Seasons
Comments about this discussion:
Started
The rules were written in a time, when there usually was one or in a Unicon year two events per year. That is no longer the case, there is much more unicyclists now and many more events throughout the year. Also training improved and some already plan their training one year ahead. And that doesn't play well anymore with the rules for one event per year. As such problems arise (and Freestyle in Germany is already negatively affected by this):
- Athletes are assigned to group/class by first day of event
- Disadvantage for people having birthday on/off-season (competitive phase)
- Huge impact on their competition requirements (wheel size, routine length)
- Unfair training planning and preparations
- Unfair competitions due to extra challenging situation
It's biased, unfair and favors athletes based on their birthday.
We can mitigate this by paying respect to a season and give every athlete the same condition for their preparation and as such ensure equal competitions.
As age is currently defined in section 1.D1 of the rulebook. I'd likely define the necessary terms to explain season + series:
## 1.D1 Definitions
Season: Your annual training year, periodized usually in three phases.
Preparation phase: Build up competitive form
Competitive phase: Hold competitive form
Transition phase: Regeneration
Series: A series is a set of events with a defined start and end date.
Recommendation is to have the events no longer apart than 6 weeks (competitive form declines after that time).
Qualification Series: Best placed athletes qualify themselves for the next higher competition (eg. State -> Regional -> National -> International)
Cup Series: A loosly set of competitions, each standing on its own, yet allow awarding the best overall athlete for the entire season.
Season Due Date: For a qualification series the event date of the highest competition. For a cup series the event date of the highest competition when available otherwise organizers must pick a reasonable date.
And then finally update the age to include the season due date:
Age: Rider's age for all age categories is determined by their age on the first day of the event, regardless of whether any events occur that day or the due date of an associated series. Time of birth, time zones and date of arrival at the event are not relevant.
The will not have any negative side-effects to what is happening right now, but will contain the necessary rules to those who would make use of season to provide an equal competition for their athletes.