Two rule changes seemed like they would have a major effect on the competition. For the first time at a WBC, competitors will be allowed to set the judges’ table during their preparation time instead of during their performance time.
The second rule change is in the way the judging will work. Instead of the judges interrupting the flow of the competition (ducking behind the curtain to calibrate and discuss competitors then coming back out and moving on to the next competitor) there will be five flights of judges. The first flight will judge the first competitor, the second flight the second, then the same for the third, forth and fifth, and finally when competitor six comes on the first flight of judges will be back to judge them. This really ought to help the competition stay on schedule.