Ski Big Dawg 

SKI NAUTIQUE BIG DAWG RULES as of Apr. 28,  2009

BRACKET and Printable Rules

General: 

All events will be USA Water Ski Sanctioned and will follow  USA Water Ski regulations and protocol.   All Qualifiers and event finals will adhere to the rules as outlined by USA Water Ski and this document.  See Regional Guide for more specifics

Who is eligible / Entry information:

Skiers 35 and older who have not placed in the top 10 in a Pro Slalom Tournament in the past 3 years or any skier over the age of 50.   All skiers meeting the eligibility criteria above, and submit to the tournament registrar an (a) entry form, (b) proof of membership in USA Water Ski and (c) advertised entry fee.  Entries are limited to 50, and will be accepted on a first come, first-serve basis.

How to qualify for Finals:

The sweet 16 from any SNBD Qualifier are automatically invited to the Finals.  The balance of skiers will be invited as follows: the first 50% based on best single score, and the second 50% based on best cumulative scores at any SNBDQ (Maximum of 50 skiers at Finals).  Any ties will be broken by backup score from another SNBDQ.

Preliminary Rounds (Qualifiers & Finals):

• Tournament Delays:  If for some reason, (weather, Tech, or other), it is not possible to complete the second preliminary round on Sat. the Sweet 16 will be based upon the best single score from the first Preliminary round.

• Qualification Round 1 Seeding (Sat.):  If less than 30 skiers, all skiers will ski in same group.   Running order will be determined by USA Water Ski Ranking list.  If more than 30 skiers, skiers will be randomly drawn into two groups.  The running order in each group will be seeded based upon USA Water Ski Ranking List as of Monday preceding the tournament.

• Qualification Round 2 Seeding (Sat.): Skiers will be reseeded prior to the start of Round 2, based on their individual scores from Round 1.  Seeding position ties will be broken based upon USA Water Ski ranking list.  Ranking list used will be as of Monday preceding the tournament, (date of ranking list used will be posted).

• Minimum Starting Rope Length for Qualifiers and Finals Preliminary Rounds. (Sat):  Minimum Starting rope length will be 14.25 m (28 Off).  In the case of delays, (weather or other), the minimum starting rope length for round 2 my be changed to 13 m (32 off) at the discretion of the tournament officials.   

Head to Head Competition Rules and Pairings:  

• Skier seeds 1 - 8 will be based upon best single score from one of the qualifying rounds.   Any ties will be broken using back-up-score from the qualifying rounds.   If ties still exist, ties will be broken based upon USA Water Ski ranking list.

• Seeds 9-16 will be based upon cumulative score of both qualifying rounds.  In the case of a tie on cumulative score, ties will be broken using the skier’s best score from the qualifying rounds.  If ties still exist, ties will be broken based on USA Water Ski ranking list. 

• Officials & Boat Order: Officiating crews will be split into two boats (Boat 1  & Boat 2).  Designation of boat 1 and boat 2 will be based upon a coin flip by the drivers at the start of the Head to Head, and will not change during the event  (i.e. same two drivers will pull the Head to Head).  The boats will rotate which crew takes the first skier off the dock in the Head to head pairing in accordance with the following: 

• Skier pairings and selection of ski order:  Higher seed in each pairing selects which skier in pairing will ski first.  The second skier’s score must beat the first skier’s score to advance. 

• Starting Rope Lengths

Sweet 16:                               13.0m (32’ off)

Elite 8:                                    13.0m (32’ off)

Final 4 / Championship:            12.0m (35’ off)

• In the Sweet 16 Head to Head; opting up is not an option.

• A skier may, with notification to the boat judge; continue to ski in an effort to break a record.

• 3rd and 4th place will be determined by the best score (of the two loosing skiers) in the Final 4

• 5th through 8th place will be determined by best single score on Sunday.

• All skiers’ attendance at banquets is highly recommended.

Head to Head running Order:

See attached chart

Schedule & Skier Clock, Elite 8, final 4, and Championship (new for 2009): 

• Immediately upon completion of the Sweet 16 (upon completion of the 8th pairing in the sweet 16), Both skiers associated with ski order 1 of the Elite 8, should be prepared and ready for boat deployment. 

• The Elite 8 pairings will ski as per schedule below. After the fourth and final pairing of the Elite 8, and once both boats have returned to the dock, a 3-minute clock will start.   At the end of the 3 minutes, the skiers associated with the ski order 1 of the Final 4 must be ready and in the water for immediate start to the Final 4.  Skiers not in the water at the end of the 3-minute clock will be disqualified. 

