JJ,

Yeah, I can see how out west when there is a big difference between
the MSH and top of lift, and plenty of opportunities to use it, a
whole new set of start considerations come into play. There really is
no longer any way to compare how you are doing with someone else in
real time. Bit of a shame, that.

And as you say, decisions on course should overwhelm any start
advantage - as long as the CDs give us nice long tasks!

But to continue playing devil's advocate (an I want to emphasize that
I like the new start, this is just a winter discussion of possible pro/
cons, after all!), John in an earlier post stated that it is suggested
that the MSH be set 500' below cloudbase or top of useable lift -
which is not what you guys are describing out at Parowan.

I hope I get a chance to try starting out the top this year - last
year it was more like start at release altitude at the contest I flew
in!

Maybe we can convince John to write us a nice explanation of the
various tactical advantages/disadvantages of side vs top starts with
high or low MSH and strong/weak lift!

Merry Christmas, all!

Kirk
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