WRIC goes Virtual

[winniewinser]

Could be interesting to see how this pans out and how they can make it fair.

http://www.worldrowing.com/news/2021-wo ... es-virtual

Makes it more accessible with no need to travel too.

[Yankeerunner]

It's better than nothing, but at least half the fun of the big competitions is meeting up in person with people you have only read about or have known only through internet interactions (like here). It will be a shame to miss out on that.

But, we do what we have to do,

[Dangerscouse]

It's better than nothing, but at least half the fun of the big competitions is meeting up in person with people you have only read about or have known only through internet interactions (like here). It will be a shame to miss out on that.

But, we do what we have to do,

Very true. I really enjoyed putting faces to names at BRIC last December, but needs must...

[Dangerscouse]

Could be interesting to see how this pans out and how they can make it fair.

http://www.worldrowing.com/news/2021-wo ... es-virtual

Makes it more accessible with no need to travel too.

Thanks Alex, this is an interesting proposition and I'll get in 2k shape for this

[winniewinser]

Very true. I really enjoyed putting faces to names at BRIC last December, but needs must...

True.....put that beer on ice Stu!

[Dangerscouse]

Very true. I really enjoyed putting faces to names at BRIC last December, but needs must...

True.....put that beer on ice Stu!

Hahahaha, yes mate. You never know it might be all good again by December or surely by February for the English Champs in Manchester

[NavigationHazard]

One of the problems with live, virtual racing is simultaneity. When it's (say) 10 am in London, it's 9 pm in New Zealand, 5 am in New York, and 2 am in Los Angeles. I don't see any way to find start times that 'work' equitably for everyone. If everybody in the final for a given classification goes head to head, some (or even most) of the rowers in that race are going to be seriously impacted by the necessary time shifting.

Other things that will need resolution: doping controls; protection against alterations to ergs and/or monitors; protection against team efforts passed off as individual results; race-time validation of weight, age, and other classification categories, to ensure that the person on the registration card is the person who rows; agreement on a stable, preferably freeware platform for multiple-boat virtual racing that a substantial majority of the rowing community will be able to install and run; how to handle the inevitable transmission dropouts, server disconnects, and so on; etc. etc.

IMO the issues are formidable. That's not to suggest they're unsolvable. But it is to suggest that some smaller, 'beta' events might be a good idea before FISA goes all-in next February....

[lindsayh]

One of the problems with live, virtual racing is simultaneity. When it's (say) 10 am in London, it's 9 pm in New Zealand, 5 am in New York, and 2 am in Los Angeles. I don't see any way to find start times that 'work' equitably for everyone. If everybody in the final for a given classification goes head to head, some (or even most) of the rowers in that race are going to be seriously impacted by the necessary time shifting.

Other things that will need resolution: doping controls; protection against alterations to ergs and/or monitors; protection against team efforts passed off as individual results; race-time validation of weight, age, and other classification categories, to ensure that the person on the registration card is the person who rows; agreement on a stable, preferably freeware platform for multiple-boat virtual racing that a substantial majority of the rowing community will be able to install and run; how to handle the inevitable transmission dropouts, server disconnects, and so on; etc. etc.

IMO the issues are formidable. That's not to suggest they're unsolvable. But it is to suggest that some smaller, 'beta' events might be a good idea before FISA goes all-in next February....

I agree Jon it is very tricky.
It is good news in that many many more people may be able to participate without the travel (it is really hard to get to the northern hemisphere and race at your best) BUT the time zones are definitely the biggest problem. I know that Rowing Australia have already been involved in the testing of some virtual rowing trials based on programs run from the Netherlands so they are already testing systems. The ARIC has been multiple venues for a few years but not linked. It is difficult to match the vibe of a proper race day though.

I think that they are planning some regional events in the lead up to the finals:

While further details are to be determined, FISA’s intention is to organise a WRICH with multiple rounds of competition. The first round would be open to any competitor with access to a Concept2 machine ('static Concept2 Model C, D or E with a PM3, PM4 or PM5). The final round of the Championships is intended to be a virtual live race. “This funnelled approach to a final round of racing will allow FISA to create a dynamic sport presentation with a strong athlete-focused narrative,” say Rolland.

[NavigationHazard]

To add to the previous couple of posts: FISA and C2 between them also need to come to some understanding regarding possible world records. At the moment, "All static indoor rower 2000 meter record-breaking times must be rowed at a Concept2 sanctioned indoor rowing event with witnesses present." My understanding of this is that time trials and virtual races don't count for record purposes. But if they're hoping to attract the world's leading ergers next February, there's a strong possibility that some listed records are going to be challenged. So how do they propose to deal with any such results? Accept them? Accept them with an asterisk? Give out the medals without accepting the times as new records? Your guess is as good as mine....

[le grand fromage]

To add to the previous couple of posts: FISA and C2 between them also need to come to some understanding regarding possible world records. At the moment, "All static indoor rower 2000 meter record-breaking times must be rowed at a Concept2 sanctioned indoor rowing event with witnesses present." My understanding of this is that time trials and virtual races don't count for record purposes. But if they're hoping to attract the world's leading ergers next February, there's a strong possibility that some listed records are going to be challenged. So how do they propose to deal with any such results? Accept them? Accept them with an asterisk? Give out the medals without accepting the times as new records? Your guess is as good as mine....

Hi Nav, noticed this in the BRVC20 race handbook, seems like there's an agreement on records. Bit of a faff having to video though.

Records
The British Rowing Virtual Championships has been confirmed as a Concept2 sanctioned event, and
therefore Concept2 records can be broken by competitors – with the exception of lightweight
records due to the inability to verify weigh-in procedures appropriately. See the Concept2 website
for more information on how this would normally be verified.

British Rowing will be in touch following the British Rowing Virtual Championships with any
competitor who appears to have broken a record during the event to confirm the process of
verification but for those who think it is a possibility, please bear the following in mind:
In order to approve a record, Concept2 require you to submit a video of the row. This video needs
to be a single take that includes a close-up of the monitor before the start, a clear view of the
athlete and erg throughout the race, and a close-up of the monitor after the finish.

The ErgRace log file will need to be submitted to Concept2 by the race organiser, which in this case
is British Rowing.

Documentation to confirm age is to be made available upon request along with proof of sport class
from an international (World Rowing) or a national governing body for para-rowing.