The backstroke wedges have been malfunctioning.
I didn't want to hijack Allen's thread about the "FINA Worlds Controversy" but his comment about the backstroke starts is something I've thought about a lot.
The swim events that I participate in are pretty much non-meet type events. So, I don't really have much experience with the starts in pool events. Consequently, there will probably be some disagreement with my comment, or just plane refusal to consider it. But I've talked with numerous swimmers who've had issues with backstroke starting "wedges" and/or handles, and other backstroke start related equipment. And, I've seen lots of complaints about that same equipment here in the swim forums. But...why in the world won't FINA take steps to have backstroke start up on the blocks like the other strokes and eliminate all that backstroke start equipment as a problem? Make it so that backstrokers dive into the water just like all the other strokes, and have to surface by the 15m line and first stroke must be on their back. Wouldn't that make things so much easier?
Dan
I officiated at the TYR Pro meet in Bloomington in May where they used the same Omega wedges as at Worlds.
As officials we had to remember to pull them out of the water after the start. Occasionally someone would forget and another official would have to remind them. It was like developing a new habit and a bit of a distraction, taking your focus off the race.
The bigger problem was the design of the wedges themselves where the straps would get tangled, or the height adjustment would slip. There was an Omega tech sitting on the start end with one or two spare wedge assemblies that they would swap out if one caused a problem.
In Cary, they had the timers do it. Which makes sense, as they have nearly a minute to sit there. Like I'd said, they were fixed, so no adjustment. Just tied to the block and dropped in. At Futures last weekend, it may have been officials, I didnt notice. Deck was more crowded.
A wedge could be built into the pad but that would make the pool shorter.
I think the biggest problem would be hitting them with your feet and the potential for injury.
I officiated at the TYR Pro meet in Bloomington in May where they used the same Omega wedges as at Worlds.
As officials we had to remember to pull them out of the water after the start. Occasionally someone would forget and another official would have to remind them. It was like developing a new habit and a bit of a distraction, taking your focus off the race.
The bigger problem was the design of the wedges themselves where the straps would get tangled, or the height adjustment would slip. There was an Omega tech sitting on the start end with one or two spare wedge assemblies that they would swap out if one caused a problem.
In Cary, they had the timers do it. Which makes sense, as they have nearly a minute to sit there. Like I'd said, they were fixed, so no adjustment. Just tied to the block and dropped in. At Futures last weekend, it may have been officials, I didnt notice. Deck was more crowded.
A wedge could be built into the pad but that would make the pool shorter.
I think the biggest problem would be hitting them with your feet and the potential for injury.
