On Jan 8, 9:57*am, wrote:
On Jan 8, 11:08*am, Andy wrote:





On Jan 8, 8:45*am, wrote:

Even in the worst case presented, the new rule is still a significant
improvement.

Sorry, I don't agree.

If the intent of the rule change is to prevent starts from the back
half there are better ways to do it.

The rule should define the "front half" as the semicircle of the start
cylinder that has its diameter normal to the line between the start
point and the first turn point. *A valid start would only be given for
an exit from the front half.

The valid start area is then fixed for all contestants regardless of
where they turn in the first area. *This valid start area is easily
visualized by the contestant without needing any special computer
software.

Andy

Yes, I do think it's an improvement. *Your version is even better in
its simplicity.

I've never seen anyone start from the back of the circle, either,
though I've only flown a couple of regionals since start anywhere was
adopted. *However I can think of a few contest numbers that I would
expect to see trying this, sooner or later. *I'd rather *not* fly this
way myself, but probably *would* if it was necessary to be
competitive. *I rather we had a rule that took away any incentive to
do this.

-T8

Evan,

I'm not sure what you mean by "rather *not* fly this way". Is this in
reference to starting near the back of the cylinder or something else?

I have flown at several sites that I could easily see starting near
the back of the cylinder. I nearly did it a few years ago even with
the 10 mile penalty back then because I could climb 7,000 feet higher
near the back than the front at Air Sailing when we had tasks to the
south.

At Parowan, Minden Logan, and Air Sailing depending on the start
cylinder and the location of the first turn point, there can be a
great reason to go to the back of the cylinder and climb on the higher
ground.

The proposed rules seems to add nothing but confusion and complexity
to a very simple idea. Start anywhere in the cylinder or out the top.
Score the distance from the startpoint to the turnpoint.

The start anywhere is a vast improvement over the old system. At
Uvalde with the top of the cylinder above cloud base you had one or
two thermals on the closest edge of the cylinder with pilots pushing
into the wisps and the usual gaggle compression at the top. I will
take Start Anywhere over that anytime.

TT