So now we are "adrenaline junkies". Give me a break. I like to race,
fly fast, fly far, and when it's safe, fly low. Some people like to
race cars, or ski on glaciers, or whatever. No-one makes them do it at
gunpoint. But why in soaring do some pilots feel compelled to force
other pilots to meet their comfort level? In NO OTHER COMPETIVE SPORT
is the nature of the competition dumbed down to the level of the
weakest competitor, on the contrary, it is supposed to be a challenge
to perform well.

You are an "adrenaline junky" whether you like it or not. That is the
hormone that gets released in these circumstances (it sure as hell
isn't melatonine!). If you didn't get it you'ld say "that sure is
boring" and go do something else. And tell me why I should give you a
break; you don't give me any. You clearly don't like the word "junky",
but I think it applies to you in the context of your previous posts.
You prefer the word "thrill". So what, the result is the same.
Hopefully, your instinct of self preservation kicks in before you kill
yourself. It's well known in sky diving, for instance, that there is
that select group that likes the thrill of the "low pull", some of
which end up killing themselves. I don't know your age, but I would
guess that it is 30ish; I happen to be a grandfather and fall into the
"old pilot" category. I have had more than one near death experience,
which tends to temper one's adventurism. I have had my share of
experiences including mountain climbing (rock & ice), SCUBA diving, &
car racing (besides flying). I don't happen to think that soaring is
being "dumbed down"; maybe it is being "dumbed up". Contest are won
out on course, not on the final glide. An optimized task will have you
coming in at best glide speed. If you aren't aware of this I would
suggest reading Moffet's book "Winning on the Wind", it could correct
some misconceptions that you appear to have.


You want to finish high, go ahead. But don't complain if I finish
lower and faster. And I won't complain if I misjudge and land short.

I won't complain unless you hit my parked glider like that one guy
did. I would even help you retrieve your glider.

Tom