{"id":17183,"date":"2016-02-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-02-07T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=17183"},"modified":"2016-02-07T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2016-02-07T00:00:00","slug":"2016-02-07-ipc-action-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/2016-02-07-ipc-action-1\/","title":{"rendered":"IPC Action"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"James<\/p>\n

The annual meeting (Plenary) of the International Parachuting Commission (IPC) the skydiving bit of the FAI has just completed in Frankfurt, Germany. It is at this meeting that the future world competitions are awarded to the successful host bidders. Also the rules for our sport generally, and the individual discipline competition rules changes are decided. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#Discipline Rule Changes<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This year there were 40 different countries represented, although not all had voting rights. Held over a 5 day period the first two days consist of open meetings where proposals for change are put forward for discussion and input from everyone – these are busy and interesting days. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##ParaSki <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The only proposed change for ParaSki was the reintroduction of 2-Way Female teams to encourage participation [Approved by the Plenary)<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##Canopy Formations <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In Canopy Formations the proposal to remove the “throw away” round was under serious discussion. By Sunday the committee recommended that the “throw away” round be removed, and the scoring of an “omission” be changed to bring it more in line with FS. [Both accepted by the Plenary]<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Canopy Piloting<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

At the end of the Plenary meeting in 2015 the Canopy Piloting Rules had not been approved, and during the year the committee had worked hard to finalise rules. A modified set had been published and used at the WAG and these were the basis of those now proposed. During the Open meeting the committee were still discussing the rules for Drag Distance regarding the introduction of Gate 5 at 70m instead of the current one at 50 m. The committee had decided that the delegates would have the final say, and so there was quite a bid of discussion as to why the committee was making the proposal. Competitors were against it as they felt it would “kill” the competition for them – whereas the committee’s response was that \u201cthey did not want to kill the event, but did not want to kill the competitors either\u201d. No conclusion was reached at the Open Meeting. [By the formal Plenary the committee decided to stay with the 50m gate. The wind speed limit for zone accuracy was changed to 5 m\/sec and the re-introduced marker strike penalty remains.]<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##Artistic Events <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Finland presented a Trophy for AE Freestyle in memory of the judge Raja Kosonen. The Artistic Events committee proposed the major change that there be two Judges\u2019 ratings for Artistics – an Outdoor rating to cover Freestyle and Free Fly and an Indoor rating to cover Freestyle and Dynamics. [Approved by the Plenary]<\/em>. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##Style and Accuracy <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Day 2 started with the Style and Accuracy Landing proposals. Their main change was that a junior competitor should be able to compete as part of a senior team (male or female), but still have their score count towards a junior event. [Accepted after clarification questions were answered]<\/em> <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##Formation Skydiving <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

FS came next and created more discussion from the floor. They proposed additions to the VFS dive pool; and that all teams will jump 10 rounds of competition, i.e. to remove the semi-final and final rounds. In judging when there was an “absolute” called, that instead of the current unanimous agreement required to alter the score sheet, a majority decision (as with all other ‘busts’) would be allowed. This did cause quite a lot of discussion, and it was finally proposed that this be a “super majority” of 4-1 rather than the normal simple majority of 3-2. In addition the slow speed limit option was reduced to 50% from 70%. Indoors they wished to reduce the dive pool for the Junior Event and the number of flights a junior competitor could make during a day. [All proposals were accepted except for new additions to the VFS dive pool in an “on” year.]<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##Wingsuit Flying<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The second morning ended with the two ‘new’ disciplines – first, Wingsuiting which had decided to amalgamate the rules of Performance Flying and Acrobatic. Although there was a desire to include both disciplines in the 2016 World Championships, it had been decided that for this year there would be a World Championships in Wingsuit Performance Flying and a World Cup in Wingsuit Acrobatic (as the Acrobatic were not ready for a Championships yet) . In 2017 both would do a World Cup and by 2018 a combined World Championship. The next “contentious” proposal was to allow “International Teams” in the first World Cup of Wingsuit Acrobatic as many of the top competitors were flying an international configuration. Although “International Teams” were allowable under FAI regulations, IPC had always been opposed. As the proposal from the committee was that it be an interim move the feeling from the floor was against it in principle.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##Indoor Skydiving<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We then had the Indoor Working Group. A lot is happening with this discipline and the proposal of the Working Group was that they become a formal committee (accepted). The rules would stay with the two Disciplines committee (FS and AE); they would concentrate on promotion and working with the Commercial Wind Tunnels to promote IPC and encourage bids. The committee also were working on a blueprint of what a tunnel should have in terms of facilities, camera placement etc. to inform tunnel owners. They had produced a “How to Bid Guide”. There was a proposal to alter the timing of the future competitions from the current “end of year” position to “start of the year”. With the number of bids currently on the table this proposal was moved to apply in 2018 and be discussed next year.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It was also decided that an 8-way competition at this time would restrict the number of tunnels that could bid so it was shelved.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##Judging<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Judges Committee presented the work they were doing to improve Judge Training Standards Internationally; creating a list of Approved Scoring Systems for use at all FCEs (First Class Events), this would be approved annually at IPC and also the method of new Systems being considered for inclusion. They introduced the new on-line Judge Training Tool for judges to practice at home scoring from good video files of judged competitions. These will both be posted on the FAI\/IPC Website<\/a> <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#Future World Competitions<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

