Team Boats Trials Procedures

All trials will be run according to the Trials Rules set forth in the 1998 USRowing Rules of Rowing unless superseded by these Procedures.

Format for Selection Trials

Depending on the number of entries in each event, heats, repechages, and semifinals will be conducted at selection trials following a modified FISA progression system as follows:

All events will follow a modified progression system with a "two out of three" final progression format. Each event with more than one entry shall consist of a minimum of two finals races with a third finals race if necessary. Due to course configurations, trials held in Indianapolis will follow a 6-lane progression system while those held in Princeton will follow a 4-lane progression system.

 
Initial 6-lane Progression in Indianapolis

OM4x, OW4x, OW2x, OM2x, LM2x:

If there are seven to twelve entries, crews advancing out of each heat are placed in the first final; all others are placed into the repechages. Crews advancing out of the repechages are placed into the first final; all others in the repechages are eliminated. If there are six or fewer entries, the first race will be the first final.

In events with thirteen or more entries, crews advancing out of each heat are placed directly in the semifinals; all others are placed into the repechages. Crews advancing out of the repechages are placed in the semifinals; all others in the repechages are eliminated. All crews advancing out of the semifinals are placed in the final; all others in the semifinals are eliminated. The options for composition of the repechages and semifinals shall be according to the 6-lane predetermined formulas prescribed by FISA.
 

The following shall constitute the forms of progression for six-lane racing:
 
 

Entries	Heats	Adv. In  Each Heat	Repe-  chages	Adv. In Each Repechage	Semi-  Finals	Adv. In Each    Semifinal
1-6	0	0	0	0	0	final only
7-8	2	1	1	4	0	-
9-12	2	1	2	2	0	-
13-15	3	3	1	3	2	3
16-18	3	1	3	3	2	3
19-24	4	1	4	2	2	3
25-36	6	1	6	1	3	2
37-54	9	1	9	1	3	2
55+	head race;  1st 54 into 9 heats; rest eliminated; then follow progression  for 37-54 entries.	54 from head race  1 from each heat	9	1	3	2

 
 
 

Initial 4-lane Progression in Princeton

OM8+, OM4-, OM2-, OM4+, OM2+, OW8+, OW2-, OW4-, LM4-, LM8+, LM4x, LM2-, LW2x, LW4x, LW2-:

If there are five to eight entries, crews advancing out of each heat are placed in the first final; all others are placed into the repechages. Crews advancing out of the repechages are placed into the first final; all others in the repechages are eliminated. If there are four or fewer entries, the first race will be the first final.

In events with nine or more entries, crews advancing out of each heat are placed directly in the semifinals; all others are placed into the repechages. Crews advancing out of the repechages are placed in the semifinals; all others in the repechages are eliminated. All crews advancing out of the semifinals are placed in the final; all others in the semifinals are eliminated. The options for composition of the repechages and semifinals shall be according to the 4-lane predetermined formulas posted at the trials site.

The following shall constitute the forms of progression for four-lane racing:

 

Entries	Heats	Adv. In  Each Heat	Repe-  chages	Adv. In Each Repechage	Semi-  Finals	Adv. In Each    Semifinal
1-4	0	0	0	0	0	final only
5-6	2	1	1	2	0	-
7-8	2	1	2	1	0	-
9-10	3	2	1	2	2	2
11-12	3	2	2	1	2	2
13-16	4	1	4	1	2	2
17+	(head race)  1st 16 into 4 heats; rest eliminated; then follow progression for 13-16 entries.	16 (from head race)  1 from each heat	4	1	2	2

 
 

Finals Format & Seeding – All Trials Boats:

Under the "Two out of three" progression system, all crews advancing to the finals round (6 lanes in Indianapolis and 4 lanes in Princeton) shall automatically compete in the first finals race. The heat results will be used to determine lane assignments in the first final. The first three places from the first finals race shall then advance to race in the second finals race. If the same crew wins both of these races, it shall be considered the winner of the event. Otherwise, a third race shall be held between the winners of the first two finals races only, and the winner of the third race shall be considered the winner of the event.

Seeding will be used to determine the composition of heats and the assignment of lanes in heats in trials events. This seeding will be determined by USRowing staff and shall be based on one or more of the following indicators: current year’s speed orders, identification camp results, national team testing results, and prior World Championship and Olympic results. The assignment of lanes for semifinals and finals shall be assigned according to the order of finish in the previous level of competition.