• The Final 4 will ski as per the schedule below.   After the second and final pairing, (of the final 4), and once both boats have returned to the dock, a 3 minute clock will start.  At the end of the 3 minutes, the two skiers competing for the Championship must be ready and in the water for an immediate start.   A skier, not in the water, at the end of the clock will be disqualified.

Injury Protocol (new for 2009):

During the head to head competition, if one of the skiers cannot continue due to injury, the next highest scoring non-winner in that bracket will move into the next bracket to take his place.  Example:  if seed #3 wins his pairing in the Elite 8, but is hurt in the process and cannot continue the next non-winning skier with the highest score in the Elite 8, will take the injured skiers place and move into the next bracket (Final 4). 

Contingency Plans (Finals) Associated with Tournament Delays:

• 1 Hour Delay = Minimum rope length will be shortened to 35 off/12 m

• 2-Hour Delay =

Top 16 skiers will ski in seeded order (not head-2-head)

Top 4 scores will advance to a head-2-head finals

If a tie exists in places 4-16, refer to best score in qualifying rounds

If a tie still exists in cash payout positions, skiers will share the payout

• 3-Hour Delay =

Top 8 skiers will ski in seeded order (not head-2-head)

Top 4 scores will advance to a head-2-head finals

If a tie exists in places 4-16, refer to qualifying round best score

If a tie still exists in cash payout positions, skiers will share the payout

IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTINGENCY PLANS WILL BE AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR AND CHIEF JUDGE.

Note:  These rules pertain to 2009 only.  A skier who is 35 years old, and is eligible to ski in the 2009 Big Dawg however is not officially in a 34 MPH USA Water Ski Division, until after the last Day of the Nationals.   If this skier would set a 34 mph National Record, that record would not stand. 

THE FINALS 

The Plan is to have the preliminaries (two rounds) Thursday during Nationals, on the main lake at Okeeheelee, with the top 50 skiers who have qualified (in 2009) at one of The Obrien Nautique Big Dawg Qualifiers.    From Thursdays preliminaries, we will determine the Sweet 16, for the Head to Head on Friday.  The Head to Head will be on the East West Lake,  Start time approximately 6:30 PM.  The Head to Head will be Live Web Cast, (with a much improved Web Cast), and will conclude with the Final four being under the lights.     We still have a few things to work out, and will keep you posted. 

SAFETY NOTES

Safety is everyone’s responsibility. It is “Rule One”. It is an attitude in which everyone assumes responsibility for their own equipment, safety and well being and looks out for the safety and well being of others as well.

USA Water Ski Manual 2007

Handling an Emergency

Laurie Lindsey

Safety Director Finals

When an injury occurs we need to keep the best interest of the injured skier in mind.  Here are a few safety guidelines if we have to deal with an emergency. 

IF YOU FALL please give us the ok wave.  Not to be confused with the come and get me wave.  If there is no wave and lack of movement in the water we will consider that you may be hurt. 

IF YOU ARE RIDING IN THE TOWBOAT and the skier is injured, do not try to grab him/her and place on the platform.  Keep the skier in the water in case of a serious injury where the spine board may be needed. 

IF YOU ARE SWIMMING OUT to a skier, you must wear a vest.  Be aware of precautions moving a skier.  There are certain water rescue techniques to prevent further injury. 

WHEN A SKIER IS INJURED please allow space around the skier.  Keep the area calm.  Injured skiers can go into shock.  Do not poke, wrap, twist or touch the skier.  Safety is responsible to give direction if this happens.  Do not remove the skiers bindings. 

IF AN INJURY IS SERIOUS or life threatening, one person will be directed to call EMS.  Our main concern is not to diagnose, but to get medical attention immediately. 

DO NOT OFFER MEDS to the skier.  If they are making a trip to the hospital it could interfere with the doctors treatment.   

ALLOW THE SAFETY DIRECTOR to communicate with the injured skier.  We are looking for possible other injuries and surveying the area.  We appreciate all the help.  The safety director may ask for assistance with ice or getting the backboard. 

KNOW YOUR AREA if you are traveling in unfamiliar towns.  The safety director will have maps of local hospitals and convenient care.  Safety will not have names of specific doctors or make referrals. 

 DID YOU DRINK WATER TODAY?

For top performance, consider how much water you drink when training.  A good rule to remember is half your body weight in ounces per day.  So if you weigh 200 pounds you want to drink 100 ounces of water. 

It is very important, especially in Florida, to drink before and after you ski.  You may want to consider alternating with a sport drink to replace potassium, magnesium and salt that is important for muscle function.   

Remember, there is such a thing as water toxicity, so you can drink too much.  But, on the average, most people don't drink enough water to keep healthy and hydrated.