During the committee presentations any future Bids to host FCEs are made by the organisers. These will be voted on by the Plenary, but this is the time the organiser has to show videos, make the pitch and answer questions. Also any organiser who has had a bid accepted in a previous Plenary, but wishes to make changes, has to present his reasons at this time to make the alterations.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##2016 Mondial<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Rook Nelson from Skydive Chicago, the hosts for the 2016 Mondial, had several changes he wished to make: to the timetable for the competition; the second Drop Zone to be used; and the inclusion of Speed Skydiving. There were a lot of questions from the floor as to the effect these changes would have to the overall costs to NACs and the teams they were sending, in terms of a longer competition than presented the previous year. However the improvement to the competition in terms of the integration of all disciplines making for a truer “Mondial” concept finally won over the Plenary.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##Style and Accuracy World Championships 2018<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

During the Style and Accuracy presentation, Bulgaria, the successful hosts of the 2015 European Championships in Style and Accuracy made their presentation to host the 2018 World Championships, which was unanimously approved at the Plenary.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

FS, CF, AE World Cup 2017<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Germany had put a last minute bid on the table to host the European Championships and World Cup in Formation Skydiving, Canopy Formation and Artistic Events in Saarlouis in 2017 (7-13 August). [Accepted.]<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##CP Comp, 2017<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Dubai had put in a bid during 2015 to host a Canopy Piloting competition during 2016 – but the competition had already been awarded to Canada so they were happy for the same bid to be considered for 2017. [Accepted unanimously]<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Tim<\/p>\n

##Speed<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Speed Skydiving was to be included in the Mondial, Chicago 2016 and the World Champion from that event would be awarded the Tim Mace Trophy, unveiled at the Plenary.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##Wingsuiting World Events<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Wingsuit flying had two bids on the table to host the World Championships in 2016 (November 2-10). However Chicago withdrew leaving only the bid from Z’Hills, Florida, USA. The Performance WS event will be first, followed by the Acrobatic. [Accepted unanimously.]<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##Indoor Skydiving World Events<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Indoor Skydiving had the most bids for consideration and one of their requests was that IPC seriously look at a longer lead-in time, giving organisers a greater opportunity to be awarded a bid and then secure sponsorship. The Plenary replied, that was up to the committee and there was certainly no reason why bids could not be considered for future years.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Indoor Skydiving had received 3 bids for the 2016 World Cup\/European Championships and 4 bids for 2017 World Championships. Belgium withdrew their bid for 2016, wishing only to continue with the bid for 2017. The bid from Poland (2016 & 2017) was heard, and we had a presentation from Slovakia (for 2016 and 2017). The bids for 2017 were from Canada, Germany, Poland, Belgium and Slovakia. We then had a presentation from Canada. The committee was not recommending Germany as the tunnel was still under construction, so we also had the bid from Belgium. [At the Plenary, Indoor Skydiving Poland was awarded the 2016 World Cup, and European Championships (October 11-16,) and Canada the World Championships in 2017 (18-23 October).]<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##Plenary<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

After the open meetings conclude there is a day of “closed meetings”. This is when the committees finalise their proposals for presentation to the formal Plenary and approval. The last two days are the actual Plenary when votes are taken on all proposed changes to rules and the various Bids for competitions. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

##IPC News, Awards and Elections<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A new IPC Records Claims Officer was created, to speed the processing of records. The latest position regarding the World Games and Canopy Piloting as a demonstration sport: there will be a test event this year with the World Games taking place, in Poland, in 2017.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The last day of the Plenary is more formal business where votes are taken to approve the list of IPC Jurors; the various Committees; the Budget for the coming 2 years; the FAI Judges List; and the proposed Chief Judges for the 2016 competitions. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Night World Records are ratified as official FAI category, in both FS and CF. The Plenary agreed the award of the Gold Parachuting Medal to Tomas Berriolo of Argentina<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"IPC<\/p>\n

##IPC Bureau<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The nomination and election process for each position is very formal and is supervised by the FAI officials. We finally ended with the new Bureau of<\/p>\n