Changes in the Form of Progression

Once the form of progression has been published according to the number of entries received, it may be changed under the following circumstances:

1. By USRowing staff, no later than one hour before the scheduled time of the first race in the event, if due to scratches, the reduced number of entries would call for a different form of progression under the applicable progression system.
2. By USRowing staff any time before the first race in the specific event, if due to scratches the event would be reduced to a final only, with no heats, under the applicable progression system.

Tentative Racing Schedule (Weather Permitting):

For events with finals only – 6 or fewer entries in Indianapolis; 4 or fewer entries in Princeton

Day 1: Athlete’s Meeting

Day 4: Finals Race #1

Day 5: Finals Race #2 (first 3 competitors from Finals Race #1)

Day 6: Finals Race #3 (2 competitors) *Note: This race will only be held if necessary

For events with 7-12 entries in Indianapolis; 5-8 entries in Princeton

Day 1: Athlete’s Meeting

Day 2: Heats

Day 3: Repechages

Day 4: Finals Race #1

Day 5: Finals Race #2 (first 3 competitors from Finals Race #1)

Day 6: Finals Race #3 (2 competitors) *Note: This race will only be held if necessary

For events necessitating semi-finals; 13 or more entries in Indianapolis; 9 or more entries in Princeton

Day 1: Athlete’s Meeting

Day 2: Heats & Repechages

Day 3: Semi-finals

Day 4: Finals Race #1

Day 5: Finals Race #2 (first 3 competitors from Finals Race #1)

Day 6: Finals Race #3 (2 competitors) *Note: This race will only be held if necessary

TRIALS REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility:

The USRowing National Team selection process is open to all athletes who meet the following criteria:

• Hold United States citizenship at the time of trials
• Hold current membership and be in good financial standing with USRowing
• Complete a 1998 USRowing Athlete Consent and 1998 USRowing Athlete Agreement Form

Drug Testing:

All athletes participating in selection for the national team are subject to drug testing administered by representatives of the United States Olympic Committee or FISA. Athletes who violate USOC, IOC, FISA, or USRowing rules relating to banned substances will be subject to penalties as established by the respective organization. Athletes are responsible for calling the USOC drug hotline (800/233-0393) prior to taking any medications and making sure the medication they are taking is not on the banned list. A complete guide to banned substances is available by contacting USOC Drug Control and Education Program (800/233-0393) or the USRowing Athlete Coordinator (317/237-5647).

Trials Weight Requirements:

Lightweight Women

The 4x, 2x, & 2- must average 57 kgs. (125.67 lbs.), with no individual rower weighing more than 59 kgs. (130.07 lbs.).

Lightweight Men

The 8+, 4x, 4-, 2x, & 2- must average 70 kgs. (154.32 lbs.), with no individual rower weighing more than 72.5 kgs. (159.84 lbs.).

A scale will be provided at the trials course. It will be made available for athlete weighing following the athletes’ meeting, which is generally held one day prior to the first heat. Athletes will be required to weigh in only once per day for the first race of the day regardless of the number of events or races that athlete is competing in on that particular day. The weigh in shall take place on each day no less than one hour and no more than two hours before the scheduled time of the first race in the first event for which the athlete is scheduled to compete in that day. Competitors shall be weighed in racing uniform, without shoes or other footgear.

Rules of Racing:

All athletes must abide by all trials rules and safety procedures set forth in the 1998 USRowing Rules of Rowing. Copies of the Rules of Rowing may be purchased from USRowing (317) 237-5656. The 1998 Rules of Rowing will also be available for distribution at the World Championship Trials racing site.

Time Standards:

No time standards will be used in the 1998 Selection Procedures.

Boat Weigh-In:

All boats are required to be at weight according to the FISA Rules of Racing. It is the responsibility of the athletes and/or their coaches to have their boats at weight. All boats will be subject to "weight checks" during the course of the trials procedure. Any crew whose boat is found to be under the minimum weight as a result of a weight check will be disqualified.

A scale will be provided at the trials course following the athletes’ meeting as well as throughout the remainder of the trials procedure. Athletes are strongly encouraged to weigh their boats well in advance of the start of the race.

