Topic: Event Formats - Overall Event / Heats / Qualifiers

[Mark Toorock]

Most of the events so far have an open qualifier and an invitational portion. As more people get to a competitive level,m we will need better formats to be able to run the events in a timely manner but also to help the events be designed so that the outcome displays what we want it to, in other words that the people who finish in high rankings are displaying the attributes we feel are important, speed, strength, agility, adaptability, etc.

[Ryan Ford]

Agreed. As the "pros" get better and better, it allows the course designs to be harder and harder. However, this also means the courses can be dangerous for those who are not experienced enough, skilled enough, or competent enough in knowing their limits.

[Tom Coppola]

We have a competition coming up this Friday at PKBC's annual gathering.  Instead of an invitational/open format we will have a list of 5 or so elimination challenges.  Each challenge is scored based on performance, for example a dyno with both arms is 2 points and 1 arm is 1 point, 2 points for the precision 1 point for the crane, etc.  You'll have to accumulate enough points to move on to the obstacle course challenge, ex. 8/10.

I think the goal with the elimination challenges is to establish some standard performance level for athletes to meet in order to compete.  I think we're trying out 2 upper body, 2 lower body, and 1 combination skill.

I don't know much more about it because I'm competing, but we'll see how it works out on Friday.

[NOS - from Parkour Mumbai]

Tom, I'd love to hear more about this format.

[JimmyD-TPK]

Tom, thats a really good idea.