Referee Clinic

Level II

Referee on the Water

Referee Commission, 2005

Slide 2

Thank You!

The Referee Commission wishes to acknowledge the contributions of the following referees who generously donated their time and expertise to compile this presentation.

Robert Appleyard, Lombard, IllinoisTerry Ryan, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Larry Tolle, Atlanta, IndianaNikola Vajda, Buffalo Grove, Illinois

Slide 3

About This Presentation

This presentation is one of a series being developed for Referees.

These presentations are an effort on the part of the Referee Commission to expand the available training materials currently available to Referees.

These presentations are developed for the purpose of Referee education; they may be duplicated and distributed freely for the use of referees and any other member of the rowing community.

The Referee Commission hopes to continue to develop additional presentations.

We welcome your input and comments on this, as well as all other, presentations. Please contact your regional representative or your nearest clinician with your comments.

Slide 4

Clinic Presentation Level

This Clinic illustrates the proper skills

the Referee must use at all rowing events

Slide 5

Agenda

Attributes of a Competent Referee Safety & Fairness In-Between Races At the Start General Guidelines for the Referee Launch Positioning At the Finish Protest

Slide 6

Referee Mission (rule 2-104)

The Referee has general supervision of the

race and follows the race from start to finish.

The Referee ensures that crews and

competitors comply with the Rules of Rowing

and have a safe and fair race.

Slide 7

Developing competency as a Referee

All sports officiating is more craft than science, but none more so than rowing.

While characterized by a fairly stable set of activities, crew officiating is not readily analyzable.

Crew officiating requires extensive training and experience.

Slide 8

Developing competency as a Referee—continued

Referees are asked to respond to intangible factors in developing situations based on wisdom, intuition, and experience

No where is this more evident than on-the water

No where is the old adage ‘experience is the best teacher’ more true

On the Water skills are best learned in the Referee launch

Slide 9

Developing competency as a Referee—continued

The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of the principles and guidelines that collectively define the duties and responsibilities of an “On-the-Water” Referee

Slide 10

Attributes of a Competent Referee

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Awareness

–As the race unfolds, a competent referee is fully aware of what is happening from moment to moment

Anticipation

–A competent referee develops the ability to anticipate what will be happening a few strokes further into the race Knowledge and Understanding

– All decisions and actions made by the referee should be based upon the principles of safety and fairness

Decisiveness

– Based upon his or her awareness of the moment, coupled with anticipation of what shall unfold, a competent referee will

– Make decisions – Take appropriate actions

Slide 11

Referee Attributes

First & foremost: Develop a practical and working understanding of the

principles of safety and fairness

Maintain good familiarity with the USRowing Rules of Rowing

Have at least some technical understanding of rowing, and competitive race strategies

Become comfortable and confident in your judgment and decision making

Slide 12

Referee Attributes —continued

Possess an appropriate knowledge of the mechanics for each of the following tasks: Traversing the race course before and after the

race Duties and responsibilities while following the

race Communicating with the crews Launch positioning guidelines Stopping a race At the finish

Slide 13

Referee’s Position(2-403)

Take whatever position places you to best protect 1) Safety 2) Fairness of competition

• Don’t wake crews (fairness) unless higher consideration (safety) requires

Slide 14

Referees must be concerned with the safety of all crews within the designated boundaries of the race course and training areas

Concern for safety extends to the individual athlete While safety is a primary concern of all officials,

responsibility for safety rests with the individual crews and athletes

Regatta safety extends to posted crew practice sessions prior to race day - requires safety monitors (Chief Referee consideration)

SafetyThe Deciding factor

(rule 2-101)

Slide 15

SafetyThe Deciding factor

(rule 2-101)—continued

The Referee: Prevents accidents from occurring, whenever possible Serves as the “first-responder” to an athlete or crew in distress Serves as the “primary observer” for unsafe conditions Serves as the “primary advocate” for safety to regatta

organizers (LOC)

An obligation to safety requires that referees remain attentive the entire time they are on the water

