Welcome to the US Lightweight Indoor Rowing National Championships!

We are excited to offer this opportunity for US lightweight rowers (and other people looking for fun regatta) to race.  

This regatta is being organized and hosted in a very short time period by a dedicated team of one person to fill an unmet need in the rowing community.  We ask for your patience for any hiccups that occur along the way.  This event is not affiliated with USRowing.

This regatta will take place virtually and competitors are responsible for their own facilities and equipment.  Competitors will follow all local regulations and safety procedures (including those related to COVID-19).  

There are two options to compete in this regatta: asynchronous and live.  The live portion will take place on March 13, 2021.  The asynchronous portion will take place March 6 - 14, 2021.  Competitors may compete in both options and may enter as many events as they are eligible for.  

All competitors are responsible for the information included in this packet.

Gear is available at:

https://www.bonfire.com/usltwtirnc/

You’ll want to be one of the cool kids sporting this gear when we race in person!

Schedule

The schedule is posted at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aADX8qeu1bgXedRE7Q0wQuVClxMSht5dE6BptGmcvl4/edit?

Registration:

• Entries will be submitted on RegattaCentral at: https://www.regattacentral.com/regatta/?job_id=7215&org_id=0
• Payment is due in RegattaCentral at the time of entry.  
• Competitors must complete the waiver and line-ups in RegattaCentral prior to the entry deadline.  
• No refunds will be given.  This includes withdrawals or if a competitor is unable to make their race time, or failure to connect via the Time-Team platform.
• International competitors are welcome to participate in this event
• When entering an asynchronous event, competitors will have the option to choose one of the following categories during registration:

• Concept2, RP3, WaterRower, Hydrow, NordicTrack, Other

• When entering an adaptive event, competitors will have the option to choose one of the following categories:

• PR1, PR2, PR3(VI), PR3(ID), PR3(DS), PR3(AK), PR3(SA), PR3(PD), PR3(GD), PR3(FES), PR3 (FES-AR), PR3(RA)

• By registering for an event, all competitors agree to abide by the Race Committee’s decisions as final.
• This event is not affiliated with USRowing and USRowing membership is not required.

Entry Deadlines:

• Live events

• Early (discounted) registration runs from January 11 - 17, 2021
• Regular registration runs from January 18 - March 8, 2021

• Asynchronous events

• Early (discounted) registration runs from January 11 - 17, 2021
• Regular registration runs from January 18 - March 14, 2021

Entry Fees are as follows:

Classifications

• Weight Classes:

• Lightweight: Men less than or equal to 165 lbs; Women less than or equal to 135 lbs
• Flyweight: Men less than or equal to 140 lbs; Women less than or equal to 115 lbs
• Not quite a lightweight, but close: Men between 165 lbs and 175 lbs; Women between 135 lbs and 145 lbs
• Former lightweight: Raced as a lightweight at some point in your rowing career, but those days are behind you
• Never been a lightweight: Just happy to compete at this event and have no desire to stand on any kind of scale.  (At other regattas, this category is referred to as “heavyweight” or “open weight.”)  

• Age Categories:

• Open: A competitor of any age may compete in the open category.
• U15: A competitor may compete in the U15 category until December 31 of the year of their 14th birthday.
• U17: A competitor may compete in the U17 category until December 31 of the year of their 16th birthday.
• U19: A competitor may compete in the U19 category until December 31 of the year of their 18th birthday.
• U23: A Competitor may compete in the U23 category until December 31 of the year of his or her 22nd birthday.
• Master: A Master is a Competitor who has attained, or will attain, the age of 21 during the current calendar year. A Competitor's age is determined as of December 31 of the current calendar year, rounded down to the nearest whole number. A Competitor thus becomes a Master on January 1 of the year of his or her 21st birthday.

• Masters Categories: (AA) 21 to 26 years; (A) 27 to 35 years; (B) 36 to 42 years; (C) 43 to 49 years; (D) 50 to 54 years; (E) 55 to 59 years; (F) 60 to 64 years; (G) 65 to 69 years; (H) 70 to 74 years; (I) 75 to 79 years; (J) 80 to 84 years; (K) 85 and over; 49 and under; 50 and over
• For this regatta, masters must row in their designated age category (no rowing up or down).  Masters may row in open or U23 categories, if they are eligible.
• For team events, the category is determined by the average age of the competitors in each entry.
• No time handicaps will be applied.

