Beer bet.
Does anyone have a link to the FINA rule that explains how automated equipment is used to judge relay take offs?
The FINA rules I've been able to find on-line first point you to section SW 13.1, which then points you to FR 4. But FR 4 doesn't address it.
I need the link to the explict FINA paragraph to win my beer.
I already have the undocumented statement from the Washington Post April 1, 2007.
"Officials ruled Crocker left 0.01 of a second earlier than the allowable start time. Crocker got off the blocks with a reaction time of -0.04 of a second. The most allowed is -0.03."
Thanks
I wonder, if one does a little hop a second before take off will the mechanism malfunction?
At least in the Daktronics system I am familiar with, no. The relay pad sends a signal to the timing console for every "departure" that it detects. So if there's a hop before the take-off, the relay pad will send two "departure" signals. The timing console is looking for the last departure signal, and compares it to the earliest time registered on the touchpad. Basically, the timing console keeps a moving window of opportunity... it's looking for touchpad and relay pad activity that are within a couple seconds (I don't know the exact time window), so that it gives every benefit of the doubt to the swimmer(s).
This is why it's important, when using relay pads, not to touch them. For example, if someone is leaning on the relay pad during an exchange, the pad may not properly detect the departure of the swimmer. (Yes, it's a way to cheat.)
-Rick
I wonder, if one does a little hop a second before take off will the mechanism malfunction?
At least in the Daktronics system I am familiar with, no. The relay pad sends a signal to the timing console for every "departure" that it detects. So if there's a hop before the take-off, the relay pad will send two "departure" signals. The timing console is looking for the last departure signal, and compares it to the earliest time registered on the touchpad. Basically, the timing console keeps a moving window of opportunity... it's looking for touchpad and relay pad activity that are within a couple seconds (I don't know the exact time window), so that it gives every benefit of the doubt to the swimmer(s).
This is why it's important, when using relay pads, not to touch them. For example, if someone is leaning on the relay pad during an exchange, the pad may not properly detect the departure of the swimmer. (Yes, it's a way to cheat.)
-Rick