Slide 16

The Chief Referee has many safety considerations: Equipment:

Launch design.– Reliability & maneuverability– Capacity for additional passengers– Capability to approach a shell– Capability to recover someone from the water– Water displacement/wakes

Safe for the Referee? Supplies for the launch:

– PFDs– Paddle

Supplies:– Extra water– Blankets -Regatta Heat Bag

Safety considerations (rules 2-203, 2-204, 2-205, 2-206, 2-207)

Slide 17

Race Course: Traffic patterns; warm-up/warm-down

areas Proper course markings; buoys Obstacles on or near the racecourse, or

in training areas Currents and local water conditions

Safety considerations—continued

(rules 2-203, 2-204, 2-205, 2-206, 2-207)

Slide 18

Logistics How many referee launches are there? Are there support personnel or safety marshals? Are there rescue/safety boats (in addition to referee

launches)? Is the race course open or closed to other boat traffic? How good is the communication system? What are the on-shore emergency and medical assistance

capabilities and procedures?

Weather Wind, rough water, and storms Heat or cold Contingency plans

Safety considerations—continued

Logistics and Weather

Slide 19

Referees have an obligation to provide direct assistance to rowers or crews in distress

First Evaluator/Second Evaluator system: First evaluator takes charge, provides direct assistance or

coordinates assistance Second evaluator acts as “administrative assistant”

Rower(s) in Water: Stay with boat, near seat position Athletes first, Equipment second Weather conditions?

– Temperature transfer of water is 20 times greater than that of air– Spring - out of water– Fall - keep in water– Always use Regatta Heat Bag or body wrap

Incident Response

Slide 20

Incident Response

Alert other officials via radio: What happened? What is the location? What type of assistance is needed?

Follow-up—Immediate: Medical assistance is implemented, if needed Equipment is accounted for What about the race?

Follow-up—Long Term Chief Referee and/or Regatta Director is briefed Notes made and reports filed (if needed) Check with coach or team representative Attend to your own needs Note accidents on USRA Safety Form

Slide 21

The only factors that should determine the outcome of any one race, or group of races within an elimination class (heats, reps, or semis), are the skill and abilities of the athletes and crews

At the same time, all crews should have “equal chances” as they progress through an individual race, as well as, through any system of elimination races to reach a final

In general, conditions and circumstances between lanes within a given race, as well as between races within an elimination class must remain “equally fair” or “equally unfair”

Each referee must develop an intuitive sense of what constitutes “fairness”

What Constitutes “fairness”?

Slide 22

Referee determines fairness of race (rule 2-404)

Two standards can be applied to judge whether or not the fairness of the race has been compromised or invalidated: Was a crew disadvantaged relative to the others in the race, for

reasons outside of their own skill and ability? Did a crew gain an unfair advantage over others in the race?

The Referee’s sense of fairness must apply equally to all crews within a race Any form of assistance that is provided to an individual athlete or

crew should be readily available to all athletes and crews within a race

A “bad break” to an individual athlete or crew does not necessarily constitute a breach of fairness

Slide 23

“Interference” is any outside circumstance acting within a crew’s protected water (i.e. lane) that hinders its progress relative to other crews in the race

Interference by another crew:– wake or wash– clashing or interlocking oars– collision between boats

Collision with an obstacle:– flotsam and jetsam (geese, sailboards, paddle boats, and the like)

Unfair conditions within a lane, relative to the other lanes:– wind or current– waterfowl, swimmers– seaweed, etc.

Defining “fairness” while on the water: Interference (rule 2-404)

Slide 24

Defining “fairness” while on the water:Unfair Advantages

An “unfair advantage” is typically viewed as one crew rowing a shorter distance, or taking advantage of favorable water or conditions, relative to the other crews

Pre-established criteria:– doglegs– current– lee shore

Dynamic conditions:– wind– shifting advantage currents

Slide 25

The Referee is to “protect the fairness” of the race

The Referee must think and act proactively The Referee’s responsibility is to anticipate and

attempt to prevent interference from negating a crew’s equal chances, as well as one crew from gaining an unfair advantage over the others.

