Looks like we need some work on cut/paste so these quotes show up properly...
Any other thoughts?
Anyways, I do have a thought.
Austin ran so long on Sunday that some heats of the 100 free (last event of the meet) had 1 or 2 people swimming. This, however, is not an unusual occurance, but was more present at that meet than I've ever seen. Every National or large zone meet I have ever been to has always had this occur in abundance on the last day - especially for the later events.
A positive check-in for ALL events on Sunday could prove to be very helpful from a time perspective. This way, regular scratchers can scratch w/o guilt; people too hungover can scratch w/o anyone knowing; and people leaving town can scratch w/o whatever they'd be with if they swam.
Oregon is pretty smart - they've got check-in for all events 200 and up. Sunday, 1/2 the events are positive check-in (w400free, 2fly, 2br). I bet they save at least 30 minutes on the 200s; and I bet we'll be seeing more of the 200+ check-ins at future national meets.
A positive check-in for ALL events on Sunday could prove to be very helpful from a time perspective.
It would help, of course one problem is the people with flights out aren't going to know for sure if they'll be able to make their event or not until AFTER the heats are seeded. There could still be lots of no-shows because people won't want to scratch if there's a chance they will get to swim.
Anyways, I do have a thought.
Austin ran so long on Sunday that some heats of the 100 free (last event of the meet) had 1 or 2 people swimming. This, however, is not an unusual occurance, but was more present at that meet than I've ever seen.
Part of that in Austin, I think, was the fact that it is a smallish airport, and the last flight out for a lot of destinations was around 5. The other two Nationals I've been to (Seattle and Coral Springs) had a lot more flight choice. Like you said, it still happens, but I think that was why it was extra bad.
It'd going to be a big, long meet with only 5 events each..but look at it this way..it's Portland, its a great facility, lots of fun people there (thankfully not Geek)....and on a personal note Chris & Hulk will have to buy me beer and I get to trash Swimmer Bill's house!
