The highly successful UK Junior XC program vs. USA's nonexistantJunior XC program. Why?

It seems that there is three issues he

1) Lack of motivation in some clubs to support X/C flying.
2) Juniors access to X/C gliders
3) Geographical constraints making it financially prohibitive for juniors
to fly comps.

I'm not sure about #1 but here is a thought for #2 & 3.

Why not hold a junior national competition to run directly after a seniors
contest.

Encourage some of the senior pilots who have a lack of time, but fluid
funds and a glider to get a junior to crew for them at the seniors contest.


The junior would be expected to haul the glider across the country behind
the seniors car, allowing the senior to get a commercial flight and arrive
at the contest in comfort.

Junior crews for senior and then borrows the glider for their contest
directly afterward and then tows it back to the home club.

I see insurance share arrangements working really well in the UK all the
time.
With a bit of thought it can work well for both parties.

It can be a purely financial arrangement with the junior contributing
toward the running costs or it can be that the junior crews for senior and
does all the looking after of the kit; polishing, cleaning trailer, taking
glider to the inspector of the annual, etc.

I have seen some strong friendships forged, some old guys reminded how to
be young and some young guys developing a scene of responsibility.

What goes around comes around. As the junior gets decent employment they
can give back to the next group. That's what has happened at my club for 20
+ years.

Just a thought....