The reason that UK competition tasks are generally set between 3 and 4
hours long (for most pilots) is that our scoring system devalues the day if
the task comes in less than 3 hours.

It also devalues the day if the task setter is a **** and lands a load of
people out in the first 40% of the task.

Task setters / competition directors seem to have the idea that they must
set 3 hour tasks. This is not actually so. On a **** weather day they can
set tasks as short as the defined minima for the class which is as little
as 80k (50Miles) in a regionals. I have seen many champions who have had a
challenging and satisfying day flying just 50 miles!

IMO whilst 3 hour + tasks are good, it is best to set a task that you
expect most competitors to complete even if it has to be short and
completed in less than 3 hours.

We have also had problems with turbos in the bigger classes. One task
setter said to me that it didn't matter to him that everyone landed out as
most had turbos! I didn't have one so abandoned the contest after 3
consecutive mass land out days.

Jim