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Old January 22nd 15, 03:50 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Dave Springford
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Posts: 320
Default Outstanding video on the sport of Glider RACING

The post was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but in general, I feel tasks are too short and that the maximum amount of day is not used.

However, there is a significant reason European tasks are longer and it has to do with Latitude. Many European contest sites are in the 50's in Latitude (or hilly/mountain sites) and the soarable day can start as early as 10 am and go as late as 8 pm.

Most US contest sites have Latitudes in the 30's and the soaring doesn't start until at least noon and then is done around 5-6 pm. So by necessity the task times are shorter.

In my opinion 2-2.5 hour tasks are too short and 3-4 hour tasks should be the norm. Of course, there are some days when a short tasks is necessary to fit into a weather window, but these should be the exception.