The Rules—from Start to Finish Referee Clinic February 16, 2002 Terry Ryan J/R 605

Standard Disclaimer This presentation includes forward-looking statements. Consult your financial advisor. The views expressed are mine alone. Employees of USRowing and their families are not eligible. Your mileage may vary. I was trained in the Northeast. Roxanne made me do it.

Dominating Principles Safety Fairness Each rule’s existence is owed to either of the above Interpret and apply rules for safety first, fairness second

Reporting to the start Two minute rule (fairness) Not locked two minute = warning (fairness) Not locked starting time = exclusion (fairness) Discretion advised!

Appearance (2-302) The exception to the rule… Fairness requires wise enforcement, since other crews endeavor to comply

Changing race times (2-303) Starter’s discretion to change start times, lane assignments We hope with notification of the chief and finish crew! Fairness issue—take into account course or athlete issues

Alignment (2-304) All bows on starting line (fairness) In tough conditions, best possible alignment (fairness—don’t want crews sittin’ ‘n chillin’ for that “perfect” alignment) Flags to notify starter when fair condition established

Polling (2-305) Announcement; warning to sit ready. Hands indicate potential unfairness. Best judgment when conditions are as fair as possible Lost alignment? Reset

Starting commands (2-306) Attention/Go—Crisp command w/ flag for fair start. Flag motion is the signal! Unfair start in your immediate future? Lower flag w/ “As you were”. Recognize hand in normal start—if you don’t see it, other referees may restore fairness by stopping race

Quick Start (2-307) Can’t get a fair start within a “fair” length of time—use Quick Start Announce, point/align, start—but recognize hands This start acknowledges that the polled start may take so long as to affect fairness

Countdown Start (2-308) The last chance for fairness If polled and quick start are still unfair in length, announce countdown start The countdown shifts responsibility for pointing and readiness to the crews No hands acknowledged once begun BUT—don’t start if unsafe! D’oh!

False Start (2-309) Any crew crossing the line before flag moves Judge at start has sole call (fairness— why?) Red flag, sound alarm, return ID crew(s), assess, restart Warning is presumed penalty

Failure to Start (2-310) A crew not starting stops the race Check reason If not justifiable assess penalty (warning) Restart

Broken Equipment (2-311) If signaled in starting area, stop race Check if valid. Allow opportunity to fix. If not, penalize. Restart Breakage affects propulsive ability of shell. Negligence no excuse (slides, crabs, etc). Out of starting area, presumption is boat was OK to race, unfair to restart

A crew’s water (2-401) Protected territory, be it a buoyed lane or a line defined by two points In it, the referee is the Guardian Angel Leave it, and someone else is entitled to protection

Steering (2-402) A crew is responsible for its own steering Referees do not intervene, unless interference, obstacle, or otherwise protect safety of crews

Referee’s position (2-403) Take whatever position places you to best protect 1) Safety 2) Fairness of competition Don’t wake crews (fairness) unless higher consideration (safety) requires

Interference or Foul (2-404) Prevent by instruction before interference happens Interference can’t happen unless a crew enters another crew’s water Consists of Physical contact Washing Causing course alteration to avoid contact

Stopping a race (2-405) Interference or other unfairness Crew opportunity to win, place, advance affected No further competitive value in continuing Easier call early vs. later More beer call discussions than any other topic

Penalizing Interference (2-406) Impose penalty, and restore aggrieved crew’s “opportunity” Presume exclusion, unless Interference slight (no lost opportunity) Interference severe or intentional (DQ) Interference occurred before instruction start (maybe warn)

Referee’s Instructions (2-407) Alter course: white straight up, call crew, move flag in direction sought Keep apart: white flag straight up, call crews, “Keep Apart” Crew(s) to stop rowing: White straight up, “Stop”; resume has white straight up, “Resume rowing”, drop flag forward All Crews stop: Red straight up, “Stop”, sound

Avoid unsafe conditions (2-408) Previously known obstacle: Name crew, call “Obstacle” or “Stop”, no steering Previously unknown: Name crew, call “Obstacle” or “Stop”, indicate direction to alter course, restore “opportunity” Return to lane crews seeking sheltered water or otherwise gaining advantage

Racing cadence (2-409) Must maintain a cadence that allows a crew to win or advance Instruct crew to return to racing cadence Penalize if they fail to do so 2002 change?

Outside Assistance (2-410) No coaching or team assistance. Benefit not necessary No team member or coach following in a launch Finish line speakers turned 1750m, unless pointed away from the water 2002 rules change?

Unsportsmanlike conduct (2-411) Any unsportsmanlike conduct can be penalized, whether in rules or not. Aggrieved crews get restored “opportunity” Any team member can have participation “curtailed” Abusive conduct, language may be reported to Referee Commission

Order of Finish/Dead heats (2-501) Finish is bow touching finish line Dead heat if simultaneous, or no determination possible Finals require re-row if needed to establish medals (or duplicate medals) Advancement may require re-row Refusal to re-row yields right to place

Finish Line Procedure (2-502) Finish crew in stacked line up w/ clear view Race time kept on the water, Finish flag indicates first crew to cross; Finish watches start timing Chief calls each crew’s finish; assigned watch takes time difference from first finisher Flag/sound continues for each crew Chief judge plus three judges determine order and time calculations Chief’s opinion final

Declaring race to be official (2-503) Race completion requires last crew to finish and Referee declaring race to be official Check conditions and protests If OK, white flag, give time, Chief Judge acknowledges w/ white flag If penalty needs assessing (and is accepted), red flag, give penalty, white flag, give time If protested, raise red flag, announce protest, give time. Chief Judge informs Chief Referee to convene jury White flag means race official; only then may results be released

Placement of Crew (2-504) Chief Judge determines placement Can’t win, place, or advance w/o finishing If coxed, he/she must finish If straight, the boat must finish… Equipment, advertising, competitor violations can cause a crew not to be placed Excluded? DQ’d? Not placed!

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