On Thursday, 18 May 2017 20:28:25 UTC-6, Rich Owen wrote:
Ron,

We are planning the 18 Meter Nationals during the month of May. We are deconflicting with the Region 5 North and Miffin contests that do not have dates yet. We want to ensure pilots have the ability to attend all 3 contests if they desire. By setting dates too early, and without any coordination, we hamper the plans of other contest management staff. All of us want to provide the best contests possible and not force pilots to choose one over another based on overlapping dates. This contest has not been officially sanctioned by the SSA, so that is why it had not been announced. Sorry for any confusion this has caused.

Rich Owen
Vice President
Seminole Flying and Soaring

Rich thanks for the update and your continued willingness to host and support contests. Your efforts to coordinate with other venues is great but that has been done by the SSA in the past. Typically National contests are set 2 years in advance so other contests can work around the dates.

Other folks that have submitted requests to host National contests for 2018 have not heard from the SSA. Many are in the same boat as you Rich.

Sounds like SE USA for 2018 will the hub for the beginning of the contest season; March for the Seniors, April for the SGP and May for the 18 Meter Nationals.

Rich thanks again to you and the other folks at Seminole for your support of soaring and hosting racing (gasp!) events!

Ron Gleason

PS - I got my ticket at Seminole (Knut and Jim Lee) and in the early 2000's spent each spring in the central FL area flying and competing in HG contests. All that changed after the 2006 HG worlds held 15 miles north of Seminole when I started flying gliders. Time to get to FL in the spring. Yahoo!