Post by Ed Stevens on Jul 30, 2009 17:23:11 GMT
Cheers Ginger! But I was honestly trying to find out what the DQ was for. Seems my typing is being misread! I am not upset, but I want to know what was wrong. Say nothing folks, I know now, but erm... BAD think I can't accept it, WTF? Look at this email:
Dear Mr Stevens
I have been passed a series of emails regarding your disqualification, which you appear to be refusing to accept. I have also personally spoken with the Race Referee about the matter and thought it appropriate as the Race Director to personally write to you on the matter.
We, as a club in seeking sanction form the BTF, have to consider all the risks involved in setting up an event. Two aspects of this were the dangerous nature of the immediate turn out of the school grounds (which was effectively blind) and two specific right-hand turns on T junctions on the public highway. To safe guard the interests of all the competitors, and in agreement with the BTF representative, we put in place measures to minimise the risk. Must also be remembered this is to protect the safety of the marshals at these points.
Our rules surrounding both these areas were clearly stated in the race details and were designed to slow the competitors up at points where we could not control or possible not be able to see the traffic. When you signed on the race details clearly stated you were signing on to stay you had read and understood these rules. A copy of the race details were was also set up at registration. We also had marshals in place to enforce these points. In all instances they have confirmed you transgressed these rules. In addition, on the right hand turns, there were signs clearly stating “Compulsory Stop”. Having done the cycle leg of a relay I can personally confirm they were in place.
The swim starter also made a clear point in his briefing about these rules. I understand that you are hard of hearing. However, you did not make this disability known at the briefing so you have effectively stood by during the briefing knowing you cannot hear it, something we cannot be responsible for. These briefings are done to reinforce the safety aspects of the event and so we cannot condone choosing not to listen.
You may feel you are being hard done by, but unfortunately the safety of the competitors and marshals become the responsibility of the club. We have to take any transgressions very seriously. The ultimate arbiter of the rules is the Race Referee. He is the representative of the BTF who we as a club are responsible to. His decision is impartial. Having discussed the transgressions with the marshals in question, and also understanding your personal circumstances, his decision was to disqualify you. The responsibility to find you to discuss the matter does not lie with the Club or the Referee. The BTF rules are very clear. The referee will post the penalty on the board, which he did. The offending competitor then has an obligation, if he feels aggrieved, to seek an appeal. I am not aware that you have done so and so the penalty must stand.
Whilst I am disappointed at the need to disqualify you, this is at the sole discretion of the Race Referee based on the facts known to him. It is unfortunately not a decision for the Club or that the Club can seek to have over turned. For your information, your splits/times were as follows:
Swim 00:08:53
Cycle 00:47:15
Run 00:25:24
Total 01:21:32
Kind regards,
Martin Foster
At least I have FINALLY got my time off them! But I was hoping for a better time! lol Ginger, next is 'onelasttri' in October 4th Half IM distance, dont want DQ there too.
Dear Mr Stevens
I have been passed a series of emails regarding your disqualification, which you appear to be refusing to accept. I have also personally spoken with the Race Referee about the matter and thought it appropriate as the Race Director to personally write to you on the matter.
We, as a club in seeking sanction form the BTF, have to consider all the risks involved in setting up an event. Two aspects of this were the dangerous nature of the immediate turn out of the school grounds (which was effectively blind) and two specific right-hand turns on T junctions on the public highway. To safe guard the interests of all the competitors, and in agreement with the BTF representative, we put in place measures to minimise the risk. Must also be remembered this is to protect the safety of the marshals at these points.
Our rules surrounding both these areas were clearly stated in the race details and were designed to slow the competitors up at points where we could not control or possible not be able to see the traffic. When you signed on the race details clearly stated you were signing on to stay you had read and understood these rules. A copy of the race details were was also set up at registration. We also had marshals in place to enforce these points. In all instances they have confirmed you transgressed these rules. In addition, on the right hand turns, there were signs clearly stating “Compulsory Stop”. Having done the cycle leg of a relay I can personally confirm they were in place.
The swim starter also made a clear point in his briefing about these rules. I understand that you are hard of hearing. However, you did not make this disability known at the briefing so you have effectively stood by during the briefing knowing you cannot hear it, something we cannot be responsible for. These briefings are done to reinforce the safety aspects of the event and so we cannot condone choosing not to listen.
You may feel you are being hard done by, but unfortunately the safety of the competitors and marshals become the responsibility of the club. We have to take any transgressions very seriously. The ultimate arbiter of the rules is the Race Referee. He is the representative of the BTF who we as a club are responsible to. His decision is impartial. Having discussed the transgressions with the marshals in question, and also understanding your personal circumstances, his decision was to disqualify you. The responsibility to find you to discuss the matter does not lie with the Club or the Referee. The BTF rules are very clear. The referee will post the penalty on the board, which he did. The offending competitor then has an obligation, if he feels aggrieved, to seek an appeal. I am not aware that you have done so and so the penalty must stand.
Whilst I am disappointed at the need to disqualify you, this is at the sole discretion of the Race Referee based on the facts known to him. It is unfortunately not a decision for the Club or that the Club can seek to have over turned. For your information, your splits/times were as follows:
Swim 00:08:53
Cycle 00:47:15
Run 00:25:24
Total 01:21:32
Kind regards,
Martin Foster
At least I have FINALLY got my time off them! But I was hoping for a better time! lol Ginger, next is 'onelasttri' in October 4th Half IM distance, dont want DQ there too.