So, based on rule 8.15, you can really have a deviation of 18 inches between different skiers paths and still fall into tolerance. 9 inches positive to one skiers path is considered in tolerance while 9 inches negative for a competing skier is also in tolerance. I do not see how this could be fair. Especially at 41 and 43 off. Unless I am completely missing something here, I would think the tolerances would become tighter at the shorter lengths.
What you are missing is that *cumulative* deviation is the much bigger factor that mandates more uniformity between skiers. A driver is allowed just under 19.3inches cumulative deviation - the addition of all the deviation at each buoy - per pass. This keeps it fair and is where 95%+ of out of tolerance paths at pro level come from.
So, that would average out equally to just over 3” per buoy cumulatively. That is a trend in the right direction.
So, based on rule 8.15, you can really have a deviation of 18 inches between different skiers paths and still fall into tolerance. 9 inches positive to one skiers path is considered in tolerance while 9 inches negative for a competing skier is also in tolerance. I do not see how this could be fair. Especially at 41 and 43 off. Unless I am completely missing something here, I would think the tolerances would become tighter at the shorter lengths.
What you are missing is that *cumulative* deviation is the much bigger factor that mandates more uniformity between skiers. A driver is allowed just under 19.3inches cumulative deviation - the addition of all the deviation at each buoy - per pass. This keeps it fair and is where 95%+ of out of tolerance paths at pro level come from.