Aquageek:
We had this discussion before and I will provide a link to that here;forums.usms.org/showthread.php
I am going to say No that it is not illegal to where a watch. I did not see it in any of the rule infractions in the Open Water section of the 2007 Rule Book. It is illegal to where a watch for Pool events in both USMS and FINA. I believe the intent of the rule is that watches can become pace-making devices in pool swims very easily and they want swimmers to swim races without that information. In an Open Water swim its not that easy because even though everyone swims the same course, because swimmers can get off course you would have a hard time pacing for exact distance. Plus depending on how the course is set up, I think you would have a hard time knowing where the exact distances are on the course to get the pace per distance. In a pool you always know where you are and if you can see a clock you can figure your pace per distance. That can't be done very easily in an Open Water race unless you were on a 1/4 cable course and then you could possibly do it.
Open Water rules are a lot different than Pool rules and what applies in the pool does usually convert to Open Water rules. This also goes for stroke infractions that you would get called for in a pool race. You can do just about anything except the infractions that they state in Article 303.8 and they detail in sections 1 thru 10 on what infractions would warrant a disqualification. In section 303.6.6 that I just found in the section of swimwear rules says; "a wrist watch may be worn in open water competition" so I guess that answers the question.
Aquageek:
We had this discussion before and I will provide a link to that here;forums.usms.org/showthread.php
I am going to say No that it is not illegal to where a watch. I did not see it in any of the rule infractions in the Open Water section of the 2007 Rule Book. It is illegal to where a watch for Pool events in both USMS and FINA. I believe the intent of the rule is that watches can become pace-making devices in pool swims very easily and they want swimmers to swim races without that information. In an Open Water swim its not that easy because even though everyone swims the same course, because swimmers can get off course you would have a hard time pacing for exact distance. Plus depending on how the course is set up, I think you would have a hard time knowing where the exact distances are on the course to get the pace per distance. In a pool you always know where you are and if you can see a clock you can figure your pace per distance. That can't be done very easily in an Open Water race unless you were on a 1/4 cable course and then you could possibly do it.
Open Water rules are a lot different than Pool rules and what applies in the pool does usually convert to Open Water rules. This also goes for stroke infractions that you would get called for in a pool race. You can do just about anything except the infractions that they state in Article 303.8 and they detail in sections 1 thru 10 on what infractions would warrant a disqualification. In section 303.6.6 that I just found in the section of swimwear rules says; "a wrist watch may be worn in open water competition" so I guess that answers the question.
