Mission Viejo had very good facilities, great weather, superb organization, and the best hosts. Overall a great meet.
However, as commented in another thread, there were lots of no shows. In four of five events I had an empty lane next to me. This is not the best racing environment, and it makes the meet last longer than necessary. I am not critical of the people that did not show up -- I was one of them on Thursday, as an emergency at work made me arrive a day late.
On deck seeding would be a simple and easy solution.
Evidently some people like to know a day or days in advance who will swim in their heat. However, the way it worked for me, I found out as I walked up to the block who would *not* be swimming. *That's* lots of opportunity to get psyched! (not)
I don't think the way this meet was seeded (check in for distance events, advanced seeding for the other events) was a very good compromise. This was my first non-deck seeded masters meet, and I did not enjoy that aspect of it.
I cannot speak for how the events will be seeded at FINA Worlds at Stanford, but if previous FINA Worlds are any indication, they may all be pre-seeded.
I have been to FINA Worlds in Riccione, Italy (2004), Christchurch, New Zealand (2002), Munich, Germany (2000), and Montreal, Canada (1994) , and Indianapolis, IN (1992). They were all pre-seeded. Riccione even preseeded the 400 IM and 400 and 800 free.
My point is that FINA Worlds isn't necessarily pre-seeded despite the very large number of participants. Yes, there are many empty lanes and yes the days can be very long.
FINA Masters swimming rules state that:
MSW 3.7 Events shall be pre-seeded with oldest age groups first, slowest heats swum first within each age group. Events 400 metres and over may be deck seeded from slowest to fastest, regardless of age.
MSW 3.8 The Organising Committee may arrange 400 metre, 800 metre and 1500 metre Freestyle to be swum two (2) swimmers of the same sex in a lane. Separate timing will be required for each swimmer.
When deck-seeding is possible and permitted, I imagine Mike Moore will make it happen.
Mary
I cannot speak for how the events will be seeded at FINA Worlds at Stanford, but if previous FINA Worlds are any indication, they may all be pre-seeded.
I have been to FINA Worlds in Riccione, Italy (2004), Christchurch, New Zealand (2002), Munich, Germany (2000), and Montreal, Canada (1994) , and Indianapolis, IN (1992). They were all pre-seeded. Riccione even preseeded the 400 IM and 400 and 800 free.
My point is that FINA Worlds isn't necessarily pre-seeded despite the very large number of participants. Yes, there are many empty lanes and yes the days can be very long.
FINA Masters swimming rules state that:
MSW 3.7 Events shall be pre-seeded with oldest age groups first, slowest heats swum first within each age group. Events 400 metres and over may be deck seeded from slowest to fastest, regardless of age.
MSW 3.8 The Organising Committee may arrange 400 metre, 800 metre and 1500 metre Freestyle to be swum two (2) swimmers of the same sex in a lane. Separate timing will be required for each swimmer.
When deck-seeding is possible and permitted, I imagine Mike Moore will make it happen.
Mary
