55K W.E.S.T
(World Elite Slalom Tour)
Rules and Regulations
Tournament committee may expand / modify eligibility at any time up to including the beginning of the event.
2023 55K W.E.S.T(World Elite Slalom Tour)Rules and Regulations
General:
• All events will follow the rules of the local governing body, e.g. USA Water Ski (AWSA) for events within the United States and International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) for international events. All qualifiers and event finals will adhere to the rules as outlined by those governing bodies and this document. All participants will be ranked, pulled, and judged at a max speed of 55K.• The buoy count average per the IWWF Dynamic list as of 7 days before the event will be used for seeding purposes. Skiers who are eligible, but are not on the Dynamic list one week before the event will be lowest seed (first off) and will be grouped together according to their USA Waterski ranking.• Any skier who doesn’t qualify for the round of 32 H2H will ski a third round of L on Sunday before the H2H begins.• WEST tournament committee may amend any aspect of the rules within their sole discretion.
Who is Eligible: • Skiers 35 years and older (per USA and IWWF age rules) with an IWWF Ranking List average of at least 2 @ 11.25m (38’ off) at 55k (buoy count average of 98) at any time within the 2 years prior to the event per IWWF April or October rank lists (for example, if the most recent list to the event is May 2022, then any skier with a 55k average of 2 @ 11.25m (98) at any point from the April 2020 IWWF Ranking List to the May 2022 list is eligible.• Any amateur skier that has previously competed in a 55K sanctioned cash prize Head to Head event in an age class or MM/MW division so long as they are not rendered ineligible per the “who is not eligible” rules below.Who is Not Eligible:• Any skier that has a bouy count score of more than 110 in the Open Men (OM) or Open Women (OW) division in a sanctioned L or R Slalom event within the past 2 years prior to the WEST event. However, anyone 50 years of age or older, who is otherwise eligible, is not rendered ineligible regardless their score in a L or R event in the 2 years prior to the WEST event.
***Tournament committee may expand eligibility at any time up to including the beginning of the event.***.Refund/Cancellation Policy:
• Full refund will be given to any skier who withdraws by notifying the organizing committee prior to 3 weeks (22 days or more) of the WEST event.• If the government in the hosting state or the state of the athlete prohibits/completely bans travel, or requires mandatory quarantine upon arrival to the hosting state, then the entry fee for that athlete will be refunded. • If the government of the hosting state prohibits the event from taking place, then the event will be postponed and/or cancelled, and refunds will be given. • 21 days prior to the WEST event, no refunds will be given for injury or for other reason, but in the event of cancellation due to government mandate, then refunds will be given.
Seeding:
• Seeding will be based on the IWWF Dynamic list as of 1 week prior to the event. • Seeding ties will be broken by using the high scores for each skier on the IWWF Dynamic list as of 1 week prior to the event.• Any skier not listed on the IWWF Dynamic list as of 1 week prior to the event but who is eligible will be seeded first off of the dock.o If multiple skiers are in this category, they will be seeded first off of the dock based on their USAWS Ranking score or by random draw if the skier does not have any current scores.• Qualification Round 2 seeding will be the same running order as Round 1.
Head-to-Head Competition Qualifying and Rules:
• 32 Skiers will be eligible to compete in the Head to Head (H2H).• Seeds 1 – 32 will be based upon a skiers best single score from any of the qualifying round:o Ties will be broken by using skiers back up score, o If a tie still exists, the skiers seeding for the event will be used.• The Higher seed in each pairing will get to choose either:o First or second off the dock Oro His preferred boat/driver combo (each driver will be assigned to a specific boat before the start of the weekend).• The Lower seed in each pairing will chose the other.• If a Lower seed beats a Higher seed, the Lower seed will take over the seed of the Higher seeded skier until they win the event or are eliminated. (For example, if #16 seed beats #1 seed, the #16 seed now becomes the #1 seed until they win or are eliminated).
*The skier that goes second must beat the skier that goes first. This means that the first skier advances in the event of a tie. The exception is in the Final Pairing where any ties will be run off to declare a winner.