Athlete Check-In:

A representative of each boat will be required to attend and confirm their participation at the roll call during the Athletes’ Meeting the day before the first day of racing. All athletes and coaches are responsible for any information given out by USRowing staff during the athletes’ meeting.

Declaration of Intent to Compete:

Within two hours after winning the trials, a crew must declare their intention to compete in the World Championships. If the winning crew declines, the second place crew must declare their intention to compete. This digression in finishing place will continue through the third place crew.

USRowing Code of Conduct Agreement & USRowing Team Agreement:

All national team athletes, coaches, and staff selected to the World Championship Team must sign and adhere to the USRowing Code of Conduct as well as the 1998 Team Agreement prior to being authorized to travel to the World Championships.

Selection of Alternate Athletes:

In 1998 the three national team head coaches in consultation with the High Performance Committee Chair and USRowing staff will select six alternates for the World Championships. These six alternates will be fully funded to the Worlds just as the remainder of the team. These alternates will be named no later than 3 days after the last day of the World Championship Team Boat Trials. Alternates to the World Championships will only be substituted into an existing crew for any of the reasons listed in the "Removal of an Athlete from the World Championship Team or World Championship Team Boat" section listed subsequently.

The selection criteria for the alternates will include the following (not necessarily in order of priority):

• World Championship Trials results

• U.S. Nationals results
• Speed Order Results
• Identification Camp results
• National Team Testing results
• Training Center results
• Pre-Elite Camp results
• Athlete’s ability to match the style and technique of the crew as determined by the designated coach
• Physical and physiological characteristics e.g. height, weight, VO2 max., etc.

Selection of Coaches:

In 1998 the three national team head coaches in consultation with the High Performance Committee Chair and USRowing staff will select eighteen (18) team coaches for the World Championships. World Championships’ Team Coaches will be named no later than three days after the last day of the team boat trials. The coach (es) of each team (including the single scullers from the May trials) will be proposed as a World Championships’ coach. All proposed candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria (listed in order of priority):

1. The number of available coaching positions on the team (18)
2. Demonstrated commitment to the crew throughout the year
3. Demonstrated commitment to the National Team throughout the year
4. Choice of and compatibility with the selected crews
5. Number of athletes on the team trained by a particular coach
6. International coaching experience
7. Domestic coaching experience

Selection of other staff:

USRowing Programs staff will select a team manager and other related staff.

Removal of an Athlete, Coach, or Staff Member from the World Championships Team:

A team member may be removed from the team for any of the following reasons:

• A team member may remove himself/herself.
• For behavior in violation of the USRowing Code of Conduct or the 1998 USRowing Team Agreement. Such removal may only take place after a hearing conducted in accordance with the expedited Grievance procedure outlined in Article IX, Section J of the USRowing By-Laws.

• A USRowing team doctor, after consultation with the athlete and coach of that boat, may declare an athlete medically unable to compete because the athlete’s physical condition would inhibit the performance of the boat per the doctor’s diagnosis.
• A returned positive drug test for any USOC/FISA/IOC banned substance.

Replacement of an athlete:

If an athlete on the team is unable to continue at any time (as specified above under "removal of an athlete"), the coach of the boat will select a substitute for that crew from any of the alternates or any other existing team members. The newly selected athlete must be in agreement with such a selection.

If the replacement of an athlete has created a vacancy in an existing boat, a new team member (s) may be identified using criteria listed in the "selection of alternates" criteria. The 3 head coaches in consultation with the High Performance Committee Chair must approve such selection.

All athletes selected to the World Championships Team as a result of the trials procedures detailed above shall race at the World Championships in the same boat in which they were selected to the team, except that any of the national team head coaches, if coaching more than one team boat, may alter the lineups only of those specific team boats they are coaching, provided that a maximum of 50% of the rowers in any one boat can be removed and put in another boat. An athlete affected by these changes may not be removed from the World Championship Team.

FUNDING:

All athletes, alternates, coaches, and staff selected to the World Championships Team will be fully funded.

QUESTIONS:

Any questions on these procedures can be referred to any USRowing programs staff at:

Juan Anzaldo 317/237-5666 Juan@USRowing.org

Mary Kramer 317/237-5647 Mary@USRowing.org

Willie Black 317/237-5672 WillieB@USRowing.org