The funny thing is that a reasonable compromise may be just to have a
finish cylinder, but no finish altitude - but you have to land at the
home field to get speed points. 1 mile, 2 miles, makes no difference,
you have to have the energy to make it home. More than 2 miles
(actually, probably more than 1 mile) and some guys would try to
thermal up after finishing, so that would have to be addressed somehow
(no thermalling in the finish cylinder?). Otherwise, fly what you
think is the optimum final glide and make it work. Simple. Perhaps.

This way the JJs and newbies could finish at their desired 500' (or
more), and proceed liesurely to the pattern, while us crazed maniacs
could risk life and limb to shine our a**es for the crowd of adoring
groupies via spectacular beat-ups. Got to find some use for those big
contest numbers under the wing that cost so much.

Heck, JJ, we'll probably kill ourselves off pretty quickly (along with
assorted burning worms) so your problem will be solved!

Oh, and with regards to Dick Butler's comment on slow final glides -
doesn't he fly an extended-wing ASW-22? (The ETA-biter?) That would
tend to make you fly a slow final glide, wouldn't it. Of course, it's
probably on final glide when it starts....

Great conversation, all in all.