IBO WORLD - Quote from " Ken Watkins"
08-21-2003, 03:35 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: St. Paris Ohio USA
Posts: 163
IBO WORLD - Quote from " Ken Watkins"
This is a quote from Ken Watkins.....I' m putting it a new post so everyone will see it. Hope this helps explain what happened on Saturday.
Curtis Locker II
IBO State Rep. / Ohio
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Clarification: What Happened and Why
Saturday morning of the 2003 IBO World Championships saw a cascade of unprecedented events unfold that combined to influence those involved in all levels of tournament management.
Just after dawn, a heavy fog at range check-in points made shooting conditions far from optimal and safe. Soon thereafter, an official Red Alert was announced (lightning/electrical storms in area).
Around 9:30 a.m., the lightning alert was lifted. At that time, range officials decided to start sending groups from the start points from C/D/E (where I was, at that time), as well as most of the other ranges.
Unfortunately, in a short period of time, another Red Alert was called and the ranges were shut down.
Then, as it grew closer to 11: 00 a.m., officials were faced with the potential of “go/no go” situation—the cut-off point when it was logistically impossible for all participants to shoot a full 20-target course in the remaining amount of daylight.
In past years, the IBO guideline regularly utilized under such a scenario has been to go to the last common target for the finals on Sunday.
However, this situation was unique because many classes had not yet shot on common ranges. As a result, it was decided to take the top five from every range/every class combination. If the class was split between ranges, scores started back at zero for the final. Simply, it is not equitable to compare scores from one range to another in this situation.
The classes that shot on a single range on Friday carried their scores for a combined score. Again, there was precedence for this procedure based on past IBO tournaments and decisions.
A clarification about the Red Alert system is also appropriate due to rumor and hearsay. This system is called Thorgard®. It is an automated system that tracks activity in a circle of 15 miles from Snowshoe. If the system detects conditions to be prime for a local lightning strike, a Red Alert is called. As further explanation, a single lightning strike can travel more than 10 miles from its point of origin.
Ignoring such a Red Alert would be negligent on behalf of Snowshoe staff and the IBO.
On the matter of closure of the practice range during the Red Alert—it was done, several times. As soon as an official was out of sight, someone began shooting again.
The IBO Board is in the process of examining further contingencies should such a situation occur in the future (Some were suggested to me Saturday at a much higher than normal volume.) One possibility is a four-day event with the last day as a weather contingency. Another is placing the course starting points lower, with 15 targets to a range. Additional ranges are also being discussed, to bring the start times into a 8:00-to-2:00 time frame.
Hindsight gives each of us a clarity to see what each of us may have done differently. Equity and format required us to go in the directions that were taken. We can change those structures for next time. But to change the process in the middle would deny equitable opportunity for all competitors.
All participants from this year will be notified by letter as soon as any changes or contingencies are official.
The decisions made by the IBO Board and Tournament Staff on Saturday were neither easy nor anticipated. They are decisions no one ever wants to make. We also knew the reaction would be mixed, and unpopular with some. However, shooter safety and well-being is, and will continue to be, the first priority for this and all IBO events.
Ken Watkins
Curtis Locker II
IBO State Rep. / Ohio
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Clarification: What Happened and Why
Saturday morning of the 2003 IBO World Championships saw a cascade of unprecedented events unfold that combined to influence those involved in all levels of tournament management.
Just after dawn, a heavy fog at range check-in points made shooting conditions far from optimal and safe. Soon thereafter, an official Red Alert was announced (lightning/electrical storms in area).
Around 9:30 a.m., the lightning alert was lifted. At that time, range officials decided to start sending groups from the start points from C/D/E (where I was, at that time), as well as most of the other ranges.
Unfortunately, in a short period of time, another Red Alert was called and the ranges were shut down.
Then, as it grew closer to 11: 00 a.m., officials were faced with the potential of “go/no go” situation—the cut-off point when it was logistically impossible for all participants to shoot a full 20-target course in the remaining amount of daylight.
In past years, the IBO guideline regularly utilized under such a scenario has been to go to the last common target for the finals on Sunday.
