Seedy Paddler wrote:We had a problem in that following promotion you need to wait until the Bib officers have updated the database and it has been re-uploaded. Hence it would be a Div 1 entry for a Prem and so PU and not priority, we sent mail entry and emailed organiser but mail entry arrived after the priority date and was refused as event was filled with paddle ups and hence regarded as late and a full event.
I think there are multiple factors here to do with the whole process around post-Promotion Entries. The problem you are describing is not inherent in online entries alone as it probably started with the concept of PU and priority entry. I do sympathise though and it doesn't mean that we shouldn't use online-entries as a driver for change.
Seedy Paddler wrote:We had a problem in that following promotion you need to wait until the Bib officers have updated the database and it has been re-uploaded.
The uploading happens within a couple of hours of bib officers updating the ranking database, so I don't think that hold-up is significant, but recognise that the requirement for manual input from the bib officers (they after all human volunteers who have their own life to lead) does cause a delay. This didn't really cause an issue prior to online entries, but does now.
Seedy Paddler wrote:The email and entry were sent on the Thursday, priority ended the Friday the card and cheque arrived Tuesday/Wednesday and the database updated on the Thursday - when we were able to enter remaining prem races..
Playing devil's advocate
Why not send off the postal entry on the Monday immediately after promotion rather than delaying until Thursday? (I'm guessing that you were expecting to be able to enter online and were caught out be the delay
Seedy Paddler wrote:Can the system be set-up to select NP, with manual entry of paddler details so an entry may be processed and then updated once database update is available?.
I'm reluctant to go down this route for a number of reasons:
- It is open to misuse (eg paddlers expecting promotion could enter before promotion is actually achieved; paddlers wanting to race in a division could just enter even if they are not ranked)
- Not having the correct bib numbers can cause all sorts of issues further down the line. When an postal entry is entered by the organiser, they know that they will need to check the bib number etc. For online entries the organisers pretty much just leave the system to deal with it.
- Knowing that a paddler is ranked does give some security that they have a BC registration and have signed the risk statement - allowing paddlers to enter without a ranking could leave us open to all sorts of legalities if/when something went wrong.
However, looking at the wider process around promotion.......
Nick Penfold/Duncan Berriman - If either of you are reading in you might have some thoughts here. Happy to take off line if you wish...
Could we reverse the process so that the ranking database recognises the promotion and allocates the bib number systematically in all promotitions from div 3 and up (Div 4 to 3 promotions are a different case). The bib offices would then use the ranking database to allocate the correct bib.
If it was possible to do this - and I have no idea whether the current set up would allow it - then as soon as results were uploaded the bib would be allocated and the rest would fall into place. To get promoted from div 3 the paddler would have to have previously signed the risk statement and provided membership details in the same season.
Kit Washer, Entry Clerk, Chauffeur, Reluctant Organiser, Online Entry Advocate .....
Anything I post under this user is my personal opinion; I am not posting as a member of the Slalom Committee!