Gary...even though I may be the "vocal minority" in the Arizona Soaring
Association, you are preaching to the choir with me.....I think that we
should continue to have the MAT, TAT and also the AST. I actually think
that the MAT was undercalled this season. If it is because CD's feel that
it is the same as the TAT I think they are incorrect. If you look at my
original post on this thread it suggested a task that discouraged flying
together.

Different tasks evaluate different skills in racing pilots so there should
be a mix to be able to truly see who is the best. It sounds like your
primary reason for disliking the AST is because of following or gaggles.
Although I agree with you that the non-AST tasks discourage that I think
that the top pilots can loose others even on the AST tasks....it has
happened to me even when another top pilot told me to follow him early on in
my racing career! On the other hand I do agree that it is possible to keep
within "striking distance" in a contest by following on some days. I also
think though that some folks take independence to a fault and will pass up a
great thermal on the basis of other pilots already in it. There is also a
fine line at some point in ones racing career when they go from learning
mode, when they should be following or at least watching, to going out on
their own. That point may not be agreed upon by you and them.

Finally it will all continue to be in disarray until the US Competition
Committee defines a set of skills that we are trying to evaluate in racing
pilots and/or a goal of racing gliders. Until then you, I or anyone else
can say whatever they wish in terms of importance but there will be no way
determine which is correct.

Casey
KC