US contest scoring formula is broken

One thing that soaring
should do in my opinion is change the time cycle for rule changes.
Keep the rules constant for 3 or 4 years, then change them. *That
would reduce the constant whiplash of new rules every year.


So, if you see a really awful rule, a dangerous rule, or even a typo
or clear mistake (it happens), we should be forbidden to change it for
three years? That makes no sense at all.

And speaking of complication, now every single rule would need a date
by it -- "rule 10.2.3.5 (no change before 2011) ..." Or maybe you
want a new rule specifying "major changes" vs. "typos" which have
different waiting periods. And a new commitee to monitor all the
different waiting periods....

What rules change from the past several years would you really have
liked to force everyone to wait for? Would it have been good to force
start anywhere to wait three years just to watch the clock run out?
How about the new finish, which prohibits thermaling under the finish
gate or big zoomies right in to the belly of another glider? Should we
have watched people do that for three years just for funzies? How
about the new rule giving 600 points for distance rather than 400?
Would it have been good to just sit for 3 years? Why?

The RC does keep changes to a minimum, there is the cycle of "try it
in regionals first" which catches major glitches, and an extensive
"get the word out" program.

John Cochrane