Obscure rules Q: Can you opt-up during a runoff?

[Than_Bogan]

And if you can, can you do so on the very first pass?

 

It's hard to imagine a situation where doing so makes sense, but I witnessed one where it might have deserved consideration.

 

With a strong tailwind off the dock, the first person in the run-off went out and ran the tailwind pass, and the headwind pass, and a few buoys on his 3rd run-off pass.

 

So now the guy on the dock knows he must run "pass #2" and get further in "pass #3." That pass #3 part would be easier in the headwind direction. And since the second guys knows the must run pass #2 to have a chance, he's risking less (than a usual opt-up situation) if he just goes off the dock at pass #2.

 

Legal??

[webbdawg99]

I dont know the rulebook inside and out....but I can't think of any reason that the skier wouldn't have the option to opt up....even if its the first pass.

[klindy]

Under class L or R (IWWF rules) the answer is yes a skier can skip any pass Rule 14.10. Under AWSA rules tthe skier may also skip any pass (Rule 10.14).

 

 

[Than_Bogan]

Thanks! That was actually what I thought, but many people I asked had the opposite instinct because they tell you what pass you must start at in a run-off.

 

@klindy Are you implying that the answer is different for E? (I can't think of when a run-off would happen in a class C, but I suppose I'm curious about the rules there, to.)

[klindy]

Negative. Technically it's the same for both AWSA and IWWF (classes C-E-L-R). I believe it's still possible to elect a slower than max speed in an IWWF tournament and 'opt up' to a shorter rope length rather than bumping speed. Where AWSA requires the boat to be at max speed before you can shorten again. I can't think of a run off scenario where this would be a smart tactic but I believe it's possible under the current rules unless something's changed recently.

[E_T]

@than_bogan yes it is legal. Andy Maple would do it all the time

[ForrestGump]

I have seen a runoff at Regionals where one skier opted up. Skiers tied at 38. First skier went off dock at 35 and ran it, then got 4 at 38. Second skier went off dock at 38 and ran it for the win.

[Than_Bogan]

Cool. Thanks guys. I'll be shocked if this ever comes up for me (two runoffs in the last decade), but it's fun to know the rules.

[Kelvin]

Most head-to-head tournaments do not allow opt ups, but they put that into their specific rules for the event.

[E_T]

@than_bogan Jeff Rodgers also did it last year at the ATL Pro-Am

[MattP]

@E_T that was not a head to head..