The query which delayed publication was regarding leg 2-3 on the Final, where the direct route was blocked by a hedge marked as uncrossable (i.e. forbidden to cross). There were two alternative routes, but some competitors took the direct route and discovered that there was a hole in the hedge, and some of them went through. The adjudication panel was fortunate to include IOF adviser David Rosen whose recommendations were followed. The options were:
1. Do nothing. But then those who cheated (intentionally or not)
benefit.
2. Disqualify those who went through the hedge. But some didn’t realise it
was illegal to go though. The difference between green with black and ordinary
dark green is a subtle one. And it is difficult to identify those who
transgressed.
3. Void the course. It is not a significant enough issue to warrant
that.
4. Remove that leg. The only downside of that is that anyone who made a
mistake on that leg which was not related to the hedge will have that mistake
eliminated. But (apart from the hedge), it was very simple so that
isn't an issue.
Leg 2-3 was therefore excluded from the times of all runners.