Gruber should have been DQ'd

he was in front...it's not the fuqing ballet you pussy

There was a thread about this a few days ago as applied to finishes on the track. Some people took the "anything goes" position and "realist" evidently is in that camp. Myself, I agree that it should be a DQ when it's this extreme, but it would be a very tough call to make.

The last pic---------------is he SKING!!!!!

I think every call is different. If he did what he did at the Po Dunk meet in perfect conditions, give him the DQ. With a World XC position on the line in conditions where running a straight line in slush is difficult at best, the non-call is the only call.

any more pics of this intense meet?

It looks like one of the clearest cases for a DQ that I have seen.

You simply can't cut in front of a competitor at any point especially at the finish. Gutsy race but poor sportsmanship.

I disagree. I stick with my opinion above. Also, it is difficult to judge anything from a few still pictures. For all we know Gruber ran a straight line and the guys tangled. I know it doesn't appear that way, but I've seen deceiving pictures before. Again, my opinion is 'don't DQ a guy off of a 6 member team for sliding and thrashing for the win.'

i'm not so sure if its so clear cut. the photos tell a story, but a video probably tells a different one.

watson noted in the post-race comments that both he and gruber stumbled and got tangled up. he didn't seem that upset about it, so i'm guessing no appeal was filed.

post race comments:

http://www.usatf.org/news/showRelease.asp?article=/news/releases/2004-02-07-3.xml

i like webb's comments that he should've worn longer spikes!!!

Anyone else notice how often Luke Watson draws contact during races? Lots of people seem to fall/get bumped when running near him. He's a real nice guy, just not the most courteous when out on the track.

Big Easter wrote:

Anyone else notice how often Luke Watson draws contact during races? Lots of people seem to fall/get bumped when running near him. He's a real nice guy, just not the most courteous when out on the track.

Must be the only reason he's ever done well.

toro wrote:

It looks like one of the clearest cases for a DQ that I have seen.

You simply can't cut in front of a competitor at any point especially at the finish. Gutsy race but poor sportsmanship.

Quite easy to tell from a headon shot.

Gruber was ahead. It was icy and slippery. Watson doesn't seem to have bitched. Let it go

In light of the fact that Watson didn't complain and Gruber easily earned the spot on a six man team a DQ isn't necessary. I also realize that still pictures can be deceiving. Even video can be deceiving, like the 96 fall of El G. But it still looks like a clear case for a DQ if someone wished to make a case.

What does Gruber mean by "I had to sell out to win the race"? Is he referencing the bump at the end?

Definitely DQ.

If you were at the race you would have seen that the course narrowed at the finish moving to the right so that their was room for lapped runners to keep going on the left. It was a 2-K look course. Gruber had to go right like he did or he wouldn't have made it through the chute. The pictures don't show the suroundings. I was standing right there. He did not make as drastic a move as the pictures show. You don't see all the frames in a picture. The pictures make it look like he just jumped over. He did not. It was gradual. Gruber won fair and square and Watson sat with Gruber that night at the awards ceremony. You guys are making something out of nothing.

I was there also and I have to agree with the Saladbar here.

No way he shid hav been disq as this is what makes running such a great sport.Once there is no shots to the face or nuts.He did it to win and respect to him.

Anyway they will get there ass kicked in worlds...........

no one got lapped, it was a 2lap race.