Slide 26

The Referee is to “protect the fairness” of the race—continued

If interference or outside circumstances impact a crew during a race, the referee must render an immediate judgement as to whether or not the crew’s equal chances to have been negated If the impact is minimal, take no action If the crew’s “equal chances” have been

compromised or eliminated, the referee must determine:

– whether actions can be taken to restore equal chances to the crew, without having to stop the race

– whether the competitive value of the race has been eliminated, in which case the race should be stopped

Slide 27

The Referee is to “protect the fairness” of the race—continued

Unlike other sports, the primary focus of

the rowing referee is not to call fouls

and penalties;

Rather, we are called upon to play an

active role to ensure that each crew

experiences a safe and fair race.

Slide 28

Launch Team Driver and Referee

Key topics to review with your driver at the

beginning of your ‘relationship’

Hand Signals

Launch position at Start

Race Position Return to Start procedures

Slide 29

Why Hand Signals

Minimize Referee presence

Maximize race contact

Build Team work

Slide 30

Straighten out.Straighten out.

.

Slow Down. Stop.

Move in that direction.

O.K. Keep that position.

Hand Signals

Slide 31

Be with the crews in the start area five minutes early Monitor the traffic pattern around and on the course Help position the crews into the platform or stakeboats,

if needed and requested by starter: Be patient! Use proper instructions and tone of voice

Identify each crew in the race Double-check the progression of the upcoming race Watch the crews, listen to commands Check your equipment Check with other referees

Referee At The StartPreparing for the race

Slide 32

Stand up in the launch Stopwatch, flags, megaphone, launch, and driver all ready Watch crews and hands (bow or cox?)

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Referee At The StartTwo minutes to go

Slide 33

“The clock is running…” Hand up at start/did not start Watching the Judge-at-Start; False starts Collisions or major interference Rower in the water or overturned boat

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Referee At The StartAttention, Go! -- The first 100 meters

Slide 34

Breakage(rules 2-311 and 2-407(d))

If a boat stops rowing within 100 meters of the start,

STOP THE RACE! First 100 meters (AKA the breakage zone) are :

• Marked with flags at the side of the course or

• Change in bouy colors or

• Defined as the first 20 seconds of the race

Approach the boat to determine if they have breakage What does not constitute breakage?

Failure of the Cox-box or other rowing aids Breakage due to crabs or jumped slides Equipment failure due to poor maintenance

Slide 35

Breakage(rules 2-311, 2-406, 2-405)

Check boat for broken equipment. The affected crew may restart with no

penalty if there was legitimate breakage The crew may be penalized (e.g. warning)

if they stopped with no breakage Inform the Starter ASAP

Slide 36

Primary Duties of the Refereeonce the race is underway

(rules 2-403, 2-404)

Maintain the safety and fairness of the race: Safety: always Fairness: maintain and protect “equal chances” for all crews in the race

Warn crews to: Prevent interference Prevent a crew from gaining an unfair advantage Prevent an accident

Do not steer the crews !! Proper steering is part of the skill of racing

Mentally record a factual record of the race

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Slide 37

Each crew has the right to an unobstructed use of its own lane

Each crew is responsible for its own steering

Each crew may leave its lane if .... It does not interfere with another crew that is within its own

lane It does not gain an unfair advantage; slack water, etc It does not violate traffic rules of the course; e.g. cross into

warmup lane It does not create a safety issue

Rights and Responsibilities of crews during the race (rules 2-401, 2-402, 2-404)

Slide 38

What does the Referee communicate to a crew? For one crew to move either port or starboard, to avoid

interference For two crews to keep apart For one crew to stop rowing to avoid interference or an accident For all crews to stop rowing

The Referee uses both verbal and visual indications when communicating with a crew: The verbal command is to get the crew’s attention The visual command gives the indication for what action the

crew should take

Communicating with crews during the race

Slide 39

Megaphone and flag use(rule 2-407)

For one crew to move either port or starboard, to avoid interference: Get the crew’s attention by calling its name while holding

the white flag vertical Direct the crew to move to the port or starboard by

holding the white flag in that direction For two crews to keep apart:

Get crews’ attention while holding the white flag vertical While still holding the white flag vertical, announce to the

crews: “Keep apart!”

