6.7 Promotion from inquorate classes in Div 4

[Canadian Paddler]

Proposed by CR Cats, seconded by Pinkston Panthers
1 paddler in 5 is promoted where the race is quorate (an event is quorate with 3 or more competitors).
Additionally, even when the events are quorate, C1, K1W and C2 are promoted when their modified score would have earned promotion in the K1M event. The modified score is calculated by dividing by 1.12 for K1W, 1.08 for C1M and 1.2 for C1W and C2. E.g if a K1 women had a best time of 112, then their modified score is 100. If 100 would have been promoted in K1M, then the K1W is promoted. (fortunately Ken Trollope's program works all this out for the organiser).
Until the end of 2014 modified scores were used for Div 4 C1W and C2, but not for C1M or K1W where raw scores were compared. This was deemed inequitable, and modified score was applied to all events (ACM 2014 Item 6.5). The rule is there to avoid the absurdity of not promoting an unusually good paddler just because their event is unusually good or, more likely, inquorate. But making the rule follow modifed scores can make promotion to Div 3 absurdly easy, especially if the K1M field is weak. We have seen cases where every Div 4 paddler in C1 or K1W was promoted.
Most Divisions 4s run alongside Division 3s and so it makes little difference to racing opportunities, If they do a couple more races in Division 4, they will get better and then get promoted as they will be fast enough compared to Div 4 K1M. Often some of the paddlers are just trying out C1 and C2 at a starter race and this would also have the benefit of them not having to apply for a bib too early either. It would also be easier for both competitors and organisers to understand. Page 49

B4.3.1 Promotion from Division 4 to Division 3
For Division 4 an event is deemed to be quorate if 3 or more competitors start. (See Rule UKC5.1)
All events: 1 in 5 (or part thereof, if quorate)
If an event is not quorate, then competitors are promoted if the Competitor's raw score would have gained promotion when compared to another quorate event as follows
C1M/C2/K1W: if they would have been promoted in the K1 men event
C1W if they would have been promoted in either the K1W or K1M event
In all cases where two, or more, paddlers are tied on best run scores for the last promotion place from Division 4 then all such Competitors are promoted.

[HPPaddle]

Yes, lets take the time and effort to ensure that we keep paddlers in division 4 for longer. Where we've got two really fast paddlers in a div 4 race with 5 entries, lets make sure that we keep that second placed paddler in division 4, we don't want to welcome people into the ranking system and engage them in the sport. Lets make sure that they get lots of div 4 experience rather than start on the positive road of acquiring div 3 points and getting motivated and engaged in the sport longer term.

[JimW]

Yes, lets take the time and effort to ensure that we keep paddlers in division 4 for longer. Where we've got two really fast paddlers in a div 4 race with 5 entries, lets make sure that we keep that second placed paddler in division 4, we don't want to welcome people into the ranking system and engage them in the sport. Lets make sure that they get lots of div 4 experience rather than start on the positive road of acquiring div 3 points and getting motivated and engaged in the sport longer term.

If there are 5 entries the class is quorate (3 starters for quorum in div 4) so this change makes no difference at all, the second place paddler will not be promoted whether it is passed or not.

Because there is such a wide range of abilities at div 4, we have sometimes seen inappropriate promotion from inquorate classes (i.e. 1 or 2 entries) because the modifier places them ahead of equally unready paddlers in a quorate K1M class (could be just 3 entries). Most division 4 paddlers are not proficient enough for the class modifiers to make sense, but the proposal will still identify any significantly faster paddlers in inquorate classes because they will be faster without modification anyway. We really don't beleive this will restrict promotion of fast paddlers that are ready to be in division 3.

[suse]

He paddle, there is also Ranking Status. If someone new to the sport feels they should be in a higher div they can always apply for RS. This rule does, however,, stop us having to promote someone who has hit every gate but still been a second faster than the person who needed to be timed on a calendar.

[CeeBee]

This motion will have no effect on promotion from Div 4 for K1 Men. K1 men will be only be promoted if the event is quorate i.e. minimum of 3 paddlers in the class. So, if there are 3-5 paddlers, then first place will be promoted, 6-10 paddlers, then 2 paddlers will be promoted.11-15 paddlers, then 3 paddlers will be promoted.

If there are paddlers above Div 4 standard in inquorate K1W, C1M, C1W and C2, then you would expect their best run to be better than the slowest promoted Division 4 men so they will be promoted.

What I have seen happening at double events, is that on Saturday when the K1M field is stronger , K1W, C1M, C1W and C2 are not getting promoted as they are not good enough but on the Sunday when the field is weaker as the better Div 4 were promoted on the Saturday, their modified score was getting them promoted. Some of these were just trying C1 and C2 for the first time. Once they are promoted they have to apply for a bib and it costs more money to enter Div 3.

Most Division 4 races are also Division 3 and so it won't affect which races they can compete at but will mean that they are not promoted too early and then come last in Division 3 which no one likes. So, we want paddlers promoted as soon as they are ready but not too early and this motion is just an attempt to redress the current imbalance.

[Canadian Paddler]

After a change that altered 'raw score' to 'score'
The motion received 54 votes for and 12 votes against, with 13 abstentions. It was therefore adopted.

Many abstentiosn were due to proxies that were 'FOR but no discretion, so as soon as the rule was amended they had to be abstentions