I was honestly on the fence about whether I wanted to swim the breaststroke 3 pack or do freestyle at my next meet in a couple of weeks. So I ended up signing up for 5 events today and mailing it in, knowing that I will scratch at least one, maybe 2, events depending on how I feel at the meet.
Are scratchers evil like sandbaggers? I know I had a lot of fun at the last meet with a couple of very close races with people right next to me, but honestly the only times empty lanes have bothered me have been when I've been in 1 and the only other entrant was in 8 or 6. Feels like a weird time trial when that happens. But just an empty lane or 2, no biggie. Does it bug the race directors? Why do I feel vaguely guilty about it? Should I just kick an extra 200 as penance tomorrow (I hate kicking) and forget all about it? Or is it not even something to worry about?
Hmmm...one might just as easily say, "if seeing someone in your heat blow right by you throws you off your game, boo hoo, that's part of the challenge."
I'm not a fan of sandbagging, but your entry time doesn't swim the race for you. At most, it's an irritating practice. As CP said, it's masters.
Although I don't hold it against anyone, I think a no-show is easily just as bad. I'd rather swim against a full heat, not have a bunch of empty lanes. Basically, the effect is the same as sandbagging: fewer people to race against.
I'm always thrilled about the no-shows. It's the only reason I got a medal in 50 back at SCY Nationals in 1998. One of the last events and lots of people had already left to catch their flight home.
Hmmm...one might just as easily say, "if seeing someone in your heat blow right by you throws you off your game, boo hoo, that's part of the challenge."
I'm not a fan of sandbagging, but your entry time doesn't swim the race for you. At most, it's an irritating practice. As CP said, it's masters.
Although I don't hold it against anyone, I think a no-show is easily just as bad. I'd rather swim against a full heat, not have a bunch of empty lanes. Basically, the effect is the same as sandbagging: fewer people to race against.
I'm always thrilled about the no-shows. It's the only reason I got a medal in 50 back at SCY Nationals in 1998. One of the last events and lots of people had already left to catch their flight home.