Slide 40

Megaphone and flag use(rule 2-407)—continued

Racing cadence: Get the crew’s attention by calling its

name while holding the white flag vertical Announce “race cadence!” to the crew

while continuing to hold the white flag vertical

Slide 41

Megaphone and flag use(rule 2-407)—continued

For one crew to stop rowing: Get the crew’s attention by calling its name while holding

the white flag vertical Announce “Stop rowing!” to the crew while continuing to

hold the white flag vertical

For all crews to stop rowing (stopping the race): Raise red flag Sound wistle, horn or bell Use verbal commands to “Stop rowing !”

Slide 42

To Avoid unsafe conditions(2-408)

Previously known obstacle: Name crew, call “Obstacle” or “Stop”, no steering

Previously unknown: Name crew, call “Obstacle” or “Stop”, indicate direction to alter course, restore “opportunity”

Return to lane crews seeking sheltered water or otherwise gaining advantage

Slide 43

The objective is to give a clear and unambiguous indication to just the particular crew that the Referee is attempting to warn

Proper launch positioning is the key to achieving this objective “Getting the crew’s attention” means getting the stroke to look up

at the Referee Crew(s) must be able to clearly see the Referee, before any

indications are given Always minimize the disturbance to other crews in the race. In some situations, non-verbal commands can be given to an

individual crew: “Private” communication between the Referee and one particular

crew means that other crews can concentrate fully upon their own race

This requires good launch positioning, coupled with appropriate “body language” from the Referee

Effective communication

Slide 44

Summary:Referee’s Instructions (2-407)

Alter course: white straight up, call crew, move flag in direction sought

Keep apart: white flag straight up, call crews, “Keep Apart”

Crew(s) to stop rowing: White straight up, “Stop”; resume has white straight up, “Resume rowing”, drop flag forward

All Crews stop: Red straight up, “Stop”, sound

Slide 45

Experience hones sense of anticipation How well will the crews respond?

– novices and juniors– seasoned racers– masters

Are all boat classes the same?– infamous straight pairs– everything else

What type of a race are you following?– Heats versus finals– progression system

Where in the race are you?– straight ahead at the start– mid-race power 20s– do or (and) die sprint to the finish

Strategic Launch Positioning

Slide 46

Anticipation is the name of the game!

Get into position before something happens

Don’t get boxed into one location

Strategic Launch Positioning

Slide 47

Effective communication with your driver: Change lanes Slow down or speed up Everything OK Position relative to specific crews or lanes

There is no “out-of-bounds” for the referee launch

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The Referee is always in control of the Launch (rule 2-403)

Slide 48

Never follow directly behind blind boats (1x, 2x, 4x) A good practice is to always stay alongside a buoy line

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unobstructed sight

obstructed sight

Launch position within the lane

Slide 49

Know the priorities of each race: The type of race (heat, rep, semi, final) determines the “key place” Be aware of “races within a race” between trailing crews

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do not block line-of-sight heat or final??

Launch position relative to crews in the race

Slide 50

Look at the other Referee Always work as a Referee team! Take advantage of the extra help to fully cover the race

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don't ride side-by-side

Launch position relative to another Referee

Slide 51

Keep“appropriate” distance between yourself and the crews: Don’t get so close so as to disturb the rowers concentration and

focus Don’t trail so far back that the race gets away from you

Make lane changes crisply Don’t wander all around behind the field

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too close

too far

Changing launch position

Slide 52

Surfin’ wakes sometimes solves the problem

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Launch Positioning:Avoid Waking the crews

Slide 53

Sometimes, it has to be done: There is no rule that prohibits the Referee from passing a crew within a race However, pass crews only when the priorities of the race dictate that this

must be done

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Launch Positioning: Waking a crew (rule 2-403)