Head-to-Head Competition Pairings (for each skier that qualifies for the Head to Head):
• First H2H Roundo Seeds 17 – 32 will compete H2H with the winner advancing and the eliminated skiers’ placements for positions 25-32 being determined by their score in the current H2H round. Placement ties will be broken as follows: Based on the skier’s initial seed in the H2H.• Second H2H Roundo Seeds 9 – 16 will compete H2H against winner of 1st H2H round with the winner advancing and the eliminated skiers’ placements for positions 17-24 being determined by their score in the current H2H round. Placement ties will be broken as follows: Based on the skier’s initial seed in the H2H.• Sweet 16 H2H Roundo Seeds 1 – 16 will compete H2H with the winner advancing and the eliminated skiers’ placements for positions 9-16 being determined by their score in the current H2H round. Placement ties will be broken as follows: Based on the skier’s initial seed in the H2H.• Elite 8 H2H Roundo Seeds 1 –8 will compete H2H with the winner advancing and the eliminated skiers’ placements for positions 5-8 being determined by their score in the current H2H round. Placement ties will be broken as follows: Based on the skier’s score in the Sweet 16 H2H round, then Based on the skier’s initial seed in the H2H.• Final 4 H2H Roundo Seeds 1 – 4 will compete H2H with the winner advancing and the eliminated skier’s seed will be determined by their score in the current H2H round. Seeding ties will be broken as follows: Based on the skier’s score in the Elite 8 H2H round, then Skiers score from the Sweet 16 H2H round, then Based on the skier’s initial seed in the H2H.• 3rd Place H2H Roundo The 2 skiers from the Final 4 H2H Round not advancing to the Championship H2H Round will compete H2H for 3rd Place.o The higher seed for this round will be the skier with the highest score in the Final 4 H2H Round. Seeding ties will be broken as follows: Skier’s score from the Elite 8 H2H Round, then Skier’s score from the Sweet 16 H2H Round, then Skier’s initial seed in the H2H.o If this round ends up in a tie, the skiers will run-off per IWWF rules until there is a winner. • Championship H2H Round- winners of the Final 4 H2H Round will compete against each other for the Titleo If this round ends up in a tie, the skiers will run-off per IWWF rules until there is a winner. As with the prior rounds the order will be determined as follows: The Higher seed in each pairing will get to choose either: First or second off the dock Or His preferred boat/driver (each driver will be assigned to a specific boat before the start of the weekend). The Lower seed in each pairing will chose the other.o If this round ends up in a tie, the skiers will run-off per IWWF rules until there is a winner.
**Officials and Boat Order will be posted at tournament**
Starting Rope Lengths:
• Qualifying Rounds – 14m (-28’) (minimum).• First H2H Round – 14m (-28’) (minimum).o If both skiers agree they may start at 13m (-32’).o If skier B prefers to start at 13m (-32’) while skier A prefers to start at 14m (-28), Skier B will be taken to the far end of the lake to wait. Skier A will be allowed to run a protected non-scored 14m (-28’). Once that has taken place, both skiers will return at 13m (-32’) and proceed as if this was their starting pass.• Second H2H Round – 13m (-32’).• Sweet 16 – 13m (-32’).• Elite 8/Final 4 – 12m (-35’).• Third Place – Last completed line length, no longer than 11.25m (-38’).• Championship – 12m (-35’).• At the Chief Judge’s discretion (for ex. due to time constraints or inclement weather), the starting line lengths for qualifying rounds or the Head to Head may be adjusted.
• A skier may, with notification to the boat judge, continue to ski in an effort to break a record.
• After the fourth and final pairings of the Elite 8 and once both boats have returned to the dock, a 3-minute clock will start. At the end of the 3 minutes, the skiers associated with the first pairing of the Final 4 must be ready and in the water for immediate start of the Final 4.*
• After the second and final pairing of the Final 4 and once both boats have returned to the dock, a 3-minute clock will start. At the end of the 3 minutes, the skiers set to compete in the Third Place bracket must be ready and in the water for immediate start of the Third Place bracket.
• The Final Pairing (the Championship Bracket) will immediately follow the Third Place Bracket.
A skier not in position at the dock and prepared to compete for their turn during any preliminary or H2H round may be disqualified.
Continuation/ Injury Protocol:
• If for any reason a skier is unable to compete in the head to head, the skier’s would be opponent shall advance. • During the head-to-head, if one of the skiers cannot continue due to injury, their opponent shall advance. • The W.E.S.T. organizing committee has full discretion to reduce the number of qualifying rounds or H2H, or shorten the minimum starting line length in either the qualifying rounds or H2H due to time constraints or inclement weather. • Any round that is not finished, will not be considered for qualification or seeding purposes but may or may not be considered an IWWF L score for the skier per IWWF rules.
