In article ,
wrote:

This looks like an interesting format.

Perhaps I'm too jaded as one who isn't all that sentimental about "the good
old days of racing" that "The Florida Sailplane Grand Prix has been designed
to bring back," but I wonder if the organizers have really thought through
what unlimited altitude starts and finishes mean, at least if anyone gets at
all serious about the race.

Up in to the clouds for the last few minutes before the start? Zero zero
final glides? What happens when you put competitive glider pilots wingtip to
wingtip, give points to the guy who finishes one inch ahead of the other?
Answer: well, it's exiting for the spectators. Even the IGC grand prix went
to altitude limited finishes after a little too much excitement. I hope the
fields near Seminole are hospitable and the fence is low.

And with a class that starts at handicap 0.880 and below, with no glider
handicapping, I know what I will bring to Florida if I can make it.

That said, the general concept of starting a reasonably small race at the
same time, and getting rid of start gate roulette and leeching once and for
all seems attractive.

I don't know what that has to do with "the good old days," where starting
last, diving through a 3000' gate at VNE and catching the gaggle were the
heart of the game.

John Cochrane

Well, with any luck, no one will get "serious". It's not a sanctioned
event for one thing. Besides, I wish everyone would remember it's just
an effing glider race. Clearly one of the most ridiculous and
impractical pursuits ever invented. Why does anyone ever take it
seriously?

No max start height, no minimum finish? Matters not one whit to me. I
ain't gonna kill myself to win even if it were the World's.

If any of y'all are intent on suicide in the pursuit of the absurd,
please do it somewhere and someway well distant from aviation. My
insurance is quite high enough already.