The other direction. The penalty would apply to someone who enters a thermal LESS than, say, 20 seconds after the guy in front of him/her over and over again. I don't think it's dirt simple, although not hugely complex. It's a form of pattern recognition. No problem using someone else's thermal. But if that's all you do, especially if the same 1 or 2 or 3 pilots keep finding the thermals, and especially if there's not much vertical separation, then you're leeching and you shouldn't get the winner's time.

Not a drastic penalty. Just a disincentive to lock in behind one of the leaders and get towed around the course.

How's this for an incentive? Try it and I'll shut up about stealth.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
U.S.A.