Perhaps (though I strongly disagree) but still you still avoid (along with many) the key question...

What measured value does maintaining US rules provide vs. the efficiency and stability of using FAI rules (like every other country on earth does, happily, successfully and safely)?

Sure, the SSA has created a hugely disproportionate, anemic, senior heavy age distribution for itself and simultaneously conditioned it's membership to react negatively to the any suggestion of racing, assigned task or adopting the same rules which are used happily, successfully, and safely by all other soaring nations. But that situation IN NOW WAY justifies continuing down the existing failed course with US rules and wasting all the time, energy and resources.

Yes, we need to start focusing far, far more aggressively (vs not at all) on re-developing youth in contest soaring. This is essential. But we need to re-connect with the international soaring community and stop isolating ourselves and softening our pilots skills. There is incredible value in that reconnection with FAI and the international community which our "elders" insist that we leave on the table.

We need to immediately refocus the wasted efforts of our failed (zero to negative net value) US rules on higher priority efforts.

The idea that we are old and grumpy (US soaring, SSA) and a rule change won't improve participation for the "old guys" is just awful. So is saying that youth will not respond. Look at Britain. look at Germany. Australia. Etc, etc. We need some 18-32 yr olds on our rules committee. We need to stop putting only the good old boys on the rules committee. The current crop actually works to keep youth or "non like minded" contest pilots off thier precious RC. This is corrupt, unhealthy and shameful, and they know it.