However, this situation was unique because many classes had not yet shot on common ranges. As a result, it was decided to take the top five from every range/every class combination. If the class was split between ranges, scores started back at zero for the final. Simply, it is not equitable to compare scores from one range to another in this situation.
The classes that shot on a single range on Friday carried their scores for a combined score. Again, there was precedence for this procedure based on past IBO tournaments and decisions.
A clarification about the Red Alert system is also appropriate due to rumor and hearsay. This system is called Thorgard®. It is an automated system that tracks activity in a circle of 15 miles from Snowshoe. If the system detects conditions to be prime for a local lightning strike, a Red Alert is called. As further explanation, a single lightning strike can travel more than 10 miles from its point of origin.
Ignoring such a Red Alert would be negligent on behalf of Snowshoe staff and the IBO.
On the matter of closure of the practice range during the Red Alert—it was done, several times. As soon as an official was out of sight, someone began shooting again.
The IBO Board is in the process of examining further contingencies should such a situation occur in the future (Some were suggested to me Saturday at a much higher than normal volume.) One possibility is a four-day event with the last day as a weather contingency. Another is placing the course starting points lower, with 15 targets to a range. Additional ranges are also being discussed, to bring the start times into a 8:00-to-2:00 time frame.
Hindsight gives each of us a clarity to see what each of us may have done differently. Equity and format required us to go in the directions that were taken. We can change those structures for next time. But to change the process in the middle would deny equitable opportunity for all competitors.
All participants from this year will be notified by letter as soon as any changes or contingencies are official.
The decisions made by the IBO Board and Tournament Staff on Saturday were neither easy nor anticipated. They are decisions no one ever wants to make. We also knew the reaction would be mixed, and unpopular with some. However, shooter safety and well-being is, and will continue to be, the first priority for this and all IBO events.
Ken Watkins
08-22-2003, 03:51 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: MB Canada
Posts: 20
RE: IBO WORLD - Quote from " Ken Watkins"
While having breakfast Monday morning at Snowshoe. Ken came over to us to talk. He appoligized for what went down, and I think we all understood that safety is #1 priority. the IBO made the right call there.
But out of the thousands that were there and only a few shot 30 targets, I feel that everyone should have shot Sunday and the placings should have been out of 40 targets.
Good call everyone lived to shoot another day
Bad call that only a few hundred shot Sunday
Just my take.
But out of the thousands that were there and only a few shot 30 targets, I feel that everyone should have shot Sunday and the placings should have been out of 40 targets.
Good call everyone lived to shoot another day
Bad call that only a few hundred shot Sunday
Just my take.
08-23-2003, 09:10 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: TROUPSBURG, N.Y
Posts: 371
RE: IBO WORLD - Quote from " Ken Watkins"
The safety issue being the main deterent to completing the shoot was very important. Some of the facts that have not been mentioned are as follows:
At 8:30 we arrived at the check in for the H range and were told that we could go to our course and start shooting. We then proceeded to the starting point and had a 20 minute walk. Upon ariving we found the target to be visable but the fog gave us some problem. We called out to insure that there were no other shooters in the area of the target and then procedded to shoot for score. As we went from target to target we had no delays and we expierenced some very bad footing due to the wet conditions and the rains we were expierenceing were making it more hazardous to walk from target to target. At one point one of the member of our group fell with both feet in a creek that we had to cross to retrieve our arrows and hurt his hip but after a few minutes was able to continue. There was no lightning visable where we were and only once did we hear distance thunder. After completing the first 10 targets the terain became less of a problem and the rain let up somewhat. As we were about to shoot the 18th target a messenger from Snowshoe approached us from the direction of the targets that we had just finished and gave us the word that the shoot had been cancelled for the day and that we were to proceed to the lift where a bus would pick us up. Upon arriving at the bottom of the hill there was a group of about 100 people standing around waiting for some kind of transportation. Within 5 minutes of arriving at the lift the lift which had not been running because of the threat of lightning started running again.