Slide 54

Wake a crew only once !! The wake should pass once through the crew Don’t cause a crew to surf in your wake for any distance

Warn the Crew Be considerate, but don’t loose

control of the race As the launch turns call the name

the crew and call Wake! - no flag R

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Launch Positioning:The Right Way to Wake a crew

Slide 55

Common Launch Positioning Errors

Getting into position too slowly after the start Not watching the entire race Focusing on just a single boat Blocking the view of boats that are racing Not watching or working with the other Referee Loosing contact with the medal or advancing crews Drifting back as the finish approaches

Slide 56

Unfair conditions during the race: Interference (rule 2-404)

Prevent by instruction before interference happens

Interference can’t happen unless a crew enters another crew’s water

Consists of Physical contact WashingCausing course alteration to avoid contact

Slide 57

Unfair conditions during the race: Interference (rule 2-404) —continued

A crew is outside of its allowed water when any part

of the boat or oars crosses the lane boundary

Interference includes both physical contact, and

forcing another crew to change course to avoid

collision

If both crews are out of their lanes, always act to

prevent an accident, and a crew cannot be blocked

from returning to its proper lane

Slide 58

Reacting to Interference

Always anticipate before the foul is committed!

Instruct the offending crew to alter course to prevent interference

Instruct the offending crew to stop only when absolutely necessary

Slide 59

Resolving the consequences of Interference (rules 2-406, 2-602)

Interference has occurred whenever a crew in contention has been unfairly deprived of its chance to place or advance

If the purpose of the race has been irretrievably compromised due to interference, the Referee should stop that race

Penalties are imposed after the race has been stopped or has reached the finish

The goal of any actions or decisions by the Referee is to restore the opportunity of the aggrieved crew to place or advance

Slide 60

Penalizing Interference (2-406)

The Rules state that the presumed penalty is exclusion

However, what if… Interference slight (no lost opportunity) Interference severe or intentional (DQ) Interference occurred before instruction Interference @ start (maybe warn)

Slide 61

Unfair conditions during the race: Obstacles (rules 2-405, 2-407, 2-408)

Always protect the safety of the crews In general, crews are not to be steered around

known obstacles on the racecourse for example: a bridge abutment

Crews may be given assistance if the obstacle was unknown before the race For example: a dock breaks loose and floats into one of

the lanes If the obstacle was not identified before the race,

the opportunity for a crew to place or advance should be protected and restored

Crews must not gain an unfair advantage by being steered around an obstacle

Slide 62

Unfair conditions during the race: Race Cadence (rule 2-409)

Limited Application: This rule applies to heats with a repechage and row-overs

The purpose of this rule is fairness, to ensure that all crews face similar conditions as they advance towards a final

A minimum cadence (stroke rate) should be announced to all crews before the race starts

This rule applies specifically to crews which do not advance or win Advancing or winning automatically indicates that

the race cadence was acceptable

Slide 63

Unfair conditions during the race: Outside Assistance (rule 2-410)

Other than shouting from the shore (with the unassisted voice) crews may not receive coaching or outside assistance during a race

Coaches or other team members may not follow a race in a launch

Race commentary which is audible to the crews shall be stopped during the last 250 meters

Slide 64

A race should be stopped for one of two reasons: Conditions become unsafe:

– When there is concern over the safety or health of an individual rower

– When unsafe conditions occur for one or more crews The race becomes unfair

– Opportunity to win, place, advance affected– No further competitive value in continuing

Practical considerations: Distance into the race; 500 m. vs. 1500 m The type of race; heat versus final Options for remedying the situation; advance crew to lane 7

instead of a rerow

Stopping a race(rule 2-405)

Slide 65

Be Certain! There is no going back

(usually) once the red flag is waved!

