The rules on jumping have been modified for 2012.  IF you have a jump that is the longest in a set and IF it had a fast second segment you will have a mandatory reride BUT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO IMPROVE THE SCORE. You will get the score of the mandatory reride with a cap.  You can read more of this by reviewing paragraphs 9.09 and 9.10 in the AWSA rulebook at the following link: http://www.usawaterski.org/pages/divisions/3event/2012AWSARuleBook.pdf .

Why the change?  Skiers/drivers were using this as a means of getting a 4th jump which, in the case of some major tournaments, became the winning jump of the competition.  This leads to a NON-level playing field - thus the change.

DRIVERS: you are reminded that skier letters are based on weight and documented distances; skiers can choose only +/- four letters of adjustment.  I would be hard pressed to name a 200 pound skier jumping 180-200 ft in the SCR.  Therefore, letters "Y and Z" should be used very rarely.  A ZO Jump Chart is available for download in the Resources Section (Downloads) of this website - scroll down the list.  Please use at all times.

The role of the driver is to drive actual times not to be some type of hero who drove the record setting jump of the day.  If the jumper can't ski the long distances under actual times then they need to practice some more.  You need to provide them with the consistency of actual times in all boats and under various conditions.

There is a growing body of documented speeds to the ramp based on various settings that show a distinct variation which, in turn, correlates well with distances.  If this variance cannot be narrowed by aiming for actual times then the letter adjustment may have to be narrowed to +/- 2 and the power factor constrained as well.  Moral:  zero in on actual times.