Events How the IBA selects wildcards

In: Events by doclach 0 Comments Tue 10th May '11

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Courtesy http://ibaworldtour.com/

If you have ever been wondering about how the IBA selects wildcards for events then read on...

IBA have a "Wildcard Committee" that nominates 10 potential applicants each GSS event. Votes are tallied and issued according to this ranking system.

Anyone can apply for a wildcard position but of course there are some criteria that will apply.

At each IBA WMT event 4 Wildcard positions are allocated. Ideally 2 spots are for sponsor's wildcards and 2 spots are for event wildcards (International & local).

In GSS events 1 main event wildcard is issued by IBA and the promoter also issues 1 main event wildcard. The promoter then, in addition, has 2 trials wildcards to issue making a total of 4 wildcards across the main event and trials.

Someone that lives in the country of the event or has a history with the break defines a local. An International is defined by not being a citizen of the country where the event is held.

A Wildcard rider may gain selection for an event on the basis that they are:

-The defending champion of that event or a past champion of the event;
-A currently unrated past IBA International champion,
-A currently unrated IBA Regional Tour Champion from the region holding the event;
-Currently unrated riders of high renown from the break or region in which the event is held;
-Or a rider who gains an exemption from bodyboarding in the preliminary rounds due to their affiliation with the major sponsor/s of the event (i.e., major sponsor's team riders), as selected by that sponsor.
-A rider that will enhance the quality of the event due to their profile or skills
-A maximum of 2 such wildcards are allowed at any event and conditions in relation to sponsor's wildcards will be set out in the IBA licence agreement for the event.

The defending champion (not past) of an event if not seeded into the main event must receive a Wild-Card invitation, whether the event was IBA sanctioned the previous year or not.

For the Arica Chilean Challenge Brazilian Jose' Octavio has received the IBA Wildcard into the main event.

Australian's Mitch Rawlins and Tom Rigby are the second and third choices.

When a Top 24 rider fails to attend a GSS event the first extra spots will be allocated to the trials. In the case of Chile, Yeray Martinez will not be attending so his spot will be issued to an extra trials rider making 7 in total going through to the main event.

If another Top 24 withdraws then his spot will go to the next available wildcard (Mitch Rawlins) then on alternating between trials and wildcards.

Wildcards that are placed in the main event MUST progress to the round of 16 to gain points.

So there you have it, IBA Wildcards explained.

If you have any further enquiries please contact messages@ibaworldtour.com