–WORLD FIZZ CUP —

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CUP SKIPPERS

Introduction

I would like to take this opportunity to clarify things and to put an end to some controversial discussions. I am of course talking about the “pumping” effect or “Fizz cheat” you have heard about — decisions must be taken quickly, and here they are, I will assume all responsibility, so please read on.
One third of the Fizz Cup Qualification Rounds were held, and so I will clarify some points and answer a few questions.
But first of all, let me also say thank you to the many participants for their behaviour and discipline and to all the Yacht Clubs and their teams involved in the organization of this big event. Bravo to everyone! Thanks also to all those who offered me their support and advice on many crucial points.
Now let me get to the heart of the matter without wasting your time further, training/practicing await you… “To pump or NOT to pump?”

Background and Definition

Beginning with the very first race, the lap times and points of sail of some competitors raised eyebrows, aroused suspicion.
The Race Directors, Mothgirl Dibou and I immediately analyzed the phenomenon and concluded that these competitors were using (abusing?) a particular feature of the boat. Let me explain:
The Flying Fizz incorporates various features to reduce the computational cost to the Second Life region (aka “lag”), and makes it more pleasant to use even under difficult conditions. You all know the command “reduce lag” for example. One of these (intended) features is that the boat retains its initial speed for 2 seconds while steering. I remain convinced that this is a very good feature of the Fizz, and we all benefit even without knowing about it.
One side effect (the bad one) of this feature, when abused in a certain way, is that the boat will retain its speed whatever the wind direction, wind speed and wind angle if you just keep changing the steering. When used in this way, this “trick” can provide a considerable advantage as it has been demonstrated during the first two Fizz Cup Rounds (and as described in a number of posts on .ORG).
In RL, this behaviour can (probably) be treated as a violation and fall within the scope of ISAF Rule 42. Opinions are divided on this point and we talk instead about “types” of behaviour: “arcade gaming” / “reflexes” versus “realism”… a long debate, as you can imagine.
No rule other than one concerning the sportsmanship of competitors has been published and is currently in use in the SL sailing community regarding this “trick” — the problem had not come up before.
A large number of exchanges took place on this subject over weekend; Against the rules or simply unsporting, a lot of sailors feel they were cheated by a few. This document aims to move us forward from a difficult situation. They are documented below.

I also wish to clarify some points:

The gap (or gain) recorded during the first 2 races does not justify cancellation of the races. As proof of this, tests made with this feature shows a possible gain much higher than the ones we have seen (see Liv’s post on .ORG), far beyond the performances we are talking about.

The few competitors who used this feature were the first to contact Mothgirl and the Cup Director on their own, and this is to their honour. We thank them for that.

Finally, please, no drama! Beyond your own pride to finish 1st or 2nd or 9th, we are only racing the second qualifying round and I would like to remind you that the first 30 continue the competition; the rankings are reset after the qualification phase; the finals will be calculated with a system of ranking by points. So finally, regardless of the rankings at the end of qualification rounds, any of the top 30 at the end of the first phase can still win the Gold Cup.

Chronology and Decisions

I am particularly proud of the reaction of all those concerned and, having heard and read all sides of the issue, here’s a brief chronological look of the discussion as it evolved behind the scene:

H: Detection of “doubt” about this feature from the first day of racing at 1AM (Saturday). The decision is made to analyze it closely starting with the following race at 1 PM (could not go faster).

H+13: Analysis and understanding of the feature/exploit from the race immediately following the end of the first day. First exchanges/discussions with the concerned skippers. Tests are carried out.

H+15: The executive committee of the Cup is alerted, and all solutions were being considered and discussed to address this cheat, then still unknown to everyone:
- Should we upgrade the boat?
- Should we penalize the skippers concerned?
- Should we use the races?
- Should we introduce a new rule?
- …
(Opinions differed, advise was against, and time was short). Mothgirl affirms that a quick update of the Flying Fizz is possible and was undertaking this update.

