The 3rd Annual North American Wife Carrying Championships took place on Oct. 12 at Sunday River Ski Resort. The event was timed using a TDC8000 as the primary timer connected to custom software by Split Second Timimng. A Tag Heuer 520 was used for back-up. 2 HL2-33s were used at the start and 2 at the finish to garuntee precision timing. Custom built GAZ4 type displays were used for spectators to show Bib and Time.

Media coverage for the event has included local network television in Maine, the Today Show on NBC this morning (10/14) as well as otehr televusion news coverage. CBS plans to air a feature on the event duinrg the Early Show on Nov. 1. The event has extensive media coverage in Maine, and nationwide (AP).

Results can be viewed at www.allsportsevents.com
Jordan

This event was shown on CNN Headline news last night. Regrettably there was no interview with the timing staff. I really liked the expression on the one womans face as her "husband" dragged her over a horizontal log as she hung upside down from his shoulders.

As the Wife Carry gets more popular and competitive, with more prize money on the line, the organizers of this event are considering timing rules to legitimize the results.

For example, should wireless timing be allowed for wife carrying? What specifications are necessary for the timers, and photocells? (should timing to the 1/1000 of a second be required)? With the close finish of the finals this year, should a photo finish system be required?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.



Seriously, why does such a stupid event get covered nationally, yet ski racing gets nothing?

Jordan,
I think that a primary system with hand timing would be sufficient. The hand timing is just in case one of those husbands stumbles into a finish sensor.

Wireless, you bet!

Did you keep track of average speed in both meters per second and mph? Is there an official surveyor for length measurements of the course and any safety homoligation considerations?
JK

Jim,
I hope you weren't serious; I was only kidding.
Jordan

[This message was edited by Jordan on October 15, 2002 at 11:31 PM.]

totally kidding.
jk

We would be using wireless timing for that event in Canada... with 4 printers that is!