• Adaptive Classifications

• All Rowers racing in Adaptive Rowing Races shall be classified before competition, either by self-classification or by a USA or FISA Classification Panel. Self-classification is permitted in all events.
• Rowers may compete in a more functional sport class than their assigned sport class but not in a less functional sport class.
• PR1 (Arms and Shoulders): This category is for rowers who have minimal to no trunk function (i.e. shoulder function only). A PR1 class rower is able to apply force predominantly using the arms and/or shoulders. These athletes will likely also have poor sitting balance. In addition, these athletes are not able to use the sliding seat to transfer their power to the ergometer because of significantly weakened function or mobility of the lower limbs. Eligible rowers may typically have but are not limited to Cerebral Palsy – affecting both leg and trunk function, or neurological impairment with a complete lesion at T12 level or an incomplete lesion at T10 level.
• PR2 (Trunk and Arms): This category is for rowers who have functional use of the trunk and who are not able to use the sliding seat to transfer their power to the ergometer because of significantly weakened function or mobility of the lower limbs. Examples for this class would be bilateral around knee amputation, or significantly impaired quadriceps, or neurological impairment equivalent to a complete lesion at L3 level, or an incomplete lesion at L1.
• PR3 (VI) (Leg Trunk and Arms—Blind or Visually Impaired): This category is for rowers who have functional use of their leg(s),trunk and arm(s) for rowing and who can utilize the sliding seat. In addition, these athletes have permanently impaired vision. These athletes have reduced or no vision. Maximum vision of 10% of normal in best eye with best correction from visual acuity above 02/60 up to visual acuity of 06/60 and or field of vision between 5% and 20%.
• PR3 (ID) (Leg Trunk and Arms—Intellectually Disabled): This category is for rowers who have functional use of their leg(s), trunk and arm(s) for rowing and who can utilize the sliding seat. These athletes have tested 75% or less for intellectual quotient.
• PR3 (DS) (Leg Trunk and Arms—Down Syndrome): This category is for rowers meeting the eligibility/classification requirements set by Virtus (formerly INAS), or (ii-2) and managed domestically by Athletes Without Limits; who has a formal diagnosis of Trisomy 21 Down syndrome, and; a statement that the rower is clear of symptomatic Atlantoaxial Instability (ASSI).
• PR3 (AK) (Leg Trunk and Arms—Single Leg, Above the Knee Amputee): This category is for rowers who have functional use of one leg, their trunk and arm(s) and can utilize the sliding seat. LTA–AK rowers must row without the use of a prosthetic on a standard sliding erg seat. If they prefer to use their prosthetic they should enter the PR3 (PD) sport category.
• PR3 (SA) (Leg Trunk and Arms—Single Arm): This category is for PR3 rowers only able to row with a single arm connection to the ergometer handle. These athletes have similar disabilities to the LTA–PD sport category, however, they also have a permanent condition that allows for only one arm, partial or complete, with or without use of a prosthetic device on that same single arm, to have connection with a standard or modified ergometer handle. These athletes may have an amputation or loss of function to one arm, allowing them to pull the erg handle with the remaining partial or fully functional arm.
• PR3 (PD) (Leg Trunk and Arms—Physically Disabled): This category is for rowers who have functional use of their leg(s), trunk and arm(s) for rowing and who can utilize the sliding seat. Eligible rowers in this sport category include single leg below the knee amputees, arm and hand amputees where both upper limbs have connection to the erg handle via adaptations), up to three missing fingers on one hand, neurological impairment equivalent to incomplete S1 spinal cord injury, Cerebral Palsy, trans metatarsal amputation of the foot.
• PR3 (GD) (Leg Trunk and Arms—Genetic Dwarfism): This category is for rowers who have a genetic dwarfism condition, as established by the International Dwarf Sports Federation (“IDSF”). Examples of this category would be athletes with achondroplasia, hypochondroplasia, pseudoachondroplasia, SED, Kneist, metatropic dysplasia. Current IDSF criteria: Height for disproportionate dysplasia shall not exceed 5 feet 2 inches for males (157.5 cm), female maximum height shall not exceed 5 foot (152.4 cm). Height for a proportionate dysplasia shall not exceed 5 foot (152.4 cm) for males, female maximum height shall not exceed 4 foot 10 inches (147.3 cm).
• PR3 (FES) (Functional Electrical Stimulation): FES technology allows paraplegic athletes to stimulate paralyzed leg muscles. Rowers control their legs by pressing a button on the rowing machine handle, which then transmits electrical impulses through electrodes to the nerves controlling their leg muscles.
• PR3 (FES-AR) (Functional Electrical Stimulation with Assisted Return): FES technology allows paraplegic athletes to stimulate paralyzed leg muscles. Rowers control their legs by pressing a button on the rowing machine handle, which then transmits electrical impulses through electrodes to the nerves controlling their leg muscles. In the assisted return category, the athletes receive help from a third-party in returning to the catch position.
• PR3 (RA) (Requires Accommodation): This category is reserved for sport classes that do not fall into the above categories and may include athletes with a neurodiverse impairment.

