Following today’s story on the error in the final placings at the Glenfiddich Championship the organiser, Mrs Liz Maxwell, has issued the following statement:
‘This year’s Glenfiddich Piping Championship generated a unique situation whereby three pipers tied on merit points for the overall awards. Two of those had been placed 1st in a major element of the Championship viz, the Piobaireachd and March, Strathspey & Reel sections whilst the third piper had been placed 5th and 2nd in these sections respectively. It was considered that, in terms of precedent, the winner of the Piobaireachd competition should take preference in the tie and win the Championship by being placed 1st overall.
‘The second and third overall positions involved a comparison between the merits of a 1st prize against a combination of 5th and 2nd prizes. It was considered that, in balance, the higher placing viz, the 1st prize should attract preference in the tie as this best reflected the level of achievement involved in winning a key element.of the Championship – the March, Strathspey & Reel competition – which, in itself, is a major stand alone win. John Wilson, a Senior Adjudicator, who was Fear an Tighe for the day, was involved in these discussions and fully supported the logic underpinning this decision.[wds id=”6″]
‘In the interim period since the Championship, however, the organisers have been contacted by the 2nd overall prize winner, Willie McCallum, who has intimated that he is aware of some of the conflicting comment on social media regarding his award and he has, consequently, made it clear that this situation is causing him some personal discomfort. As a result, he has magnanimously requested that the organisers review the tie break for 2nd and 3rd overall prize on the basis of a Piobaireachd preference alone which will result in him being now placed 3rd overall as opposed to 2nd place.[wds id=”2″]
‘In recognition of Willie’s request and in line with the standing of this competition, the decision has been reviewed and records will now show Bruce Gandy [pictured top] as 2nd overall in the 2016 Glenfiddich Piping Championship. In conclusion, it should be recognised that there are differing ways of breaking ties in such circumstances. Decisions can be based on Piobaireachd preference, the highest placing on the day or, indeed, the most consistent number of placings in the various elements of the competition. It’s a question of balance. That said, everyone should be assured that the decision on the day in relation to the 2nd and 3rd overall prizes was considered, totally objective and made in good faith in what was a very unique and difficult situation.’
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Willie McCallum is a first class gentleman. And he was the CLEAR winner of the MSR. This change in now way alters the regard with which we all hold him as a competitor. Wow. Just, wow.