General:
• All events will follow the rules of the local governing body, e.g. USA Water Ski (AWSA) for events within the United States and International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) for international events. All qualifiers and event finals will adhere to the rules as outlined by those governing bodies and this document. All participants will be ranked, pulled, and judged at a max speed of 55K.• The buoy count average per the IWWF Dynamic list as of 7 days before the event will be used for seeding purposes. Skiers who are eligible, but are not on the Dynamic list one week before the event will be lowest seed (first off) and will be grouped together according to their USA Waterski ranking.• Any skier who doesn’t qualify for the round of 32 H2H will ski a third round of L on Sunday before the H2H begins.• WEST tournament committee may amend any aspect of the rules within their sole discretion.
Who is Eligible: • Skiers 35 years and older (per USA and IWWF age rules) with an IWWF Ranking List average of at least 2 @ 11.25m (38’ off) at 55k (buoy count average of 98) at any time within the 2 years prior to the event per IWWF April or October rank lists (for example, if the most recent list to the event is May 2022, then any skier with a 55k average of 2 @ 11.25m (98) at any point from the April 2020 IWWF Ranking List to the May 2022 list is eligible.• Any amateur skier that has previously competed in a 55K sanctioned cash prize Head to Head event in an age class or MM/MW division so long as they are not rendered ineligible per the “who is not eligible” rules below.Who is Not Eligible:• Any skier that has a bouy count score of more than 110 in the Open Men (OM) or Open Women (OW) division in a sanctioned L or R Slalom event within the past 2 years prior to the WEST event. However, anyone 50 years of age or older, who is otherwise eligible, is not rendered ineligible regardless their score in a L or R event in the 2 years prior to the WEST event.
***Tournament committee may expand eligibility at any time up to including the beginning of the event.***.Refund/Cancellation Policy:
• Full refund will be given to any skier who withdraws by notifying the organizing committee prior to 3 weeks (22 days or more) of the WEST event.• If the government in the hosting state or the state of the athlete prohibits/completely bans travel, or requires mandatory quarantine upon arrival to the hosting state, then the entry fee for that athlete will be refunded. • If the government of the hosting state prohibits the event from taking place, then the event will be postponed and/or cancelled, and refunds will be given. • 21 days prior to the WEST event, no refunds will be given for injury or for other reason, but in the event of cancellation due to government mandate, then refunds will be given.
Seeding:
• Seeding will be based on the IWWF Dynamic list as of 1 week prior to the event. • Seeding ties will be broken by using the high scores for each skier on the IWWF Dynamic list as of 1 week prior to the event.• Any skier not listed on the IWWF Dynamic list as of 1 week prior to the event but who is eligible will be seeded first off of the dock.o If multiple skiers are in this category, they will be seeded first off of the dock based on their USAWS Ranking score or by random draw if the skier does not have any current scores.• Qualification Round 2 seeding will be the same running order as Round 1.
Head-to-Head Competition Qualifying and Rules:
• 32 Skiers will be eligible to compete in the Head to Head (H2H).• Seeds 1 – 32 will be based upon a skiers best single score from any of the qualifying round:o Ties will be broken by using skiers back up score, o If a tie still exists, the skiers seeding for the event will be used.• The Higher seed in each pairing will get to choose either:o First or second off the dock Oro His preferred boat/driver combo (each driver will be assigned to a specific boat before the start of the weekend).• The Lower seed in each pairing will chose the other.• If a Lower seed beats a Higher seed, the Lower seed will take over the seed of the Higher seeded skier until they win the event or are eliminated. (For example, if #16 seed beats #1 seed, the #16 seed now becomes the #1 seed until they win or are eliminated).
*The skier that goes second must beat the skier that goes first. This means that the first skier advances in the event of a tie. The exception is in the Final Pairing where any ties will be run off to declare a winner.