Be Decisive! Don’t waste the crew’s

energy if the race should be stopped

Stopping a race(rule 2-405) —continued

Slide 66

Returning to the start between races

Low speed approach: Used when there are sufficient referees and/or

long race centers Staggered return to start, usually with several

intervening races Allows for safety and backup coverage along

the entire racecourse

Sometimes called the “FISA return system”

Slide 67

Stay in the agreed upon pattern; don’t all bunch up at one spot Monitor progress of starts and races visually and via the radio NO wakes (exhaust, noise, etc.) when a race passes by Stay awake! Stay alert!

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slow

, n

o w

ake

direction of passing race

Low speed Return: How to

Slide 68

Returning to the start between races —continued

High speed approach: Used when there are short race centers and/or not

enough Referees Depending upon the rotation:

• May need to return all the way to the start (next race)• Return part-way, then wait for next race to pass by

Creates potential wake problems:• Minimized by following proper procedures• Watch for crews to side of course

Slide 69

Don’t plow through the water, try to plane your launch Always move up a center lane in a direction that is parallel

to the lanes Monitor start zone activity (visual and radio) There is only one correct way to stop and leave the course Be sure to take the weight off the launch before the turn !

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complete stop, then turn

full throttle

High speed Return: How to

Slide 70

Is the Referee “off duty” in-between races?

No! Duty of the Referee in-between the races is to:

Inspect the course Monitor traffic patterns off the course Monitor race in progress Always be prepared to become backup referee or

safety/rescue boat

Always stay engaged while on the water!

Returning to the start between races —continued

Slide 71

At the finish of the race

Time the first place crew Wait for all crews to cross the finish line Check condition of all crews Check for coxswain or boat weights Secondary Referee signals to Primary if

it is a fair race

Referee at the finish (rules 2-501, 2-502, 2-503)

Slide 72

Referee at the finish (rules 2-501, 2-502, 2-503)—continued

Anticipate protests! Check once more Signal the race status to Chief Judge as appropriate

white flag

red flag

red flag followed by white flag Report time to Chief Judge Wait for acknowledgement from Chief Judge (white

flag)

Slide 73

Finishing the Race(rule 2-504)

Crews that do not finish are not placed Unless excused from finishing by the Referee

Crews must finish with their coxswain Monitor traffic around the finish area Stop your launch before crossing the finish

line, and wait for all crews to go past Distribute water if no finish line Marshal

Slide 74

Finishing the Race(rule 2-504)—continued

Record a factual account of the race and the finish on your heat sheet Always record the winning time

• And the boat ID, if you know it

Note any crews that did not finish Note any accompanying Referees Note any incidents which occurred during the

race

Slide 75

Handling a Protest at the Finish of a Race

The first step is to listen to the complaint

Approach the crew with a neutral posture and appearance

Position your launch so that you and the crew member you are speaking to can comfortably look at one another

Avoid unnecessary yelling - it is much better to speak in a natural tone and volume

If possible, turn off the engine on the launch, especially if it is belching out fumes and exhaust

Momentarily turn down the volume on your radio

Slide 76

Handling a Protest at the Finish of a Race—continued

Allow only one spokesperson - normally the Coxswain or Captain

Your objective is to listen to the specifics of the crew’s complaint What happened? Where or when did the incident occur? How did the incident affect the crew?

Ascertain specifically what is the protest Do not coach the crew!

Slide 77

First and foremost, don’t enter into an argument!! Ask questions to clarify your understanding of what the crew has

just told you It may be helpful to summarize to the crew what you heard them

say Now (and not before) is the time to weigh in with your own

observations If you disagree with any portion of the crew’s factual account, clearly

state the discrepancy If you agree with their factual account, say so

If you cannot render a definitive assessment because you require additional information from other officials, say so Perhaps confer, but don’t convene a jury meeting on the water

Think fast, but with clarity and wisdom!

