Date: Wed, 30 Nov 1994 22:51:52 -1000 From: dgomberg@ednet1.osl.or.gov (David Gomberg) Message-Id: <199412010851.AA00252@ednet1.osl.or.gov> Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Subject: AKA Rules in New Orleans I noticed a recent posting by Fran Kenisk, complaining that the AKA rules were not properly implemented in New Orleans. I found that a curious comment. I was in New Orleans for that event, and Frank, himself, was in charge of the sport kite contests! If Kenisk thinks things weren't done right, he should have done them different. New Orleans was an interesting event. The local club, the fliers, and the city itself were great. Stu Eisenman of the Kite Loft was the organizer; as I said, Frank ran the sport kite events. Unfortunately, the sport kite events weren't run well. No judges were recruited in advance and instead, were recruited on the field. There was no pilot meeting. There was no pit boss, and no pit to speak of. Precision events were run league style, but Franks scoring sheets and program were set-up for standard precision. So instead of a single score for "transitions" we were asked to record "artistic" and "technical{" scores which were then averaged. At one point, a flier was called out-of-bounds. (I'm not sure how this was determined, since there were no line judges, but no one disputed the call.) Instead of disqualifying the flier, he was scratched. The difference is that a a DQ comes in last; a scratch is considered a no-show. You get points for beating last place. You also get one point for coming in last. This distinction harmed everyone in the heat. At several points, Frank came on the microphone and announced that this was an AKA sanctioned event, but that "no one understood the AKA ranking process". Finally, I went to the mike and explained. "With AKA, you get one point for everyone you beat. So if there are ten fliers in a heat, and you win, how many points do you get?" A young boy, maybe eight years old, called out from nearby. "Ten," he said. "That's right!", I said, "And if you come in fifth, how many points do you get?" "Five!!" the boy yelled. "That's right again!" ... "So Frank," I announced, "Maybe you should get this young fellow's phone number so you can call him any time you have questions about the AKA rankings." I should add that Kenisk was very friendly and polite while I was at the festival. He hugged me twice and even kissed me once while he asked someone to take our picture. But his event didn't run well, and after the first day, the organizer relieved him of his duties. I understand that Frank has now made the decision to NOT include New Orleans results in the South East League rankings. That seems a shame for those people who used time and money to attend. Any truth to these reports?? I should also add that everyone seemed to be having fun at Kite Fest, and I'd encourage any of you to go down and join them next year. Good people. Good city. Good event. Good Winds! -- David Gomberg phone: 503-996-3083 7200 Highland Road fax: 503-994-9692 Otis, Oregon 97368 USA = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 1 Dec 1994 04:52:05 -1000 From: Mr.Nasty@ix.netcom.com (Frank Kenisky) Message-Id: <3bknul$qm9@ixnews1.ix.netcom.com> Organization: Netcom Subject: Re: AKA Rules in New Orleans In <199412010851.AA00252@ednet1.osl.or.gov> dgomberg@ednet1.osl.or.gov (David Gomberg) writes: >If Kenisk thinks things weren't done right, he should have >done them different. Like you said once before dgombug. Get it right or don't shoot off at the mouth with ur diareara. BTW, I going to send a copy of this posting to Keith Anderson, the Head Judge of the event and one of only two who registered in advance. The other being John Eddyhausen from Dallas, TX. Not very close to New Orleans, LA. BTW John couldn't make it cause he got sick. Unlike your self he took care of his illness before coming in contact with others. Hope you get well soon. >Frank ran the sport kite events. >Unfortunately, the sport kite events weren't run well. On-guard. \\\\ZZZZ//// >No judges were recruited in advance and instead, were recruited >on the field. There was no pilot meeting. There was no pit boss, >and no pit to speak of. Precision events were run league style, >but Franks scoring sheets and program were set-up for standard >precision. So instead of a single score for "transitions" we >were asked to record "artistic" and "technical{" scores which were >then averaged. For being an individual who did nothing more than sit aside and observe you did nothing to help improve what when on, especially in your capasity as, "president" of the AKA. Let me fill you in my misinformed buddy. There were only two, count them (2) preregistered individuals. Stu did not have any other local contestants registered. There were telephone converstations with some of the local kite club individuals but only to try and smooth things over since August since Stu had miscommunicated among other things, where the field was going to be located. Stu