As most of you know I have been an ardent advocate of the "differential timing" dual slalom format. I have also been just as strong in my support of the "equal 5th, 9th, 17th" placing method. After much thought and discussion with Wes, Gary and others I feel the time is right to step away from the current system and try something new and different.
Below you will find the proposed format along with a "mock race" bracket. We invite you to take a look.
2008 US National Slalom Skateboarding Championships Proposed Racing Format
Double Elimination Racing is a DIFFERENT kind of racing. Only experience and time will determine if it is better. The differences, though, are readily obvious:
• Less Clock
• Less Math
• Less Arbitrary Race-Day Rules
• Less time between runs
• Less Doubt About Victory
• More Opportunities For Every Racer
• More Emphasis on the Starting Line
• More Emphasis on the Finish Line
• More Emphasis on SPEED
• No more wondering if a cone is .1 or .2. Cones are cones
• Different courses, though, will allow different max cone allowances
• More fun for spectators
• Better for television
• Fewer Cone Heads
• Fewer cone counting errors
As with anything different the most important difference a racer can bring to a double-elimination event is an open mind. Consider qualifying as a first step. The Winner's Bracket is another step. The Do-or-Die bracket is an opportunity to race again with better odds. Cones should be thought of as course markers and not as course penalties. The "starting line" is just that: the start. It's no longer an arbitrary idea with a plus-or-minus at a racer's discretion.
And most importantly: the racer who stays in the course and crosses the finish line first wins.
Qualifying:
Each racer gets two runs. One per lane.
No per cone penalty.
There will be a maximum cone penalty.
Number of cones allowed will be determined after the course is set.
Seeding:
Number of racers advancing to the head to head racing will be based on number of entries in each class.
Seeding will be done in the usual 1-32, 2-31 method.
Head to head racing:
Fastest qualifier in each heat has LANE CHOICE.
No per cone penalty.
There will be a maximum cone penalty.
Number of cones allowed, same as qualifying.
False start is a DQ (loss).
Failing to make the course is a DQ (loss).
Two racers run the course. One run. No switching lanes.
First racer (without a False start or DQ) across the finish line wins.
Winner goes to winner’s bracket.
Loser goes to “Do or Die” bracket.
Winners Bracket – Double DQs:
IF there is a double DQ that means both racer have a LOSS.
NO ONE WITH A LOSS can stay in the Winner's bracket.
So, Double DQ in the winner's bracket. Do over.
Winner GOES TO THE LOSER'S BRACKET to fill out the heat.
Loser is DONE
In the next round of the Winner's bracket someone has a bye.
Do or Die Bracket – Double DQs:
In the event of a double DQ both racers now have two losses so they are both eliminated.
In the next round of the “Do or Die Bracket” someone has a bye.
EVERYONE does get a second run: in the “Do or Die”.
In a 32-man bracket 16 skaters will not advance. They move to the losers bracket.
Same rules: fastest qualifier gets lane choice.
You keep racing until you have TWO losses. (One in the "main" bracket and one in the "loser's" bracket.) Eventually, everybody will have two losses EXCEPT the skater who wins the winner bracket.
The way it works is that through the course of the race, EVERYBODY BUT ONE RACER will go to the “Do or Die” bracket and from there have to work their way back to have a chance to beat the one skater who's stayed undefeated all the way through the main bracket. And there will always be just one racer at the conclusion of the winner’s bracket that has no losses.
Again, no need to calculate time differentials or DQ penalties. A DQ just means you've lost. You either get to go to the Loser's Bracket or you've already had your two losses and you are done. There is an excellent chance a bunch of slower skaters are going to run in the "slow" lane twice. That's the breaks. Want to pick your lane? Qualify faster.
Advantages:
Less time between races for racers due to less counting of cones,
and no time penalty calculations.
Typically, in the first round of the current system a lower qualifying racer will be eliminated from the race after his first heat with the high qualifying racer. In the new system a lower qualifier who is defeated in the first round of the winner’s bracket will move to the “Do or Die” bracket and race someone closer to their qualifying position.
Another scenario: A “top racer” has a bad qualifying round and is seeded against another
“top racer” in the first round, in the current system, we lose a “marquee racer” in the first round. In the new system it is possible for the one-loss “marquee racer” to fight his way back to the winner’s bracket and end up competing for the championship with the racer who beat him in the first round.
No DQ worries. A DQ just means you lost. Thank you very much. Come again.
No calculating time differential
No spectator wondering if someone won this time or last time or the next time.
Everyone who wins is a winner and moves on.
Overall Placings:
Champion and 2nd Place determined by a head to head race ( two in the event that the winner of the “Do or Die “ bracket defeats the Winner’s bracket champion in their first championship heat).
3rd Place – Loser of Round 8 of “Do or Die” bracket.
4th Place – Loser of Round 7 of “Do or Die” bracket.
5th Place – Loser of Round 6 of “Do or Die” bracket with higher qualifying position.
6th Place – Loser of Round 6 of “Do or Die” bracket with lower qualifying position.
7th Place – Loser of Round 5 of “Do or Die” bracket with higher qualifying position.
8th Place – Loser of Round 5 of “Do or Die” bracket with lower qualifying position.
9th Place – Loser of Round 4 of “Do or Die” bracket with highest qualifying position.
10th Place – Loser of Round 4 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
11th Place – Loser of Round 4 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
12th Place – Loser of Round 4 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
13th Place – Loser of Round 3 of “Do or Die” bracket with highest qualifying position.
14th Place – Loser of Round 3 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
15th Place – Loser of Round 3 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
16th Place – Loser of Round 3 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
17th Place – Loser of Round 2 of “Do or Die” bracket with highest qualifying position.
18th Place – Loser of Round 2 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
19th Place – Loser of Round 2 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
20th Place – Loser of Round 2 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos
21st Place – Loser of Round 2 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
22nd Place – Loser of Round 2 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
23rd Place – Loser of Round 2 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos
24th Place – Loser of Round 2 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos
25th Place – Loser of Round 1 of “Do or Die” bracket with highest qualifying position.
26th Place – Loser of Round 1 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
27th Place – Loser of Round 1 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
28th Place – Loser of Round 1 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos
29th Place – Loser of Round 1 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
30th Place – Loser of Round 1 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos.
31st Place – Loser of Round 1 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos
32nd Place – Loser of Round 1 of “Do or Die” bracket with next highest qualifying pos
![Image](http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj53/TheSkateboardersJournal/DoubleElimBracketTest.jpg)
If you would like a larger view of the bracket, you can get it here:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj53 ... etTest.jpg