Hey -
I wanted to post this in another section of the forum, but I don't have access right now so this is the best I can do. Hopefully somebody who reads this section can help me out.
I want to get back into swimming after a 5 year absence from the pool and I thought that aiming to compete in Italy at the FINA Masters World Champs would be a great target meet that would give me an opportunity to see some of Europe at the same time. I am not yet a US Masters member and have not participated in any Masters events before.
My question is - do competitors have to make the cut times officially in a qualified Masters event prior to entry into this meet or are entry and cuts done on a good faith basis? I can't find this information on the website or anywhere else so I thought that this would be a good place to ask.
I am really looking forward to getting back in shape and seeing what kind of times I can post in Italy after so long an absence, but if I have to make the cut times in a qualifying meet prior to entry it will definitely throw a monkey wrench into my plan. It will be exhausting to get back in shape and qualify before the entry deadline after so long out of the water given the time frame (looks like I would have to qualify at an early April meet).
Maybe somebody who has been to past World meets or is more caught up on how the Masters swimming works can help me out here? Do I even need to qualify as long as I am a Masters member and am confident I can make the cut times in June?
Thank you!
And it probably has to do with the rules. If you fail to meet the qualifying times at the World's, you are automatically DQd, I believe.
They don't call it a DQ,but it is the same thing.Your times don't count and are not posted.
Here's from this site: www.finamasters2012.org/swimming.asp
Please note that the actual time of the event swam which has exceeded the qualifying standards will not be shown on the results sheets but will be noted as NT (No Time). In individual events longer than 200 meters the Referee may order out any competitor not complying with the time standards.
The USMS qualifying times for the long-course meters summer nationals seem to be faster than the FINA qualifying times, and in some cases by a wide margin.
"Please note that the actual time of (the) an event (swam) swum (which) that has exceeded the qualifying standards will not be shown on the results sheets but will be noted as NT (No Time)."
There, fixed!