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Introduction The Eastern League Sport Kite Association sanctions sport kite competitions primarily along the eastern seaboard of the United States, but potentially anywhere within Regions 1 to 4 of the American Kitefliers Association (AKA). For the current schedule, see the Calendar page. All Eastern League events are AKA-sanctioned events. With the exception of the number of team disciplines that are recognized by the League (see League-Sanctioned Competition Disciplines below), the rules that govern League competitions are the AKA's rules, and the competition year is the same (August 1 to July 31). The official rule books, which are published by the International Rule Book Committee (IRBC), and accompanying AKA Appendix are available from either the AKA or the IRBC. Details about the League's scoring system follow below. For definitions of some of the terms used, consult the rule book. Questions? Contact us.
There are two broad categories of competition: dual-line and multi-line (also known as "quad-line"). Within these categories, competition is divided into three different skill levels. Dual-line competition has all three levels; multi-line competition has just two, as described below. The three skill levels are
Within either dual-line or multi-line classes, fliers must compete at the same level in both individual precision and individual ballet. However, multi-line skill level is independent of one’s dual-line skill level. In addition, team and pair levels are independent of individual flier level. Fliers themselves choose the level at which they wish to begin competing, and anyone of any age may compete in any discipline. There is no qualifying process. However, see the notes below about moving up or down between classes. Disciplines designated “Open” are open to all competitors, regardless of their skill level.
The
rules governing moving up or down between classes, as defined in the
AKA Appendix to the International Sport Kite rule book, are as
follows:
League-Sanctioned Competition Disciplines Mandatory Disciplines Eastern League standings are maintained for the following sport kite disciplines. Individual event organizers may select any or all of these disciplines to offer at their events:
* Disciplines designated now as "Multi-Line" formerly were (and sometimes still may be) called "Quad-Line," so the four multi-line disciplines may also be referred to as EQP, EQB, MQP, and MQB. ** Formerly known as Open Individual Freestyle (OIF). The name was changed by the AKA in the fall of 2005.
Running Different Classes Together Different classes of like disciplines may be run together at the discretion of an event's chief judge/coordinator. For example, Experienced Individual Multi-Line Precision and Masters Individual Multi-Line Precision could be run together as one discipline with the same judging panel. Such joined disciplines are designated as either "Open" or "Combined." An open discipline offers a single set of awards to the entire slate of competitors in that discipline, regardless of their class. A combined discipline, on the other hand, offers a separate set of awards for each class within the discipline. To continue the multi-line precision example, if the discipline were run as Open Individual Multi-Line Precision, three awards would be granted; but if it were run as Combined Individual Multi-Line Precision, then six awards would be given out—three for the Experienced competitors and three for the Masters. For
the purpose of Eastern League standings, the scores from all such joined
disciplines are separated into their individual classes.
A competitor's overall Eastern League score is based on that competitor's performances at all events. You must be an Eastern League member at the time of competition for an event to count toward your standings, and all members of a team or pair must be current members at the time of competition in order for that team or pair to earn Eastern League points. An embroidered jacket is awarded to each competitor who finishes in one of the top three places in a particular discipline at the end of the season, as long as that competitor has
Within each discipline, only the top five scores of each competitor in any given season count toward that competitor's League standing. These requirements apply separately to individual members of pairs and teams. For example, to get a jacket, each member of a qualifying pair or team must meet the requirements of having competed with that pair or team at a minimum of two League-sanctioned competitions.
All disciplines have the same base points, and bonus points are determined by the number of competitors in the discipline. Only the top 10 places receive League points.
BASE POINTS Base points are assigned as follows:
BONUS POINTS FOR INDIVIDUALS Bonus points are determined by the number of competitors. For individual competition, the first-place finisher receives a bonus value equal to the number of competitors in the event, up to a maximum of 20. Each descending place receives a bonus value one less than the next higher place. For example,
for an Experienced Individual Dual-line Ballet (EIB) discipline with 15
competitors, Eastern League points would be awarded as follows:
Note:
BONUS POINTS FOR PAIRS AND TEAMS Because the number of competitors for team and pair disciplines is usually much lower than for individual disciplines, and that number does not vary much from one event to another, the bonus points for teams and pairs are doubled to increase their impact. For example, if a pairs discipline had 5 entries, the first-place winner would receive 10 bonus points (in addition to the 25 first-place base points), second place would get 8 bonus points, and so on. As with individual disciplines, however, the maximum number of bonus points is 20.
Discipline scores are used to compute overall League scores and the League standings. Competitors' League scores consist of their top five point finishes. Competitors must have competed in a particular discipline at a minimum of two Eastern League competitions and must have accumulated at least 50 points in order for their points to count toward final standings in that discipline. For example, consider a flier who competes in Masters Individual Dual-Line Precision at eight events and earns the following League points:
The flier's League score for the season would be 132 (35 + 30 + 25 + 22 + 20). This score would be compared to the scores of all other MIP competitors to generate League standings.
Tiebreakers If ties exist in League scores at the end of the season, the winner is determined by the following calculations, performed in the order shown. The first calculation to break the tie determines the winner.
Substitutes Substitutes on pairs or teams are subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to registered pair and team members regarding eligibility for League awards. For example, to be eligible for a jacket, a substitute must have flown with a particular pair or team at a minimum of two competitions. In addition, if a pair or team flies at any competition with a substitute who is not an Eastern League member, the points from that event will not be included in the pair or team's Eastern League standings.
At the end of each competition season, the League awards an embroidered jacket to each competitor who has finished in one of the top three places in at least one discipline over the course of the season, provided that the following two additional requirements have been met for any discipline in question:
Two flier representatives, elected each December by the general membership, serve on the Eastern League Board, which collectively makes all major decisions affecting the League. Any member of the League who is in good standing and does not already serve on the Board as an event organizer or the commissioner may (1) vote in the flier rep election and/or (2) be elected as a flier representative. League-sanctioned event organizers and the commissioner, who already have a vote on the Board, are not eligible to vote in flier rep elections. Flier rep positions extend for one calendar year; for example, a flier rep elected in December 2004 will serve from January through December 2005. There is no limit to the number of terms a flier rep may serve on the Board. <last
updated January 15, 2006>
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