Train Wreck

https://youtu.be/9rro7I1AO10

On Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 10:20:39 AM UTC-5, Sean Fidler wrote:
https://youtu.be/9rro7I1AO10

You just can't quit the name calling, can you.... One look at the title, naw, I've got better things to do.

best,
Evan Ludeman / T8

The train wreck continues at www.seanfidler.com.

This is what I said in the original post:

"I can only guess at why others didn’t rank him well in the 18m class. I ranked him low in the 15m because he doesn't do well in a TAT or a MAT task. If he doesn’t have markers around him he tends not to do so well. MAT task aside, there are still quite a few TAT tasks at the WGC and pilot needs to be able to perform if they find themselves separated from the lead gaggle. On top of all that he doesn't work well with others and is an internet troll. Sorry, but we all know it to be true."

It was just my personal opinion after seeing his predictable scoresheet tumbles when a MAT or TAT was called. Even more predictable was the later outcry on RAS that these tasks were horrible...

I think I ranked him 3rd or 4th out of 9 possible in 15m. Must have touched a nerve.


XC

#internetbullyingnotjustforteenagegirlsanymore
#stillstampingfeetovergettingpickedlastforkickball
#whyaretherenospacesbetweenthesewords
#matsandtatsarefunforsomenotforothers
#ifyouthinkthesearerealyourenuttierthan7T

You guys may be mistaking behind-the-keyboard crazy Sean for the pilot. Sean loves the idea of racing assigned tasks and grand prix, and rather pointedly says so. I haven't seen any particular lack of originality and willingness to strike out on the own in the air. If anything, the opposite, Sean goes where others fear to tread. Just because he doesn't think contests should call tats (which WGC also do, increasingly) does not mean he's any worse at flying them. Not every opinion in this sport is self-interested

John Cochrane

On Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 7:44:27 PM UTC-5, John Cochrane wrote:
You guys may be mistaking behind-the-keyboard crazy Sean for the pilot. Sean loves the idea of racing assigned tasks and grand prix, and rather pointedly says so. I haven't seen any particular lack of originality and willingness to strike out on the own in the air. If anything, the opposite, Sean goes where others fear to tread. Just because he doesn't think contests should call tats (which WGC also do, increasingly) does not mean he's any worse at flying them. Not every opinion in this sport is self-interested

John Cochrane

Flying excellence is REALLY important, but it needs to be part of a larger package.
Nasty aggressive behavior, even if not face to face, is corrosive to the entire process of building a team that will succeed. When it's time to perform ,there needs to be a very strong bond for true team work to happen. This does not happen in 3 weeks on site. If you start in a hole, it is very difficult to achieve.
The importance of how the team presents itself is also hard to over emphasize. Raising funds to support a team with a demonstrated bad actor could well be next to impossible. It is hard enough without people saying "I'm not going to support a team with that person on it".
I appreciate the hard caring work of the USTC in developing this new process. I have called them to task, face to face, for the terrible job they did in letting the affected pilots, and others, know how things were changing. They looked me in the eye and vowed to do better.
Thanks to the USTC.
Let's get behind our new team.
UH
US Club Class Team 2001, 2002

UH: I agree entirely. This kind of public (yes, internet is public) behavior is near inexcusable and close to disqualifying in a US team member. Any pilot who reacted to a decision by a worlds CD, international Jury, or an action by his own team captain and team mates in this manner should be sent home immediately and banned from further US team participation.

I have not seen a similar ability to overcome the many unfair adversities our sport throws us in competition, but I would surely infer less than the required equanimity, and the US team should consider that in its assessment of pilots overall suitability. Overcoming a bad day and not throwing yourself into a mire of self-inflicted self-pitying misery has been a constant weak point of the US team, and one of the main things this whole selection process was invented in order to avoid.

One effect of going to a voting system: any pilot should pay a little self-interested attention to his relations with other pilots, the US team, and his or her public image. Maybe that isn't all bad!

I merely wanted to correct an impression I saw in earlier posts -- that because Sean rants about assigned tasks and US rules he is necessarily only good at assigned tasks and IGC rules, and does it to further his own contest results. Sean is pretty good at flying any kind of task, and is not a leech in classic style.

Likewise, I argue for high finishes, more TAT and MAT to avoid gaggling and leeching, because I enjoy contests more that way. But as a pilot, I fly the finish line just as crazy as the rest of you guys, and play the gaggle and follow game as necessary.

John Cochrane

https://youtu.be/uhrEFpb2kGs

What is your complaint? Following, team flying, and using markers is very hard, and its a part of the WGC game that US pilots are typically not very good at. We tend to break off and do our own thing when inappropriate and screw the pooch. Kawa himself follows and uses markers when appropriate. If these guys can do it effectively at the right times, good for them, and this should be much in their favor for US team selection. Individualists who want to fly by themselves will not do well at WGC

On Monday, November 6, 2017 at 6:38:46 PM UTC-5, Sean Fidler wrote:
https://youtu.be/uhrEFpb2kGs


I just can't make sense of it, I cannot see how doing this serves your goals. So I'll try a different tack... How about you go over to Poland and kick some ass, score at the top of the sheet, post one for the Americans, and give those damn "good 'ol boys" back home here in the US no other option than to put you in the 18 meter class next year and beyond (lots of competition soaring left for you). You might be surprised how many people would get on your side (and be more open to changing US competition soaring to your preference), slapping your back and cheering you on, just like many of us did when you scored well at the Grand Prix. Leeching is legal. No complaining. Go beat everyone despite the terrible rules. Like this guy does. Can you beat him? Or do you just want to be the best US pilot. Low bar for you I think, very low bar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH6YVbUotDQ

At 23:38 06 November 2017, Sean Fidler wrote:
https://youtu.be/uhrEFpb2kGs

Why do you do this Sean? If you spent the same amount of time making a few
friends in the US Soaring community, you would probably more easily reach
your goals.