• Boat Classes

• 1x: 2000m.  Single individual racing 2000m
• 2x: 1000m per person. 

• Live racing: Two rowers racing to complete 2000m total.  Each of the two rowers will row approximately 1000m.  Depending on the relative speed of the rowers, one rower may row more than 1000m and the other may row fewer. If a team member loses connection, the additional meters will have to be rowed by the other team member.
• Asynchronous racing: Each rower will race exactly 1000m and submit their results in RegattaCentral

• 4x:  500m per person. 

• Live Racing: Four rowers racing to complete 2000m total.  Each of the four rowers will row approximately 500m.  Depending on the relative speed of the rowers, some rowers may row more than 500m and some may row fewer. If a team member loses connection, the additional meters will have to be rowed by the other team members.
• Asynchronous racing: Each rower will race exactly 500m and submit their results in RegattaCentral

• Mixed boats: A mixed 2x will include one male and one female rower.  A mixed 4x will include two male and two female rowers.

The following events are offered at this regatta.  The event list is the same for the asynchronous and live portions of the regatta.  The same categories are available for adaptive athletes.  

Competitors may set the damper to individual preferences prior to the start of the race, but the damper may not be adjusted during the race.

Live Racing

Live racing will take place via the Time Team platform on March 13, 2021, starting no earlier than 10:00 Eastern Time.  The events will be raced in the order listed on RegattaCentral.  The schedule will be announced after entries close.  Depending on entries, races may combine events, but awards and results will still be based on individual categories.  

This document provides a step-by-step plan to connect the erg, a device/computer with internet access, and the Time-Team software. After going through these steps, you will be able to connect your Concept2 erg to your computer and race virtually against your competitors. Athletes should be on their competition erg at least 30 minutes prior to the start of their race. All events will be run on time and will not wait for any athlete that is having trouble to connect. Competitors are required to read the full Time-Team Manual on how to connect and use the platform on race day.

Time-Team - Homerace manual - Google Docs

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xESuIa6TyPy25QcsUPXddksckuJkhJxXrkyXCoaMD2Y/edit#

In addition, the British Indoor Rowing Championships put together the following video to walk through the steps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru2Gr2rByeM&ab_channel=BritishRowing

If your rowing machine loses connection with the server after you have started racing, your monitor will tell you to “Keep Rowing”. Keep rowing while you see this message! Complete your race and the system will send your data as soon as the internet connection is restored. If Time-Team is unable to process your results automatically, email your results (including a photo with the verification code) to usltwtirnc@gmail.com.

Equipment for live racing

• Competitors must provide and use the following equipment to compete:

• Concept 2 rower (any model) with PM3, PM4, or PM5 performance monitor (upgraded to current firmware), connected via USB-A cable to a PC, MacBook, or Chromebook with stable internet (wired preferred) in order to access the Time-Team platform.
• USB A to B cable

• Example of cable (sometimes called a printer cable): https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-USB-2-0-Cable-Male/dp/B00NH11KIK

• Slides or any other additional equipment are not permitted.  
• For a full list of needed equipment, please visit the Time Team manual:

• Time-Team - Homerace manual - Google Docs

• Prior to the regatta, you can test your connection/setup at: https://master.regatta-systems.com/homerace

Awards for live racing for US Competitors

Awards will be presented for the winner of each event in the live portion of the regatta.  The fastest US entrant in each category will be designated as National Champion and receive a $5 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card, personalized with the race logo, the winner’s name, event, and winning time.  At the time of registration, each competitor must provide an address in order to receive shipment of any awards won.

Awards for live racing for International Competitors

International competitors are welcome and encouraged to participate in this regatta!  If the winner of an event is not from the United States, that entry will receive a personalized $5 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card with the phrase “Winner” instead of “National Champion.”  Winning international competitors will be asked to pay international postage to ship their gift cards.  (Patience is also requested, as that process will take significantly longer.)  

