Was there a RF Qualification rule change on the countdown?

[tedbell]

Ok. I'm embarrassed to admit I might have missed a rule change. In the thread on "Where to get a Rapid Fire elec trainer" someone pointed to 8.7.6.3 and asked if the 3-2-1 countdown hadn't been changed to the 7 second countdown used in the new finals format. Sure enough that's how the rule seems to read- somehow I completely missed that change. I've been searching ISSF's site and the rest of the web to confirm that this did in fact change. However, while that is how it seems to read in black and white in the rules I can't find anything acknowledging that it's a change. I just wanted to confirm with those more squared away than I am- did they do away with the 3-2-1 countdown for the qualification rounds? Was that a 2013 change?
Thanks,
Ted

8.7.6.3
f) When one (1) minute has expired, the Range Officer will give
the commands:
“ATTENTION”
The red lights must be switched on or if
paper targets are used, they must be turned
to the edge-on position and the athlete must
bring his pistol to the Ready Position.
After a delay of seven (7) seconds (+/- 0.1
second) either the green lights come on, or
the target must turn to face the athlete.

[David Levene]

Yes, it changed on 01/01/2013 (but it's not a "countdown" as such).

The countdown is now as much a thing of the past as the old "Ready" (or more commonly "Uugh") call from the shooter.

[tedbell]

Thanks. That could have been embarrassing down the road. I'm amazed that I missed that change - thank heavens for Target Talk!

Thanks,
Ted