Umpiring review& Lesser used bits…

FISA Scenario: Umpiring Case 1

In the Final A of the M2-, the Fairness Committee has determined that the lanes to use for racing are

lanes 0 – 5. Based on the Fairness Committee’s decision the Starter attributed lane 3 to SRB which

carried a “4” bow number. The Starter attributed lane 4 to ROU which carried a “5” bow number.

SRB committed a false start. After the race was stopped, the Judge At Start informed the starter that

“Lane 4” committed the false start to indicate that SRB with the bow number 4 was at fault. The Starter

believing that the Judge At Start meant the boat in lane 4 committed the false start, awarded ROU a

yellow card.

Clearly the awarding of a Yellow Card to ROU was incorrect and resulted in confusion.

The lesson to learn is that it is very important to provide information using the name of the crew and not

the lane number. Using the lane or bow number can create confusion and lead to the incorrect

consequences.

FISA Scenario: Umpiring Case 2

The racing session is using zonal umpiring with 6 umpires on the race course and races on 6 minute

intervals. Umpire 6 has the final zone of the course and is also responsible for responding to any

objections raised by crews at the end of the race and raising the appropriate flag.

Umpire 6 moves out onto the course quite fast and follows the last 120 to 40m - before stopping and

showing the flag. This creates a regular wash in the finish area which is not so important with races

with min. 6 min. interval, but clearly visible on a mirror lake...

One of the reasons for using zonal umpiring is to minimize washes on the rowing course. Unless

there is a situation that requires an umpire to move quickly, umpires should work to minimize wakes.

FISA Scenario: Umpiring Case 3 A lightweight men’s 4x crew presents itself to weigh-in.

– Athlete A weighs 70.0kg.

– Athlete B weighs 70.1 kg.

– Athlete C weighs 68.0 kg.

– Athlete D weighs 72.0kg.

The average of the four athletes is 70.025kg. Have they made weight?

The scales only weigh to 0.1Kg.

Rule 31 states “1. A lightweight men’s crew (excluding coxswain) shall have an average weight not exceeding

70 kgs. No individual lightweight male rower may weigh more than 72.5 kgs.”

In this case all of the rowers are under the 72.5kg max. But what about the average weigh? Rule 31 requires

an absolute 70kg maximum average. In this case, the 70.025kg average is 0.25kg over 70.0kg maximum, thus

the crew has failed to make weight.

Recording Coxswain Weights.

Recording L/W Weights.

Rule 51: ROWERS' CLOTHING

Interpretation:

Wearing of undergarments or headwear is optional, but if worn must be

uniform in design and colour.

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Rowers like flat water

without any wash!!!

Questions - Zonal

1. Racing has changed from dynamic (following) umpiring to zonal umpiring. The

umpire at the start follows the next race to its conclusion. What action(s) should

the other umpires take?

a) Subtlety advise the umpire and take over the race as required.

b) Move one position closer to the start.

c) None. It is not your race.

2. You are positioned at 450m whilst zonal umpiring is operating in an U23pairs

race. Three of the competing crews have steering difficulties and are close to

clashing. What do you do?

a) Follow the race as far as necessary and resume your position at 450m.

b) Follow to the end of the race and fall in to the umpire at the finish position

c) Follow as far as necessary and resume your position at the closest point,

with other umpires moving accordingly.

d) Feign a stalled engine and advise the next umpire.

CONSISTENCYATHLETES TEAM

Zonal Umpiring

• Know the race progression• What are the critical race positions?

• Active movement for control within your zone• Slowly move to centre of course after boats have passed your station• Make sure it is safe to move out• Observe lane spacing and take control if needed• Stop, turn down course and continue observation until next umpire starts

to move out• Advise next umpire by radio of any issues• Reposition back to station for next race• Slowly – No wash – no hurry

750m

1000m 1500m500m

12

34

56

7

0m

Zonal Umpiring

Starter is resp

on

sible fo

r Sta

rt Zon

e –First 1

00

m

Umpire boat moves onto course slowly as soon as boats in near lanes pass

Umpire boat stops at centre of race (normally lane 4 or 5) and only follows if interference is likely

Umpire boat retires back to off-course station when next umpire starts moving in behind race

Umpire boat at finish looks at crews to confirm if there is (are) objection(s). If no objection umpire clears race with white flag

8

100m 400m 1100m 1800m

2000m

1450m

750m

1000m 1500m500m

12

34

56

7

0m

Zonal Umpiring - Follow

Starter is resp

on

sible fo

r Sta

rt Zon

e –First 1

00

m

Umpire boat moves onto course slowly as soon as boats in near lanes pass

Umpire boat observes interference and follows race down

Umpire boats proceed up course to fill gap left by umpire and take up new zonal position

Umpire boat decides on incident advises crews and clears race with white flag or raises red flag and directs re-row

8

100m 400m 1100m 1800m

2000m

1450m

CONSISTENCYATHLETES TEAM

800m

1000m 1500m500m

12

34

56

7

0m

Zonal Umpiring - Time Trials

Starter is resp

on

sible fo

r callin

g crew

s into

la

ne a

nd

givin

g ‘sta

rt row

ing

’ com

ma

nd

One or two lanes may be used

Umpire at 100m calls ‘20m’ when boat is ~20m from startUmpire Calls ‘Go’ when boat crosses 100m line

Time is taken from 100m through to Finish lineFlying Start

8

100m 450m 1200m 1900m

2000m

1550m

Umpires observe and advise crews to move aside if being overtaken30 Second Interval

Normally gap of 1 min between groups Direct boats for Safety and Fairness issues

• Split into 4 groups (complete by 2:40)

• Consistency: What the athletes want!!!

• Discuss where we are inconsistent:

– Between Regattas

– Between Umpires

• Pick 1 area, develop ‘Solution’, discuss & list “Pros & Cons”

• Present to group (~5 mins), group review

• Umpires Commission to take back and consider for 2019/20 season.

Time to work ☺.

Groups Rene Klupacs Michael Eastaughffe Rod Florence

Robin Murphy Bill Webster Adam Harrison

Alan Farrar Kim Cowie Nancy Bartaska

Steven Sheppard Stephen Spring Claire Dennis

Alstair Shaw Greg Longden Eric Waller

Geoff Rix Noel Linayao Nick Gall

Ben Ratcliffe Greg Falk

Fiona Howard Reg McKay

Paul Diggerson Damien Hickey

Allen McCowan Ross Litchfield

Duncan MacKinnon Ashley Dillon

Paul Hargreaves Leanne Ambrose

FEEDBACK

FROM

GROUPS