Split requests seem to be all the fashion lately. I know they're perfectly legal, though I haven't read the rule itself. I'm wondering about them though ... It seems oddly unfair, for example, that a person never (or rarely) swimming open 50s could hold world or national records or #1 rankings in those events. (I'm just saying it's odd, while recognizing it could be perfectly legal.) But, aside from that and further, what if someone really played the system. What if, for example, someone was after a 50 free record. They entered a meet in the 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 free and led off free relays and requested split requests in each event to try to set a record. Is this legitimate or legal? Would a meet director be bound to accept split requests for all these events? Is there a limit? Do meet directors have discretion to deny multiple split requests? I can see a situation where multiple attempts at a 50 might result in a better time ...
I don't think it unfair,rather it is a chance to mitigate the unfairness that the meet schedule sometimes causes.I do think it is only fair to enter the time you think you will actually do and to tell the rest of the heat of your intentions.If a freestyler was to enter all the events to get a 50 record I think they would be a very tired swimmer by the end of the meet(unless they were a real jerk and stopped after every failed attempt and got out after 50,they'd be DQd,but since they didn't get there time,so what.)
Ah, yes, that pesky order of events business that I am so reknowned for now ... In fact, I was just looking at the meet entry form for Auburn and thinking the 200 back might have me written all over it ...
Is a time trial always loaded in one's favor, Pakman? Surely it must depend on the swimmer. I have heard complaints about lack of "optimal competitive racing conditons" or lack of "crowd energy ... And in a longer time trial or split request, you are surely racing only yourself. If Osterber and others are right, it's better to race others.
I don't think it unfair,rather it is a chance to mitigate the unfairness that the meet schedule sometimes causes.I do think it is only fair to enter the time you think you will actually do and to tell the rest of the heat of your intentions.If a freestyler was to enter all the events to get a 50 record I think they would be a very tired swimmer by the end of the meet(unless they were a real jerk and stopped after every failed attempt and got out after 50,they'd be DQd,but since they didn't get there time,so what.)
Ah, yes, that pesky order of events business that I am so reknowned for now ... In fact, I was just looking at the meet entry form for Auburn and thinking the 200 back might have me written all over it ...
Is a time trial always loaded in one's favor, Pakman? Surely it must depend on the swimmer. I have heard complaints about lack of "optimal competitive racing conditons" or lack of "crowd energy ... And in a longer time trial or split request, you are surely racing only yourself. If Osterber and others are right, it's better to race others.
