DG, I totally understand what you are saying, and I AGREE. However, when rules aren't enforced, why take 'em seriously?
Phil Hersh article (so take that for what it's worth!) -
"Event referee Jan Hoffmann of Germany told the Tribune he pointed out the elapsed time to the panel. Exceeding 2:40 calls for a .1 deduction in both technical merit and presentation scores, but the rule rarely is invoked at elite level."