The International Swimming Federation FINA implements SlomoTv systems for video-reference

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

Slomo.tv has supplied a system of Video assistance for arbitration in the 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 reference solutions, including specialized servers and cameras, and has extensive experience in video referencing in 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 the Slomo 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 (1920×1080 50p) and intuitive, easy-to-install cameras.

The FINA Water Polo Technical Committee chose Slomo's VideoReferee-SR system with mini vR-Cam cameras. The compact 1U system meets the League's technical requirements to support eight 3G channels, and also allows simultaneous search and playback of 4 channels at various speeds. To suppress reflections from water light and improve image quality, the cameras include polarization filters.

The video-reference system was previously tested in real competition environments at the 2019 FINA Men's Water Polo World League Super Final tournament in Belgrade. As part of the tests, 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 customized solution

"Water polo is an exciting and dynamic sport that has many fans around the world watching it. The implementation of a customized video-reference solution that takes into account all the peculiarities of water polo will enhance this Olympic sport and make it even more attractive," he says Andrey Kryukov, FINA Water Polo Liaison.

Positive feedback from referees on the use of the system led to the first large-scale use of the video reference system at the 18th FINA World Championships in 2019 in Gwangju, Republic of Korea. For two and a half weeks, the VideoReferee-SR was used in eight men's and women's water polo matches each day.

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

"The 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, rapid preparation of the video material for viewing and proper functioning of the system and cameras. Throughout the match, the video referee, together with the operator, works with the system and supervises all the action of the game. 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 analyse an incident with the Video Referee systems, which completely satisfies the referees," he says Alexander Kalinin, technical specialist at SlomoTv.

This system has become an integral part not only of competitions between the main national teams, but also between the lower categories. VideoReferee-SR has also been used at the 2019 FINA Women's Junior Water Polo World Championships (Funchal, Madeira) and the 2019 FINA Men's Junior Water Polo World Championships (Kuwait).

Other articles about SlomoTv