Well, the test meet yesterday went OK (as test meets go, I guess), but today, when we had to put things into action, it was REALLY interesting. The VDM method for measurement is REALLY exciting! I have to tell you that we had no issues with using it, and in the decathlon long jump (with 17 competitors in my pit), we had a very easy day. There were a few times when I wanted to look at the before and after images, and to see the changes in the surface of the landing area, from a distance of about 35-40 meters, and see them better than you could with the naked eye - was incredible. I will post some video later, but the clarity and the speed at which we not only got the images, but how quickly they were measured, was even more impressive that I thought it would be. I didnt clock it today, but i will tomorrow morning. Im really curious to see how quick we are between jumps. The other aspect of using the VDM is that each jump is recorded. At 7 frames per second, starting with approximately the take-off from the board and ending about +2 seconds after the athlete lands, really allows you to see the changes in the surface, and to get the most accurate mark - perhaps too accurate, since you can togle the images back and forth to look for even the slightest changes in the landing surface. The groomers on both pits did a great job, keeping the surface almost drag smooth. We found that if they raked and brushed paralleel to the scratch line, we could get very good, clear images of the lannding and the changes in the surface. By using radio communication between ourselves, the pit boss and the athlete control judge (i.e. flight coordinatior), we were able to keep things moving, and clear from clutter. In reaity, one could perhaps conduct the vent with as few as 5 officials - 2 in the landing ares to groom, a board judge, a timing/wind gague judge, and the athlete control judge. But, dont be scared - Im not advocating taking away positions! You still need your plasticine folks, and a chief free to handle issues that come up. It was a bit different not seeing anyone in the landing area with a stick or reflector, and to only see the board judge raise a flag and place and remove a cone, but I thought these things made the competition better to watch. More to come . . .
Posted on: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 06:06:49 +0000
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