• Paddlers are released from the waiting list in earliest entry date order irrespective of their current divisional ranking
• Priority by earliest entry date encourages large numbers of early entries for competitions many months in advance
• Paddlers doubling up tend to get accepted in both events without regards to their divisional ranking in each event as their entries will have been submitted simultaneously.
• In the past the British Open invited the highest ranked paddlers from Div1. This is not possible under the “first come, first served” rules in place today.
• The idea that paddle up served as preparation for the next step to the higher division is diluted as priority is not given to the paddlers closest to making the transition.
• Including paddle ups ranked lower in their division may dilute the standard of the competition.
Most of the above applies to paddle up at Prem races where there is greater competition for places and where low numbers of paddle ups get a place. Lower divisions races are rarely oversubscribed.
Now that all Prem competitions are entered online and the waiting list is also openly published then any solution to address the current shortcomings will need a technology solution. Up to now the only indicator available to sort the paddle up waiting list was entry date.
The Online ranking system already calculates a “percentile” for each paddler that is recalculated whenever a new set of results are loaded. The percentile figure indicates a paddler’s relative position within their divisional event and crucially it also offers a method to compare across events.
The key point is that we would be in a position to offer places based on current performance and also take into consideration the different population size of an event, which we wouldn’t be able to do if we just took their ranking position. For example, if we compare the current ranking position in Division 1across events and using paddlers with a percentile of 12% (picking a number at random) we get the following current ranking positions: K1W - 10th, K1M - 20th, C1W - 4th and C1M - 7th. If we had these 4 individuals in a waiting list sorted by percentile then they would all be grouped together, possible further sorted by earliest entry date. This would be a reasonable grouping as they are all at the same relative position in their individual event ranking lists.
How would this work in practice? The online system will show an indicator for each paddler that shows the percentile updated with each set of results. Up to the cut off date, the waiting list will be displayed in alphabetical order. Just prior to the 4-week cut-off for paddle ups entries, the waiting list will be sorted by the current percentile value. The organiser would then release entries based on the revised order. Where there is a tie in percentile (such as two athletes with the same points total, or athletes across classes with the same relative position) all tying entries should be accepted, even if this results in a small increase in the maximum entries for the competition. Paddle up entries will be shown in alphabetical order prior to the priority entry date. In the case where a paddler has not earned any ranking points then their percentile at the start of the year will be used to determine their place in the waiting list. Those entering after the cut off date will be at the bottom of wait list in order of entry.
This would achieve:
• Paddle ups closest to promotion will get priority
• Paddlers doubling up will only get two entries if they are high enough ranked in both events
• The incentive to submit paddle ups as early as possible to guarantee a place is removed
• Prestige races (such as the British Open) would offer places based on current performance and be seen as a recognition of achievement
UK C11.2 The deadline for entries to Ranking Competitions shall be 15 days prior to the first day of the competition (the Friday two weeks prior to the competition).
The priority entry deadline (before which host paddlers get priority of entry) is the Friday four weeks prior to the competition. The competition organiser may impose a limit on numbers, either in the published calendar or at the time of planning the start list. If such a limit is applied, priority of entry shall be as follows:
a) Up to and including the Priority Entry Deadline: Host division paddlers, in order of receipt of entries.
b) After the Priority Entry Deadline:
If on line entries are being accepted: host paddlers in order of receipt, followed by “paddling up” in order of receipt ranking percentile. If two or more competitors have the same percentile they must be accepted, or remain on the wait list together, even if this results in a small increase in the maximum entries.
Ranking percentile is the current ranking position divided by the number in the division rounded to a whole percentage. E.g. if there are 70 in the division, the 16th placed athlete will be 16/70*100 = 22.85%, rounded to 23%. Where an athlete has not competed, the percentile will be taken from the start of year ranking.
If on line entries are not being accepted: host paddlers in order of receipt, followed by “paddling up” in order of ranking position.
If a paddler is promoted, their entry is treated as a host division entry received at the date the organiser is notified. If the Competitor has an accepted paddle up entry this will be converted to a Host division entry, otherwise they will remain on the waiting list, but with higher (host) priority.