February
22, 2007
Rules
Updates - Feb. 22, 2007
After
polling canoe paddlers registered in
this year's race, the YRMPA board approved
a change back to one tandem canoe class
for the 2007 event. This was being contemplated
for the 2008 race, but there was no
overwhelming opposition (less than 30%)
to going ahead and making the change
this year. About half of the canoe teams
responded to the poll with about 55%
favoring the change this year. About
15% were undecided or had no opinion,
leaving the decision up to the board.
The
tandem canoe class now combines the
specs for the stock and standard classes.
The specs for this class are detailed
under Rule 11. The total possible purse
of $26,500 remains unchanged in Rule
10, as the prize money from the previous
open standard class has been spread
throughout the remaining solo and tandem
classes. The higher voyageur class prize
money remains the same.
In
addition, there is new language in Rule
10 regarding eligibility for prize money.
The old system of "moving up"
teams if there were less than three
in a class has been replaced. There
were a couple instances this year where
we had classes with no place to "move
up," plus it was unfair to some
classes that were not being filled year
after year (we need more women's tandem
teams!). We have replaced this with
a new, more equitable, prize eligibility
system which requires a team to beat
another in its class, or finish within
one-third of the fastest overall time
in the race. This is explained in more
detail with examples under Rule 10.
The
other rules revisions were more of a
"clean-up" nature:
• Boat substitution language
has been moved to the bottom of Rule
10, with additional language regarding
damaged boats.
• Special awards revisions
and finisher pin language added under
Rule 11.
• Additional language added to
Team Support Rule 19 to clarify what
assistance is and is not allowed.
• Rule 24 Carmacks camping fee
increase to $5 per person to be collected
before race at bib pick-up. (We are
working with the campground on new inbound-outbound
docks, a dry changing area, boat storage,
and having support available for unassisted
paddlers – see Carmacks
FAQ).
The
board does not like to make rules changes
after the registration period has begun,
but sometimes paddler input necessitates
a look at rules that need better clarification.
This was the case with all of the above
rules changes. In the case of the canoe
class combination, this was done with
a further outreach to effected paddlers
in an effort to make this decision as
fair as possible. No other changes to
the rules for the 2007 race are contemplated.
With this behind us, we are proceeding
to put on a great 2007 event.
If
you have any questions about these changes,
please e-mail me at info@yukonriverquest.com.
- Jeff Brady, president, YRMPA
