Noel,

I thought I would respond to your post as I am a pilot of similar contest experience and own a glider of performance. I see glider competition very differently than you do. I am 41, so a little older but flew my first real contest 2 years ago. I think loosing needs to be something you expect as we are both new to this sport. If found ourselves winning right away why bother? That is not a challenge. I come from a sailboat racing background which is an intense sport where even the best competitors lose more than they win. Sailing is just that intense and competitive in most classes. It took me many years to win my first major competition. IOW, I got my ass kicked for years before getting close to the podium. I suggest that you need to be less concerned about getting your ass kicked and instead understand that intense competition is a sign of a great opportunity to learn. We need even more great pilots than we have now in the USA. I am lucky to live near Canada with arguably the best 15/18 meter racing pilots in North America 4 hours away. I flew my first contest in their 18M nationals in a Lak17a while they were flying ASG29's and LS8's. Talk about getting your ass kicked. I never complained. I was happy to pay the entry fee for an opportunity to fly with these great pilots and learn from them.

You say "why pay for competition entries just to get my ass repeatedly kicked by
D2s, V2s, and other high-dollar glass being flown by super-experienced
pilots?"

I say, that is exactly what happens today in most US sports class contests! A true US Club Class would eliminate the high dollar gliders and associated pilots from the environment. It is extremely difficult to handicap a Grob 102 effectively with an ASG29 or V2. So much so that it just makes no competitive sense doing so. Getting your ass kicked is what learning a new sport or business or game is about. Again, if its easy from the offset what is the challenge? Why bother? If you are looking for a class to win immediately in just make one up and apply for a waiver. Perhaps the DG 300 class ;-)? I just see this concept 100% opposite.

You say "The handicapping and spread of pilot experience made Sports Class far
more appealing. And the supportive atmosphere from fellow competitors
(especially the experienced ones who freely share their local
knowledge and wisdom) keep me coming back. And I've found that
atmosphere much more prevalent in Regional handicapped races, than at
high-stakes Nationals."

I say, wow!?! I don't get this statement, at all. Far more appealing to race a cirrus vs. a V2? So the larger the handicap spread the more appealing a sailplane racing class is is to you? I say, it is ABSOLUTELY false that Sports class is the only means of a supportive atmosphere. Keep in mind that the US Club Class has essentially been blocked by the Rules Committee until this year, but only at the nationals if 12+ pilots register to fly within it. What they have proposed is a much larger handicap range than has been proven successful in the rest of the world, essentially destroying the class dynamics itself and changing the game dramatically. When the US Club Class happens (IGC range), and it will, you will find the pilots within this class are extremely friendly, helpful and supportive of new pilots (while being great competitors as well). Supportive and friendly pilots being open to sharing and helping other pilots IS NOT the exclusive territory of US Sports Class.

You say, "If you want to push the top end of the contest group, you need to
build a broad, solid base first. Over time a bigger base of pilots
will ensure you net more "top guns" (i.e. 1% of 5000 is more than 1%
of 1000). The cream will rise to the top, and drive everyone around
them (who's serious about staying on top) to do better. If you neglect
the base, the whole system slowly withers on the vine; and without new
blood coming up to challenge the existing top dogs, people aren't as
driven to evolve or improve. Things stagnate - the top dogs probably
stay on top; but only within their own limited peer-group. Eventually
age takes its toll and the top dogs disappear into the sunset - and
who is left to take their place?"

I say, "The base you speak of will become the US Club Class (IGC handicap range). The top guns will be in the Sports Class High Class moving forward (essentially a blend of standard, 15M, 18M, 20M and Open). The RC just needs to get out of the way, and RETAIN US Sports Class as is!" You should be 100% supportive of that idea based on your post. The US Club Class will be a high tech factory for enthusiastic new young contest pilots in the US for years to come. It will be the foundry for developing Jr. pilots in the US. It will be the place to race IGC rules. A place were you can be competitive with most of the gliders on THIS LIST: http://www.fai.org/downloads/igc/IGC...ap_list_ARG_V2 These gliders are abundantly available, very affordable and translate directly to the world Club Class standards.

Anyway, I know my opinion is vastly different than yours. I just wanted to explain it in detail.
Best,

Sean
F2