FINA World Masters Championships
Avery Aquatic Center
Photo: Rick Connell, CTS
With more than 7,200 athletes and 75 countries represented, the XI Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) World Masters Championships were held at Stanford University August 4-17. Colorado Time Systems (CTS) had the opportunity to showcase their equipment to another international audience.
FINA regulates the international aquatic sports of swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming, and open water swimming. The FINA World Championship event – held every two years – is one of the largest international competitions.
Crowd
Photo: Rick Connell, CTS
Originally CTS was asked to provide some LED single line scoreboards for this event located at the Avery Stadium Pool, the Maas Diving Center, the Belardi Pool and the Baker Pool on the Stanford University campus. As planning progressed, organizers made the decision that all components should be provded by CTS in place of the existing equipment.
For the past three years, United States Aquatic Sports, United States Masters Swimming and the local organizing committee have been working together to host this event.
Swimming Start
Photo: Rick Connell, CTS
International Visibility
FINA World Masters Championships have not been held in the U.S. since 1992, when it made a stop in Indianapolis, Indiana. Over the past decade the FINA World Masters events have been held in New Zealand, Germany, Morocco, England and Italy.
Rick Connell, the western regional sales manager for CTS, has been working closely with the organizers of this FINA event. "We feel honored to be involved in this competition," Connell said. "When you live and breathe it, it's just something we're proud to be a part of."
Water Polo
Photo: Rick Connell, CTS
In addition, Connell stated that the international visibility bolsters CTS' reputation. However, many people already know that the CTS equipment is fundamental to competitive events worldwide.
Fan Base
The CTS equipment is already a favorite for Ed Kaminski, a long-time volunteer with United States Synchronized Swimming and coordinator for the sound and electronic scoring for U.S. national competitions, as well as the synchronized swimming portion of the XI FINA World Masters Championships. Kaminski also serves as a technical advisor to USSS's Event Management Committee.
Women's Swimming
Photo: Rick Connell, CTS
Regarding the CTS equipment, Kaminski said "It's so easy to run and easy to show volunteers how to run it. Using CTS' equipment has helped us a great deal … it speeds up the meet."
Larry Rice, an independent swim meet coordinator, feels the same way about CTS. "They're great to work with, and very, very reliable," Rice said. He has worked with CTS equipment since 1984. "[CTS] has really stepped up to the plate for this competition," Rice added. "They've been very, very supportive to making this competition happen."
Contact the CTS experts at (970) 667-1000 ext 250 or visit www.coloradotime.com. |