Head-to-Head Competition Pairings (for each skier that qualifies for the Head to Head):
• First H2H Roundo Seeds 17 – 32 will compete H2H with the winner advancing and the eliminated skiers’ placements for positions 25-32 being determined by their score in the current H2H round. Placement ties will be broken as follows: Based on the skier’s initial seed in the H2H.• Second H2H Roundo Seeds 9 – 16 will compete H2H against winner of 1st H2H round with the winner advancing and the eliminated skiers’ placements for positions 17-24 being determined by their score in the current H2H round. Placement ties will be broken as follows: Based on the skier’s initial seed in the H2H.• Sweet 16 H2H Roundo Seeds 1 – 16 will compete H2H with the winner advancing and the eliminated skiers’ placements for positions 9-16 being determined by their score in the current H2H round. Placement ties will be broken as follows: Based on the skier’s initial seed in the H2H.• Elite 8 H2H Roundo Seeds 1 –8 will compete H2H with the winner advancing and the eliminated skiers’ placements for positions 5-8 being determined by their score in the current H2H round. Placement ties will be broken as follows: Based on the skier’s score in the Sweet 16 H2H round, then Based on the skier’s initial seed in the H2H.• Final 4 H2H Roundo Seeds 1 – 4 will compete H2H with the winner advancing and the eliminated skier’s seed will be determined by their score in the current H2H round. Seeding ties will be broken as follows: Based on the skier’s score in the Elite 8 H2H round, then Skiers score from the Sweet 16 H2H round, then Based on the skier’s initial seed in the H2H.• 3rd Place H2H Roundo The 2 skiers from the Final 4 H2H Round not advancing to the Championship H2H Round will compete H2H for 3rd Place.o The higher seed for this round will be the skier with the highest score in the Final 4 H2H Round. Seeding ties will be broken as follows: Skier’s score from the Elite 8 H2H Round, then Skier’s score from the Sweet 16 H2H Round, then Skier’s initial seed in the H2H.o If this round ends up in a tie, the skiers will run-off per IWWF rules until there is a winner. • Championship H2H Round- winners of the Final 4 H2H Round will compete against each other for the Titleo If this round ends up in a tie, the skiers will run-off per IWWF rules until there is a winner. As with the prior rounds the order will be determined as follows: The Higher seed in each pairing will get to choose either: First or second off the dock Or His preferred boat/driver (each driver will be assigned to a specific boat before the start of the weekend). The Lower seed in each pairing will chose the other.o If this round ends up in a tie, the skiers will run-off per IWWF rules until there is a winner.
**Officials and Boat Order will be posted at tournament**
Starting Rope Lengths:
• Qualifying Rounds – 14m (-28’) (minimum).• First H2H Round – 14m (-28’) (minimum).o If both skiers agree they may start at 13m (-32’).o If skier B prefers to start at 13m (-32’) while skier A prefers to start at 14m (-28), Skier B will be taken to the far end of the lake to wait. Skier A will be allowed to run a protected non-scored 14m (-28’). Once that has taken place, both skiers will return at 13m (-32’) and proceed as if this was their starting pass.• Second H2H Round – 13m (-32’).• Sweet 16 – 13m (-32’).• Elite 8/Final 4 – 12m (-35’).• Third Place – Last completed line length, no longer than 11.25m (-38’).• Championship – 12m (-35’).• At the Chief Judge’s discretion (for ex. due to time constraints or inclement weather), the starting line lengths for qualifying rounds or the Head to Head may be adjusted.
• A skier may, with notification to the boat judge, continue to ski in an effort to break a record.
• After the fourth and final pairings of the Elite 8 and once both boats have returned to the dock, a 3-minute clock will start. At the end of the 3 minutes, the skiers associated with the first pairing of the Final 4 must be ready and in the water for immediate start of the Final 4.*
• After the second and final pairing of the Final 4 and once both boats have returned to the dock, a 3-minute clock will start. At the end of the 3 minutes, the skiers set to compete in the Third Place bracket must be ready and in the water for immediate start of the Third Place bracket.
• The Final Pairing (the Championship Bracket) will immediately follow the Third Place Bracket.
A skier not in position at the dock and prepared to compete for their turn during any preliminary or H2H round may be disqualified.
Continuation/ Injury Protocol:
• If for any reason a skier is unable to compete in the head to head, the skier’s would be opponent shall advance. • During the head-to-head, if one of the skiers cannot continue due to injury, their opponent shall advance. • The W.E.S.T. organizing committee has full discretion to reduce the number of qualifying rounds or H2H, or shorten the minimum starting line length in either the qualifying rounds or H2H due to time constraints or inclement weather. • Any round that is not finished, will not be considered for qualification or seeding purposes but may or may not be considered an IWWF L score for the skier per IWWF rules.