I think something similar has been suggested before. One concern is that this does add quite a bit of complexity. You've pointed out that there are some underpaid Entries accepted in McConkey which possibly shouldn't be there, but these tend to arise from paddlers and/or organisers being unclear as to the rules. Not only that, but 11.4.6 would appear to allow organisers to accept underpaid entries in any case!Seedy Paddler wrote: .....So We reword UKB3.3, 4 weeks prior to the race Organisers may accept Paddle Up entries that are ranked within the top 10% of their home divisional class, at the start of season it will be based on Bib #, but once races have commenced it is by the Ranking List published at the time. Organiser is then obliged to continue to accept competent Entries from Host division paddlers up to the point Entry Quota is full or Entry Date as defined in UK C11.2. At Entry Closing Date, Organiser then has the discretion to fill the Race to Entry Quota with incompetent entries or Paddle Ups that wish to enter. Thereby only Late Entrants may not receive a race entry to their own division, if you cannot enter in time you can hardly be classed as Elite. Suitable candidates are permitted to progress for enhanced promotion, thus swelling the upper division with competitors of similar or equal standing to many already ranked. Organisers are able to ensure that they can open entries and run events that more than cover costs and effort involved.
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The potential issue is that the more complex something becomes the more opportunities arise for "interpretation". At what time of day should the ranking lists be used? What happens if the ranking system is down at the time. Is it 10% of the original numbers or the "current" numbers. All of these can, of course, be defined but they are going to be too complex to operate smoothly and consistently
One of the issues that has caught some prems out this year is the added complexity of two dates, perhaps reverting to a single date could be simpler. The same date acting as both the end of priority period and for triggering late fees.
If the Entries received and waiting list was published 4 weeks before the competition then pups could get a feel for whether or not they are likely to get an entry even though confirmation would be two weeks before.