Rulebook

Proposal 29: Make use of the penalty / micro-error system in slow racing optional [ Revision 2 ]

Committee: Track and Field
Submitted on 2016-12-16
Status: Passed on January 10, 2017

Background

Traditionally, slow racing has been judged by human judges, checking adherance to the rules by eye. Because human judges cannot reliably detect small errors, a system of assigning penalty seconds has recently been introduced. In that system, penalty seconds are assigned for so-called micro-errors, or in case the judges are in doubt whether a rule was broken or not.

I see several issues with this rule:

It leaves a grey are between micro-errors and real errors. For example: the rule states that twisting the wheel 46 or 48 degrees is reason for a micro-error, but twisting 90 degrees should result in DQ. What to do with a 50 degree twist? 80 degree?
Such penalty rules do not exist elsewhere in unicycle racing. It would be very strange (I think) if a penalty second were assigned if the referee isn't sure about a false start in track racing and then calls it a "micro-error". Fortunately, we have a technical means (light beam) to detect false starts objectively and accurately.

It would be much better to develop somehow technical solutions to check if the rules of slow racing are followed or not. Proof of principle has already been demonstrated with the "Gyro Judge" (see References), but this idea needs further development and testing before it can be used in competitions. I would encourage the "slow racers community" to investigate these ideas further. That might well be done before the rulebook that we are discussing will be superseded, which is probably well into 2019.

For the meantime, I propose to make the system of penalty seconds optional. Especially in cases where a reliable technical means to check for errors is used, assigning penalty seconds is not needed, and the rulebook should allow for that situation.

Proposal

OLD RULE:

3B.6.4.2 Penalty Rules

The judges give penalties to riders who seem to make “micro-errors” (for example twisting about 46 or 48 degrees or vibrations of the wheel) or if they are in doubt if an error was made. Each penalty deducts one second from the ridden time. Riders are still disqualified if their wheel comes off the board or other obvious errors are made, for example dismounting or twisting 90 degrees.

= = = = =

PROPOSED RULE:

3B.6.4.2 Optional Penalty Rules

Optionally, a host can decide to use a system wherein the judges may give penalties to riders who seem to make “micro-errors” or if the judges are in doubt whether an error was made. Examples of micro-errors are twisting about 46 or 48 degrees, or vibrations of the wheel. Each penalty deducts one second from the ridden time. Riders are still disqualified for clear errors, such as riding off the board, dismounting or twisting 90 degrees.
Using these penalty rules is especially discouraged for possible errors for which a reliable objective detection system is being used.

Body

See discussion.

References

Gyro Judge:

http://www.unicyclist.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1644737#post1644737

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnWOU6-4Ndg

The Android app is available on Google Play.

Discussion

View Discussion

Change Log:

Revision 2 changed by Klaas Bil (16 Dec 17:19): Improved formatting, no text changes.
Revision 1 changed by Klaas Bil (16 Dec 17:19)

Votes on this proposal:

9 out of 14 voting members have voted.

Agree: 6, Disagree: 1, Abstain: 2.