Sports Class

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During the last several years, and more so recently, I have heard it
said many times that the Sports Class is the fastest growing class in
the US. So, I decided to look at all contests that included Sports
Class in the last seven years. This data includes Sports Class
Nationals. In 2002 there were 243 contestants flying at least one day
in a contest, that included Sports Class. In 2008 there were 240, a
slight decrease. These facts show no growth. This data can be
verified by going to the SSA web site.

These numbers also show that the Seniors and Nationals make up an
average of 42% of the total number for the same period of time.

[noel.wade]

On Oct 25, 10:29*am, wrote:
> Nationals. *In 2002 there were 243 contestants flying at least one day
> in a contest, that included Sports Class. *In 2008 there were 240, a
> slight decrease. *These facts show no growth. *This data can be
> verified by going to the SSA web site.
>
> These numbers also show that the Seniors and Nationals make up an
> average of 42% of the total number for the same period of time.

So let's put that another way: over half of the participants are NOT
National-level competitors. Which means that Sports Class is
providing them a place to fly and compete.

Also, just looking at score sheets (not a super-thorough analysis) I
find that in 2002 there were 174 contestants flying in Std class and
223 contestants flying in 15m class (in both regionals and
nationals). In 2008 it was 83 entries and 183 entries, respectively.
That means that the Sports Class made up 38% percent of all contest
entries in 2002, using your numbers for Sports Class. In 2008 it was
47% percent. That *is* growth, if you define it in percentage terms.
Or, you could say that the Sports Class is holding its participation
level while the rest of the contest entries are shrinking in numbers.
Its also worth noting that in 2008 there were a lot more contests with
a "Combined Std and 15m" class.

--Noel