Rule Proposal "Opt Down"

[Horton]

I would like to see a rule that would allow a skier to "opt down" on their first pass. What I mean by this is to have a first pass scored at 6 buoys less than what is actually performed.

 

Example: I would like to go off the dock at 32 off and have it scored at 28 off. My second pass would again be 32 off and would be scored as 32 off. From there all passes score as normal.

 

Why: This would offer skiers more flexibility on their opening pass. I would personally go off the dock at 32 (scored as 28). This would allow me to run two 32 off passes before shortening to 35. It would allow me to avoid 28 off and would not negatively impact the event in any way that I can think of. As it is I go off the dock at 28 in most tournaments.

 

I can not be the only one who would like to have 2 passes at their preferred open pass as opposed to a longer or slower opener.

[JackQ]

Jesus, hasn't ZBS made it hard confusing enough! Just man up and run 28 if 32,35,38 doesn't feel comfortable enough.

[jayski]

@Horton :D

Courtesy @bigtex2011

 

[Horton]

okay guys you're holding back. Tell me how you really feel.

[ForrestGump]

Have you ever given a Panda to yourself? If not, now is the time.

[keithh2oskier]

Maybe you can do a 52k/-32 start then increase the speed to 55k...

[teammalibu]

Don’t they call that practice!

[fu_man]

How about just go off at -28?

[Bruce_Butterfield]

I was going to be polite and say that idea was half baked. But after thinking about it, that’s just plain dumb ( I’m still being polite).

[MDB1056]

Ok and the process to get a rule change considered , debated, evaluated, modified , re evaluate the new version , final mods made, submit for final final approval. Then comes debate on implementation which will take 3-4 rounds to work out…….. so we’ll maybe see it in how many years? Seriously…. Are more versions or rules needed?? The structure is the structure and it’s worked this long……

[BS74]

Currently, a skier can run passes below maximum speed and scores 6 less till maximum speed is achieved.

I'd like to be able to go out at a higher speed than what my division calls for and be able drop my speed for the toughest pass. All bouys counted at division speed.

[ski6jones]

@horton you've always said practice doesn't count. Why the change of heart?

[The_MS]

@Mrs_MS would love it. 28 too slow but 30 and 32 is her zone.

[Horton]

come on guys I just want an extra warm-up pass but I just can't face a 28 off behind the Nautique.

[BraceMaker]

You really just want to add.

E. After each completed pass, the skier may advance to a higher speed, and/or a

shorter line, i.e., pass-to-pass movements in the matrix may only go down, and/or

to the right. or a skier may elect to repeat the previous pass for no score, but must complete the repeated pass to advance

 

Sort of solves your problem while still being potentially a full additional pass for every skier if most skiers use it as another warm up. Could be a tactical way to address the starting dock orientation on a site without an opt up. Add a penalty, if you miss the repeat pass subtract how many you missed from your opener. 32 opener, 4 at 3w second pass, -2.

 

[MISkier]

No.

[teammalibu]

@Horton man up how do you think the kids feel!

[Horton]

@teammalibu like Superman?

[Wish]

Man I’m gonna get beat up for this one.

I totally agree with Horton. I don’t want 28 as an opener. 2 32s would be perfect. Also have a buddy that hates 15 off but struggles with 28. So 2 passes at 22 off would be his choice I’m sure. Sorry for agreeing with @Horton. It does feel really odd....sort of a nausea feeling.

 

[ForrestGump]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JohGniYph-c

[Wish]

@ForrestGump

 

Hahahahahahhahah ????????

[RazorRoss3]

@Horton, go home you’re drunk

[MDB1056]

@ForrestGump THATS FUNNY! One of the best posts ever

[lpskier]

The process involves drafting a proposed rule and sending it to the rules committee for consideration.

[Slalom.Steve]

I seem to be in the minority, but I'm into it. People who think it's dumb won't use it, people who like it will, without any negative effects on fairness, fun, time, etc. Why not?

 

Update after @BraceMaker 's response - good point, there is a negative effect on time, and tourneys are long enough as is, so I retract.

[dchristman]

Is it April already? Maybe ZBS rev-3 with mid-loops and 1mph increments?

https://www.ballofspray.com/forum#/discussion/17287/american-water-skiing-association-zero-based-scoring-rev-2-really-again

[BraceMaker]

@SlalomSteve the biggest issue is time.

