Speed trials rules (Closed for comments)
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Started
There are currently no speed trials rules in the rulebook. Which ones do we want? Here is one example: http://uninationals2013.com/event-rules/
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Maybe the main question is if Speed trials should become a discipline and so get rules or should stay as an option for tie / a fun discipline. Speed and Trial are two things that are normaly not in direct relation. Ther main Idea of trial is to manage obstacles without any time limit (beside from the all over time limit). Speed Trial is very different from this. It can be fun but it is not trial at all. So I think it is ok as it is, it can be a tie solution or a fun competition but shouldnt be another discipline.
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I'm not an expert here, but will offer that we might not want to nail it down to one set of rules if there are variations that people like. What we did with Track events in the past was to list recommended rules for the non-mandatory events. One of the primary purposes of rule-making is to try to think of all the "gray areas" that may occur and figure out how to rule on them ahead of time, so they don't create confusion during a competition event.
So it would be possible to write ouline, or detailed, rulesets for different types of Speed Trials, without any of them being a requirement. Just try to answer all the questions a person might have who is putting together an event based on those rules, and include them in the text.
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Any opinions from actual trials riders here?
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I am never against the idea of adding rules in the Rulebook, as the host will always have the option of not including this particular event, according to "1.3 Host’s Option - Unicon". Speed Trials is indeed very different from Trials, but so is Trials from Muni, which didn't stop us from formalizing Trials and including it in the Rulebook. I find that making official rules gives more credibility to a discipline, even in the eyes of an organizer, as well as making his job easier.
I like the rules that were posted. They are sufficiently precise, while leaving some parts more general. The only parts where I am uncertain is the mention of different categories (beginner, advanced, expert - which can be easily fixed by simply removing this part), and the "limited to 2 official timed attempts". This is, to my knowledge, what has always been used and I like it, but are we ready to define such a number, and do we have to? In the case of Speed Trials, as opposed to Slalom for example where the course is regulated, the obstacles change at each competition and it's not possible to compare results anyways.
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Hugo,
What specific rules are you referring to? Can you link to them for reference?
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Hugo,
What specific rules are you referring to? Can you link to them for reference?
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Sorry, I was referring to the ones you posted that were used at NAUCC 2013: http://uninationals2013.com/event-rules/
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Those NAUCC 2013 Speed Trials rules are great. I love how simple the rules are for new events! I also like how it follows much of the basic format of the IUF Slalom. If people know one, the other will make sense.
In terms of keeping things flexible, events like this, that are new or new-ish, could be presented as optional things with suggested rules. In other words, the host could choose to follow those rules exactly, or make modifications. As usual, anything that's not found in the existing rules should be figured out, discussed and published well in advance. As we know, the reality of this often suffers, but it also allows for creativity, and evolution of these events.
Section 2.20 in the current Rulebook shows the Track & Field events that are presented as "Alternate, Optional or Fun". I notice Medley is still in there! I know we did one at NAUCC 2004, but never at a Unicon. It's there as an example of thinking outside the traditional event box.
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I Think i talked with Scott about rules for speed trials at last unicon.
I Think i would be great to have two lines of different level. And these lines should be desribed like iuf slalom, so that people can build and train at home.
This way there will be a worldrecord to aim for.
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I am bumping this discussion.
If I understand correctly what you mean Kristian, I think I like the idea, that is, publishing the design of the Speed Trials course before the event (as we initially wanted to do with Trials at U17). If you actually meant to have a standard Speed Trials course, the same way as there is a standard IUF Slalom course which would be the same at each event, then I would disagree. I think a great part of the fun in Trials is to discover new obstacles at each event.
As for the two levels of line, I am ambiguous. On the one hand, younger/starting riders could benefit from an easier course so they do the competition as a race, as it actually is. However, on the other hand, I find that a nicely designed course should be rideable for any level of rider: challenging even without time constraints for a starting rider, and a race for an expert rider. I think I prefer the idea of everyone riding the same course as we can compare all the results with each other. Plus, beginners can look up to experts and tell themselves they rode the same obstacles.
Let's keep the discussion going!