The International Swimming Federation FINA implements SlomoTv systems for video reference

The cooperation between FINA and SlomoTv results in the implementation of video referencing in water polo using the VideoReferee-SR system in international competitions.

Slomo.tv has provided a system of video assistance for arbitration in water polo competitions organized by the International Swimming Federation (FINA).

After testing several solutions, SlomoTv was selected as the preferred technology provider. The company markets complete video referencing solutions, including specialist servers and cameras, and has extensive experience in video referencing across a number of different sports.

The result of the long-term cooperation between FINA and SlomoTv is the creation of a complete solution for water polo by adapting Slomo's VideoReferee-SR system and developing vR-Cam mini cameras specialized for use in water sports.

Igor Vitiorets, technical director of SlomoTv, highlights that the company “actively works with international leagues and federations to meet the needs of all sports and provide affordable systems in response to growing demand.”

According to the requirements of the FINA Water Polo Technical Committee, the hardware component of the video-reference system must include a compact server capable of supporting eight channels of incoming video with 3G resolution (1920x1080 50p) and intuitive and easy-to-install cameras.

El Comité Técnico de Waterpolo de la FINA eligió el sistema de VideoReferee-SR de Slomo con cámaras mini vR-Cam. El sistema compacto 1U cumple con los requisitos técnicos de la Liga para soportar ocho canales 3G, y además permite la búsqueda y reproducción simultánea de 4 canales a varias velocidades. Para suprimir los reflejos de la luz del agua y mejorar la calidad de la imagen, las cámaras incluyen filtros de polarización.

The video-referencing system was previously tested in real competition environments at the FINA Men's Water Polo World League Super Final 2019 tournament in Belgrade. As part of the testing, SlomoTv specialists provided training. In a short period of time, the referees gained enough theoretical and practical experience to work the system in matches with a minimum of support.

A personalized solution

“El waterpolo es un deporte emocionante y dinámico que tiene muchos aficionados en todo el mundo viéndolo. La implementación de una solución de video-referencia personalizada que tenga en cuenta todas las peculiaridades del waterpolo mejorará este deporte olímpico y lo hará aún más atractivo”, afirma Andrey Kryukov, Enlace de Waterpolo de la FINA.

Los comentarios positivos de los árbitros sobre el uso del sistema condujeron a la primera utilización a gran escala del sistema de videorreferencia en los 18º Campeonatos Mundiales de la FINA de 2019 en Gwangju (República de Corea). Durante dos semanas y media, se utilizó el VideoReferee-SR en ocho partidos de waterpolo masculinos y femeninos cada día.

Since the size of the pools for men's and women's water polo matches are different, it is necessary to relocate the cameras and configure the server quickly. The cameras' compact size and ease of installation was a big plus.

"Preliminary tests allowed us to develop the basic principles of the video referee workflow for water polo: well-established communication between the video referee and the on-board referee, quick preparation of the video material for viewing and smooth operation of the system and cameras. Throughout the match, the video referee, together with the operator, works with the system and monitors the entire game action. At the request of the on-board referee, he prepares the video material for viewing in the shortest possible time. On average, it takes between 3 and 10 seconds to prepare and analyze an incident with VideoReferee systems, which completely satisfies the referees,” he comments. Alexander Kalinin, especialista técnico de SlomoTv.

Este sistema se ha convertido en una parte integral no sólo de las competiciones entre los principales equipos nacionales, sino también entre las categorías inferiores. VideoReferee-SR se ha empleando también en los Campeonatos Mundiales Junior de Waterpolo Femenino de la FINA de 2019 (Funchal, Madeira) y en los Campeonatos Mundiales Junior de Waterpolo Masculino de la FINA de 2019 (Kuwait).