An event with say 25 skiers if most of them successfully make their opener, choose to repeat, then do the same top score you're adding another 4 or 5 skiers to the running order.

 

If 2 openers proves to be advantageous then some % of skiers are going to get another pass on top as well right?

 

Fine if events are gagging for skiers but most are not and people want to get around to wrapping the event up eventually.

[RichardDoane]

The majority of skiers don’t run a 4th pass in a tournament. Just look at the Scorers notes. The boat has to always go down and back so it wouldn’t make that much of a difference. But it is a kooky idea.

[Jody_Seal]

@ForrestGump

Moderators get this instead of a panda!!

 

[skibug]

How about an Opt-even rule...I would much prefer to start at 28 and run 32 twice before my 35. So let any skier run any line length back to back, but then they have to keep shortening.

[Cooper_Trelawney]

The last thing waterskiing needs is another arbitrary rule. Just start a line length longer. No big deal.

[Spencer_Shultz]

@horton I thought we left that kind of thinking on ski fly ???

[thager]

@Horton needs another testosterone shot!

[bbruzzese]

Is there a problem with the wake behind the Nautique....

[Dirt]

I want to run 35 4 times and go in so I don’t fall

[Stevie Boy]

This comes back down to, how do you make the sport more appealing fo spectactors etc, by allowing this you just increase duration before the skier gets to where they are reaching their limits.

I remember being at a Pro Event and a Pro Skier was complaing that he, had a zero gate and because he had travelled a long distance, that he should be able to go again.

I think the current rules should stand, if you want your optimum pass into the wind, and it means you have Opt Up or Opt Down, so be it, the other option is to practice in wind, then there is no issue, if you ski with perfect conditions all the time, it will affect your ability as a competitior.

[VONMAN]

Sounds like a boat thing to me. @Horton I totally understand.

[BlueSki]

Just warm up on shore like Jenny LeBaw and Marcus tell you too - they’re right - and avoid all of the gas money jokes from the announcers and the rest of the crowd.

[LeonL]

Aha, someone finally speaks up on Nautique wake. Every tournament that I watch on TWBC I see mid level skiers getting launched.

[PatM]

Wow - you guys who are running deep shortline like @Horton complaining about the -28 wake on a Nautique? Now that is whining.

[The_MS]

It can’t be worse then the kid that starts at 15.5 mph long line and works there way up to 22 off

Takes foooooooorever

[skidawg]

2021 triple panda nominee @Horton that would be called practice

[buechsr]

A famous skier 2 weeks ago told me his parents' rule was he had to start 10 passes below his average in every tournament. Seemed to have worked out OK for him.

 

No one is coming to watch an average tournament. Catering to make it more "viewable", ie speed it up, is futile. I don't have a problem with Horton's idea, but is it needed in light of Bruce's citation of the current rule? (which I frankly did not know). Actually, upon re-reading it maybe that was just his draft rule...Average time is what, 4 minutes per skier? An extra 25 rides doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me.

[Horton]

@PatM I had not skied behind that boat in a year before Regionals this year. I was so surprised by the wake on my opener that I almost missed the pass.

 

Seriously, two 32 is what I always do in practice. I thought some other skiers might have a similar habit so I thought I'd throw it out. Apparently you guys are not with me.

[The_MS]

Depends on the head tail

[MISkier]

Just start running your -39 so well that your -35 feels like a second opener.

[PatM]

I ski on a 200 most of the time. I guess I just never noticed the difference. My opener is also 28

[BraceMaker]

@Horton I really don't dislike the idea. Particularly when you travel and show up cold turkey. I just think it should be called an option reride. If you fall they score you where you fall.

 

6@32 first pass. miss the gate on shot 2 you got 6@28.

 

Not complex, not hard to score or confusing. Boat crew can call in optional reride and then its scored exactly the same as if it was a 32 after a 28.

 

 

 

 

[Horton]

@PatM 200 is a great boat.

[RazorRoss3]

It sounds like you intentionally practice a non-tournament set and are now complaining that your tournament experience is different than practice. Have you considered “practicing how you perform”? Either practice opening at 28 or practice skiing 35 as your second pass, of course practicing 32,32,35 makes anything else feel weird.