Those types of task are great for local contests, where most of the
competitors know the area and there is a wide variety of glider
models. Good fun for all.

On a more serious note, I'd like to suggest a new and exciting task
alternative to practice at the national level. Rather than assigning
tasks, the CD simply assigns a distance and maximum number of legs.
GPS is used only to determine that the minimum distance was achieved.
Speed is not measured. Therefore, there is less incentive to kill
yourself. Finishing is not mandatory -- only achieve the distance
without exceeding the leg count. Those who achieve the minimum
distance appear the next morning at the pilots' meeting. Each has 3
minutes to describe his/her flight. Audience reaction is measured in
db. Laughter, applause, groaning, all counts in the pilot's favor.
Thus, competitors are rewarded for their creativity, delivery,
showmanship, in short, all the needed ingredients to make this a
spectator sport. (Of course, the hall would be open to the public.)

There's little doubt Francois would have won the PeeWee nationals
under this scoring system. Of course, Gary might be at risk for his
seat on the world team, but heck, it seems like the top guys always
manage to adjust.

;-) OC


(JJ Sinclair) wrote in message ...
Last week at William's Octoberfest, we used some new tasking ideas; Contestants
were told to pick ont turn-point from the Northern task area and on from the
Southern task area. Start at Lutz lake with unlimited altitude, 2:00 Minimum
Time and handicap the speeds. Great results with something like a dozen
finishers and we weren't forced to fly up Black Butte Canyon, trying to get
within a mile of the Peak.
It's just a variation of the Turn Area Task, with a bit more structure for
those who like actual turn-points. It harkens back to the first Sports Class
Nationals, where we were required to fly triangles. Remember the Blue books?
:)
JJ Sinclair