H+31: The very next day, I decide to publiclize our concern and to explain the issue so that all skippers may have the same level of information. I also explain the issue in public annoucements before each race, relayed by an excellent article on .COM by JFos.
Pending a final solution, we appeal to common sense, honesty and everyone’s sportsmanship. The second qualifying round wass underway, so we could not change the rules in the middle.

H+37: Mothgirl announced that a version 2.03 of the Flying Fizz was available. The new version removes the anti-lag feature from steering.

H+48: At the end of the second round, and after a few hours of sleep, I discharge my responsibilities as Cup Director to take the final decision and write up this notecard for you.

In less than two days, with gaps of time zones, the time needed to run the races, the number of people giving their opinion, IMs and countless discussions, I consider the work of each person involved admirable, as well as the behaviour of all competitors, without exception.

Final Decision

Because:

– the version 2.03 of the Flying Fizz is only a minor change of version 2.02 as explained,
– the behaviour and performance of the boat also remain unchanged,
– we need to categorically reject any doubt that could tarnish this cup, leaving a cloud over the final results,
– some of you are skeptical about the fair conduct of some competitors after the experience of the first rounds,,
– We have 4 days separating us from the next event, and therefore time to do it,

The decision is taken:

– To announce the Flying Fizz V2.03 boat is OFFICIAL for the remainder of the competition.
– And therefore to deny further racing in version V2.02.

To facilitate migration, and taking into account that many competitors may not log on during the week, the version 2.02 is still tolerated in the 3rd qualifying round, but a time penalty of 60 seconds will be added to competitors using it. The use of version 2.02 is prohibited from the beginning of the 4th Qualifyng round.

Other miscellaneous items

Regarding the choice of courses for the Fizz Cup:
People talk; 6 courses x 7 competitors = 42 best ideas…
It is a deliberate strategy of the Fizz Cup committee to minimize habits and set new challenges; to that end, we intended to deviate slightly from the usual by offering new courses and by modifying some settings in places. All choices are not perfect, but the 6 races are expected to exploit all facets of the Flying Fizz sailing and racing in groups. We also decided to split groups into sub-groups when required in order to limit the number of participants in each race despite the complexity of planning/staff availability that this entails. In any case, the race courses are announced and published, and soon you’ll be sailing in “competition” mode in which skill differences should be more obvious…
But don’t relax too much - there are more surprises to come, and no doubt plenty to comment about, when we start to disclose the choice of courses (and winds) used for the finals…

Application of rules:
It was also a conscious choice to facilitate involvement in this competition by inexperienced skippers, who are sometimes unaware of the rules, and to be flexible in applying these rules. That said, rules are announced at the beginning of each race and we try to take time to discuss and explain to competitors any wrongdoing. We deliberately make a choice of explanation and training rather than a penalty.
But in the competition ahead, the level should be improving, and we we’ll be applying the rules more strictly as we move on…….

Planning and absences:
33 skippers have participated in the first two rounds of the Fizz Cup.
Under the simple penalty system put in place for absences, anyone who missed the first two races is still only 2′40 below the threshold for qualification to the next round, less than the gap between the fastest and slowest skipper in each race.
Four Qualification Rounds remain, nothing is done or set in stone, others will be no doubt be absent at other times and the ranking will still profoundly change.
Would we have had a better participation during week days? Certainly not…

So, gentlemen absentees, get your boats!

By the way, can you win RL competitions without participating? Or do you ask the organizers to choose the dates that best match your diary? …

Well, this said, we want to get as many people as possible involved, so…. a second decision :

A “LAST CHANCE RACE” will be held this week on the 2 courses of round 1 and 2 (FY04 and HOTLAP), at a time to be announced, and will be unique. I personally take charge of it.

For those who want to protest: ok guys. But is not it more important to try to be faster than your competitors rather than crossing your fingers hoping they will not race at all?
Come on, let’s be nice…….but this really is the last chance - the equivalent will not be proposed after the next rounds.

Bea Woodget, Fizz Cup Director

/edited by JFos