John,
If the last of the grid is struggling, the gate opening should be
withheld. Once the gate is opened, the day results should never be
nullified. I would hope that words to that effect find their way into
the rules next year.
JJ

John Cochrane wrote:
Charlie's report on the ssa website says it was the last three pilots
to launch who could not stay up, which seems a significant detail. If
the first to launch can find lift, get away from the airport, and wait
to start, but there really is zero lift in the airport area when the
back half of the grid launches, then the decision seems reasonable --
from this very far distance. I take it you don't think there really
was zero lift, and it was possible for the back half of the grid to
stay up off tow.

John Cochrane BB