Sample of award:

Results will be posted on RegattaCentral and https://time-team.nl/en/info/results

Weigh-in procedures for live racing:

• Competitors competing in Lightweight, Flyweight, and Not a lightweight, but close categories are required to weigh in.  These are the “weight category” events.
• Competitors in the Former lightweight and Never been a lightweight categories are not required to weigh in.  
• Competitors in a weight category event are required to weigh in wearing racing clothes between two hours and one hour before the scheduled start of their event.  (Shoes are not required.)  
• If racing multiple events, competitors are only required to weigh in prior to their first weight class event.  
• Confirmation and Documentation of weigh-in must be submitted via the google form on https://usltwtirnc.com/weigh-in-submission/ at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled race time.  

• Competitors will include their weight, the time of weigh in (in the Eastern time zone), name of the competitor, event number, and event name.  

• U23, Open, and Masters competitors in weight category events must include photo evidence of the weigh-in

• Photo evidence needs to show the competitor on a digital scale in racing clothes with the reading visible along with a date and time (this could be by including the home screen of a phone showing the date and time).  If necessary, multiple photos per athlete are permitted.
• Sample set of photos

• U15, U17, and U19 competitors will not submit photo evidence of weigh-in, but are still required to complete the google form at https://usltwtirnc.com/weigh-in-submission/ to confirm that competitors weighed in wearing racing clothes between two hours and one hours before the scheduled start of their event.  This form must be completed at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled race time.  
• For team events (2x and 4x), all weigh-in confirmation and documentation shall be submitted together.  
• If racing multiple weight category events, competitors will only need to weigh in once, but need to complete the confirmation and documentation google form for each event.  This can be completed any time between the initial weigh in and 30 minutes before each event.  
• If the second, third, fourth, or fifth (or sixth?) event for a competitor is a team event, the information from the initial weigh in should be included with the team submission.  
• Final race results will not be official until weigh-in submissions for a particular race have been audited and verified.  

• Upon completion of racing, regatta officials will select entries to audit.  The officials will verify the selected competitors correctly followed the weigh-in procedures.  The penalty for not following the weigh-in procedures is exclusion. (The process will be similar to verifying boat weights following an in-person regatta.)  
• It may take a day or two to audit and verify results.  We are a very small team and ask for your patience.  

• It is the responsibility of the competitor to ensure the weigh-in is accomplished safely and per the rules.  
• Competitors are responsible for racing at a weight that is personally safe and healthy.  We recommend consulting a doctor before beginning any weight loss programs and to verify what weight ranges are healthy for each competitor.  

Asynchronous Racing

Asynchronous racing will take place from March 6 - 14, 2021.  Competitors will race on their own equipment, on their own schedules.  The race piece must be completed March 6 - 14, 2021.  (Note: if you are racing in CRASH-Bs, you are welcome to use your time from that event for the asynchronous portion of this regatta.)  

Submitting results for asynchronous racing:

• Log in to regattacentral.com then go to “my entries.”  Choose “submit results.”  Enter your time(s) and submit.  For 2x and 4x team entries, the times of each team member will be submitted.  
• Please take a photo of your screen showing the results of the piece.  The regatta officials reserve the right to request a photo of the results for verification.  

Equipment

• Competitors may compete on any rowing machine that records time and meters.  The categories to choose during registration are: Concept2, RP3, WaterRower, Hydrow, NordicTrack, Other (if you are on a Concept2 with slides, choose “Other”)

Awards for asynchronous racing

No awards will be presented for asynchronous events.

Results will be posted on RegattaCentral.

Weigh-in procedures for asynchronous racing:

• Weigh in for the asynchronous events is on the honor system.  No documentation is required.  
• Competitors competing in Lightweight, Flyweight, and Not a lightweight, but close categories are required to weigh in.  These are the “weight category” events.
• Competitors in the Former lightweight and Never been a lightweight categories are not required to weigh in.  
• Competitors in a weight category event are required to weigh in wearing racing clothes between two hours and one hour before they start their race piece.  (Shoes are not required.)  
• If racing multiple events, competitors are only required to weigh in prior to their first weight class event.  
• It is the responsibility of the competitor to ensure the weigh-in is accomplished safely and per the rules.  
• Competitors are responsible for racing at a weight that is personally safe and healthy.  We recommend consulting a doctor before beginning any weight loss programs and to verify what weight ranges are healthy for each competitor.