On Dec 12, 1:05*pm, T8 wrote:
On Dec 12, 10:08*am, Scott Alexander
wrote:

I'm still confused on why it is that if the minimum time of a contest
day is 2:30, then you should plan to be back no later than 2:40. *Can
anyone explain the breakdown of the formula to me?

Thanks!

It's because all the climbing you do before the start is "free" (i.e.
not time on task). *The higher the gate, the shorter the task, the
greater incentive there is to finish at (but not under!) minimum
time. *Thought experiment: what's the best strategy for a 15 minute
minimum task with a 6000' gate?

This guideline gets tossed if there's an opportunity to go faster at
the end of the day due to ridges, cloud streets, etc. *Example: Day 4
at R2 this year. *Winners were an hour or more over minimum time. *It
also makes sense to stay out on course longer if you've made some bone
head move early on that slowed you down. *The longer you fly on a day
like that (without further mistakes) the more you dilute your goof.

-Evan Ludeman / T8

Evan has it right.
Very simply, any time you think you can improve your speed, keep
going.
This is very commonly true on short tasks where most of us start too
soon.
It is also true if CD rightly has not made the start rediculously high
because free climb is a smaller proportion of the flight.
On the other hand, weak day, slow speeds, day not improving, try to
finish just over time. Undertime is to be avoided because you leave
achievable miles unused.
More important- concentrate on good climbs and selection of flight
path.
Good Luck
UH