asked me to call the local kite club and smooth things over. As for the League Style scoring, you have dug your own grave my friend. Keith Anderson was the Head Judge. (Call him, he'll be more than happy to tell you exactly what happened.) I asked Keith to hold a judges meeting and then a pilots meeting. dgombug took over the meeting and politely asked Keith if he could have the honors. Keith did not want to interfear, since you do have the title of "President". After the first days events, the score keeper, a volunteer from the Texas Skyriter Kite Club in Houston, TX, Cynthia Salazar, came up to me and said the scoring on the sheets did not match the categories set up on the computer. After analyzing what the judges had done, it was apparent that they were trying to judge the event based on standard precision. I took up the issue with my head judge. Keith stated that dgombug expained the method to the judges. I also found out later that dgombug told Keith Anderson that since there were so few competitors, most of whom were at the judges meeting anyway we did not have to have a pilots meeting. >At one point, a flier was called out-of-bounds. (I'm not sure >how this was determined, since there were no line judges, but >no one disputed the call.) Instead of disqualifying the flier, >he was scratched. The difference is that a a DQ comes in last; >a scratch is considered a no-show. You get points for beating >last place. You also get one point for coming in last. This >distinction harmed everyone in the heat. Good point dgombug. Was I supposed to bring the line judges also? And what about the size of the field? It shrank, remember or is this something U conviently forgot to mention? As for the scratch, I think that was probably a misstatement by one of the judges on the field. >At several points, Frank came on the microphone and announced >that this was an AKA sanctioned event, but that "no one >understood the AKA ranking process". Finally, I went to the >mike and explained. "With AKA, you get one point for everyone >you beat. So if there are ten fliers in a heat, and you win, >how many points do you get?" > >A young boy, maybe eight years old, called out from nearby. >"Ten," he said. > >"That's right!", I said, "And if you come in fifth, how many >points do you get?" > >"Five!!" the boy yelled. > >"That's right again!" ... "So Frank," I announced, "Maybe >you should get this young fellow's phone number so you >can call him any time you have questions about the AKA >rankings." Yes, I must admit dgombug, U did simplify the system so that it was understood by that young boy. But I'm afraid if you examine your own explanation you will find that U over simplified. Maybe that's ur problem u are just to simplified. >I should add that Kenisk was very friendly and polite while >I was at the festival. He hugged me twice and even kissed >me once while he asked someone to take our picture. But his >event didn't run well, and after the first day, the organizer >relieved him of his duties. Yea, we kissed on the lips and had sex afterwards. dgombug, u didn't have to kiss and tell. >I understand that Frank has now made the decision to NOT >include New Orleans results in the South East League rankings. >That seems a shame for those people who used time and money >to attend. Any truth to these reports?? Right, any event which does not follow the AKA rules will not be included in the standing. That is the rule. I ask all event organizers to follow the AKA rules. If they do not it is unfair to the contestants and other events around the area. Why should an event be included in a ranking if it did not follow the rules? I think ur insurance co. would also ask the same question if there had been an accident. >I should also add that everyone seemed to be having fun >at Kite Fest, and I'd encourage any of you to go down and >join them next year. Good people. Good city. Good event. Yes, I made the same comment, New Orleans is a wonderful city. They have a very small but bunch of excited kiters, it's too bad that the Stu of the Kite Loft, (responsible for the event) had his head stuck so far up his arse. I apologize to the local contestants and especially to all the contestants who traveled from Texas. But I cannot use the ranking from this event. Several other out-of-town contestants are aware of this matter and agree that the points should not be considered. Some of the contestants were event organizers whom I helped just several months ago. Their event was a sucess. But don't believe me ask them yourself. Collette Ratajski (512) 729-2448 Keith Anderson (713) 641-7376 You may have noticed that I did not respond to Stu's last comments. I did this out of coursity to him. He had the right to rebut the review, although most incorrect. You did not help matters. But then again you really never have. I guess it's to be expected. Mr.Nasty \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Touche //////////////////////////// = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =