Reride Request: AWSA Rule 9.10f states that, once a skier has taken a definite cut toward the ramp, he automatically waives any reride request regarding conditions encountered prior to the start of the timing course. IWSF rules do not have such a stipulation.
  4. Women at 1.65m (IWSF 13.01 & 2; AWSA 9.16c4): Under both IWSF and AWSA Rules, women are now allowed the option of choosing either a 1.5m or 1.65m ramp height. AWSA Rules further stipulate that only open women are allowed the 1.65m option and only if they can show a certified result from a record tournament of 40m (132') on a 1.5m ramp.
  5. Balks (IWSF 13.04; AWSA 9.09a): IWSF timing tables allow .05 second to be added in case of a balk while AWSA Rules require use of the "wider" tolerances table. There are differences.
  6. Event Judges (IWSF 13.09; AWSA 9.08b): AWSA rules allow the event judges to have additional duties while IWSF rules do not.
  7. Video Jump Measurement (IWSF 13.11; 9.12a): IWSF Rules specify that there shall be two designated officials operating the system who agree on the impact point. AWSA Rules do not make any such specifications.
  8. Fast Second Segment (IWSF 13.15; AWSA Rule 9.10b1): IWSF Rules stipulate that, if the second segment is fast on a successful jump, but the distance is less than previous or following jumps, a reride will not be awarded. AWSA Rules mandate a reride in all cases when either segment's time is too fast.
Differences update 7/16/97

INTERNATIONAL RULES - What are the differences?

Following are some of the major differences between International (IWSF) and AWSA rules. Consult the IWSF and AWSA Rulebooks for further differences.

GENERAL

(IWSF Rules 13.15&14.14: AWSA 9.10d & 10.1d3): In Slalom and Jump, IWSF Rules allow a five minute rest only if the skier receives more than two rerides, AWSA does so if the skier is allotted more than one.

SLALOM

(IWSF Rule 14.14[4th paragraph]; AWSA Rules 1-.09, 10.10, and 10.13): Under IWSF Rules, when the speed is slower than allowable on a given pass and if the pass was not a perfect pass, the skier may not improve his score ovet that obtained on the slow pass, unless the speed is so slow that it is equal to or below the fast tolerance of the next slower pass. In other words, if a male skier runs 5 buoys @ 14.25m and the time is slow in the first or second segment but not equal or slower than the fast tolerance of the preceeding speed (in this case 55 kph [34mph]), he may not better that score on the reride. Should he run the full siz, he will only score five. Exceptions to this are if the skier scores more than 2 1/2 and the first segment is fast and the second segment is slow, or the 1st segment is slow and the 2nd segment is fast, - a reride is mandatory and a skier may improve his score. If the pass was a perfect pass (score is 6, skier to continue), the skier may choose to proceed to the next pass instead of repeating the pass. If the skier then makes a perfect pass, he receives credit for both passes. If the pass is missed, he will receive credit for the buoys as if it were the lower, skipped pass.

(IWSF 14.14; AWSA 10.13L): If a skier receives a speed slower or a line length longer than that requested, under IWSF rules, he may opt up, assuming the pass skied was completed, or take a reride. AWSA rules allow the skier the third option of accepting credit for the actual pass skied.

(IWSF 14.15; AWSA 10.15): Under IWSF Rules if a skier cannot take a mandatory reride because of damaged equipment, the pass that brought about the reride is scored as 0 unless the score was 2 1/2 or greater and the first segment was OK or Fast in whih case the skier is awarded 2 1/2. AWSA Rules state that the skier will always score 0 under these conditions.

TRICK (IWSF Rule 1502; AWSA Rule 11.04b): Under IWSF Rules no practice falls are allowed. The handle throw rule is the same.

(IWSF Rule 15.13d;AWSA Rule 11.12e): AWSA Rules allow the skier, after a fall in the first pass, to complete the remainder of that run during his second pass, then start his second run. IWSF Rules do not allow this possiblity. The skier must either choose to perform his first run over again or ski his second run.

(IWSF 15.19c; AWSA 11.12p): For the WflipBFB, IWSF Rules require that the reverse must land in the opposite wrap or turn in the opposite direction. AWSA Rules contain no such stipulation.

JUMP

(AWSA Rule 9.03c): Under IWSF Rules, there is no rideout buoy. The result is that, if a skier falls as the result of any given jump, he is not credited with that jump, be the fall 50, 100, 150, or 200 meters from the ramp (1989 change to IWsf Rule 13.07).

(AWSA Rule 9.10f) States that, once a skier has taken a definite cut toward the ramp, he automatically waives any reride request regarding the conditions encountered prior to the start of the timing course. IWSF rules do not have such a stipulation.

(IWSF 13.01 & 2; AWSA 9.15o4): Under both IWSF and AWSA Rules, women are now allowed the option of choosing either a 1.5 or 1.65m ramp height. AWSA Rules further stipulate that only open women are allowed the 1.65m option and only if they can show a certified result from record tournament of 40m (132') on a 1.5m ramp.

(IWSF 13.15; AWSA Rule 9.10b1): IWSF Rules stipulate that, if the second segment is fast on a successful jump, but the distance is less than previous or following jumps, a reride will not be allowed. AWSA Rules mandate a reride in all cases when either segment's time is too fast.