Athens-to-Atlanta 2002: 87 Mile Finish - Men / Overall

Tuesday, October 8, 2002: Athens-to-Atlanta had a disputed finish for the top two placements in the 87 Mile Finish. Results were withheld pending review. Impartial officials reviewed videotape evidence of the finish on the camcorders' LCDs, resulting in a call of single, balancing fouls on the part of both skaters, Mr. Mauro Guenci/212 (Verducci, Italy) and Mr. Eddy Matzger/87 (TwinCam / Salomon / Explore) - and - with a neutral impact on the finish order. Mr. Matzger filed a formal protest, claiming non-incidental offensive contact. Both skaters agreed to a mediated declaration of a Tie for First Place for the Award Ceremony.

Organizers and a Master Judge of the USA Roller Sports (USARS), the national governing body for roller sports in the United States, reviewed the video tape evidence at great length on a thirty-inch monitor: not less than 100-man hours of review were performed in the review process. Video of the finish will be made available on this site. Upon careful review, it has been determined that:

1. Immediately prior to entering the final turn before the Finish Line, Mr. Guenci fully extended both his body and his left arm forward with intent. He grasped Mr. Matzger by the jersey, exerting a restraining force on Mr. Matzger's inertia.
2. Thereafter, Mr. Guenci extented his left arm forward and to the left, and placed his hand against Mr. Matzger's right hip, visibly forcing Mr. Matzger's hips to the left by several inches. At this time, Mr. Matzger can be seen to be "drifting" on his wheels significantly to the left.

As a result of these two (2) Non-Incidental Offensive Contacts, the following has been decided:

Mr. Guenci is Declassified one position at the 87 Mile Finish Line of the Athens-to-Atlanta Road Skate. This ruling negates the Tie, and results in the following finish order:

• Place One: Eddy Matzger #87 (Twincam/Salomon/Explore) Time: 4:22:56
• Place Two: Mauro Guenci #212 (Verducci National) Time: 4:22:56

These placement results are both official and final.

Athens-to-Atlanta is conducted as a friendly road skate event held with many highly competitive participants, consequently, a certain amount of incidental contact may occur on the course and at the Finish Lines - however, it is imperative to the spirit and intent of sporting endeavors to require principled behavior on the part of the athletes. Additionally, we appreciate your patience with this process: it is equally imperative that judges and event officials be allowed the time to complete an impartial and dispassionate review process.

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