The main point here is that if the Red alert had been declared shortly after dawn and then lifted around 9:30 why were we allowed to walk to our targets and start shooting at 8:30 and we were not alone in the area that we were shooting in. If the safety issue is the most important than the next most important issue has to be communications. If lightning is a threat to a large number scattered throughout the mountain, a bigger threat is a large group of people standing within a few feet of oneanother if lightning hits in the middle of a group that size. The threat was over before it began for most of the people where I was shooting and a hazardous walk down mountain with muddy shooting conditions was all for nothing. For our group all of this could have been prevented with the proper communications.
No one can change what has happened, but we can avoid it from happening again by not allowing ourselves to be put in harms way. Cancelling a shoot because of darkness is something that the shooters can live with if they are unable to move fast enough to complete the course in the alloted time. Not having the chance to complete the course even at a later starting time is not acceptable. Less than 10% of the shooters will make the shoot off at any given shoot and may be upset. 100% fo the shooters could not shoot and that is what they came to The IBO World Championship to do.
Collecting all the facts is the first thing that the BOD has to do and then analyze where the real problems were and how to solve them in the furture at any location that they may be shooting.
The disappointment of many shooters is the first thing that must be addressed and the shooters participating are all potential champions until the end of the scheduled number targets. The man at the top is the person that has to answer for any failures and the BOD has no individual names or any known way to be challanged.
Time will tell if I will participate in future events of the IBO but for now I am more interested in seeing if they are a large enough organization to try to come up with a solution that will insure that the majority of the shooter will get complete satisfaction at future shoots that they sanction.
At 8:30 we arrived at the check in for the H range and were told that we could go to our course and start shooting. We then proceeded to the starting point and had a 20 minute walk. Upon ariving we found the target to be visable but the fog gave us some problem. We called out to insure that there were no other shooters in the area of the target and then procedded to shoot for score. As we went from target to target we had no delays and we expierenced some very bad footing due to the wet conditions and the rains we were expierenceing were making it more hazardous to walk from target to target. At one point one of the member of our group fell with both feet in a creek that we had to cross to retrieve our arrows and hurt his hip but after a few minutes was able to continue. There was no lightning visable where we were and only once did we hear distance thunder. After completing the first 10 targets the terain became less of a problem and the rain let up somewhat. As we were about to shoot the 18th target a messenger from Snowshoe approached us from the direction of the targets that we had just finished and gave us the word that the shoot had been cancelled for the day and that we were to proceed to the lift where a bus would pick us up. Upon arriving at the bottom of the hill there was a group of about 100 people standing around waiting for some kind of transportation. Within 5 minutes of arriving at the lift the lift which had not been running because of the threat of lightning started running again.
The main point here is that if the Red alert had been declared shortly after dawn and then lifted around 9:30 why were we allowed to walk to our targets and start shooting at 8:30 and we were not alone in the area that we were shooting in. If the safety issue is the most important than the next most important issue has to be communications. If lightning is a threat to a large number scattered throughout the mountain, a bigger threat is a large group of people standing within a few feet of oneanother if lightning hits in the middle of a group that size. The threat was over before it began for most of the people where I was shooting and a hazardous walk down mountain with muddy shooting conditions was all for nothing. For our group all of this could have been prevented with the proper communications.
No one can change what has happened, but we can avoid it from happening again by not allowing ourselves to be put in harms way. Cancelling a shoot because of darkness is something that the shooters can live with if they are unable to move fast enough to complete the course in the alloted time. Not having the chance to complete the course even at a later starting time is not acceptable. Less than 10% of the shooters will make the shoot off at any given shoot and may be upset. 100% fo the shooters could not shoot and that is what they came to The IBO World Championship to do.
Collecting all the facts is the first thing that the BOD has to do and then analyze where the real problems were and how to solve them in the furture at any location that they may be shooting.
The disappointment of many shooters is the first thing that must be addressed and the shooters participating are all potential champions until the end of the scheduled number targets. The man at the top is the person that has to answer for any failures and the BOD has no individual names or any known way to be challanged.
Time will tell if I will participate in future events of the IBO but for now I am more interested in seeing if they are a large enough organization to try to come up with a solution that will insure that the majority of the shooter will get complete satisfaction at future shoots that they sanction.