Initial Response (rules 2-603, 2-604)

Slide 78

Judging the validity of protest(rule 2-604)

“Race awareness” is critical! Do you agree with the facts reported by the crew? The Referee’s findings of fact are final and are not subject

to protest or review (rule 2-604c)

Was the crew unfairly disadvantaged by the claimed incident? This is typically a “judgement call” that must be made by

the Referee

Slide 79

Judging the validity protest(rule 2-604)—continued

Did the incident have any consequence or bearing upon the final outcome of the race? This is also a judgement call The nature of the race is a critical factor; e.g. a heat versus

a final

Is the complaint valid within the context of the Rules of Rowing (rule 2-604a)? The fairness of the race must have been compromised There must have been a violation of one or more specific

rules

Slide 80

Matters Subject to Protest

The race was not fair or was not properly conducted

The “Rules of Rowing” or the Regatta Rules were not followed

The opportunity for winning was unfairly denied

Slide 81

Matters Subject to Protest

—continued

The protest must affect the “substantial rights” of the crew; i.e., arguably affected their final placement in the race

Harmless errors that did not impact the outcome of the race are to be ignored

Slide 82

Findings of fact by the Referees Whether or not a crew was in its correct

lane Whether or not the start of the race was

fair The final order of finish as determined by

the Chief Judge

Matters Not Subject to Protest (rules 2-603, 2-604)

Slide 83

Rendering assessment concerning protest

(rule 2-606)

If you concur with the crew: Say so (“I agree with what you have just said …”) Inform the crew what recommendation you will offer to

remedy the situation Report your finding and assessment to the Chief Referee

If you do not concur with the crew: Say so (“I do not believe this warrants any actions …”) Explain (succinctly!) the basis for your assessment Ask the crew if they nevertheless intend to file a protest on

shore Advise the crew on procedures for filing a protest

Slide 84

Rendering assessment concerning protest

(rule 2-606)—continued

You agree with the crew, but do not believe that any actions should be taken to alter the order of finish, to penalize another crew, or to declare the race invalid Inform the crew that you agree with their factual

account of the race Explain the reasons why you think that no actions

should be taken

Slide 85

Considerations for respondingto a Protest

First listen -- what is the nature of the protest?

Does the crew’s account agree with your own observations from the race?

Was the crew disadvantaged? Did the incident have any consequence upon

the final outcome of the race? Is the protest valid?

Slide 86

Considerations for respondingto a Protest—continued

How could fairness be restored? Change the order of finish? Exclusion of the offending crew? Recommend advancement to “lane 7”? Re-row the race?

What instructions should be given to the crew?

When necessary, consult with the Chief Referee

Always inform the Chief Judge and Chief Referee

Slide 87

Considerations for respondingto a Protest—continued

The objective is to state clearly and without ambiguity your assessment concerning the validity of the complaint just lodged by the crew

Referees MAY NOT discourage a crew from exercising their rights within the Rules to make and file a protest

However, the Referee should strive to ensure that only valid complaints and protests are brought to the shore for jury consideration

Slide 88

Penalties(rules 2-601, 2-602)

The focus of any penalty is restoring a crew’s opportunity to win or advance Reprimand is an informal caution, but if the

action is repeated it may be treated as flagrant or intentional

Warning is a formal penalty, two warnings in a race result in exclusion of the crew, regardless of the reason for the warning. Warnings carry over to rerows

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Slide 89

Penalties(rules 2-601, 2-602)—continued

Exclusion removes the crew from the event, but the crew may compete in other events

Disqualification removes the crew or competitor from the regatta

– Assumed where crews act flagrantly or intentionally in violation of rules related to safety or fairness

– Does not extend beyond the duration of the regatta

– Chief Referee must report to the Referee Commission

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Slide 90

Penalties(rule 2-603)

Restoring the opportunity to win by altering results, consult with the Chief Referee Order a rerow of a race with some or all of its

original participants Advance the aggrieved crew into an extra lane

in a semifinal or final Place a crew guilty of interference behind the

crew they interfered with in the order of finish Declare (Chief Judge) a dead heat between the

crew interfered with and the crew immediately in front of them in the order of finish

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Slide 91

Developing competency as a Referee

The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of the principles and guidelines that collectively define the duties and responsibilities of an “On-the-Water” Referee

It is only a starting point The Referee launch is the best classroom On-the water experience is the best teacher