This looks like an interesting format.

Perhaps I'm too jaded as one who isn't all that sentimental about "the good old days of racing" that "The Florida Sailplane Grand Prix has been designed to bring back," but I wonder if the organizers have really thought through what unlimited altitude starts and finishes mean, at least if anyone gets at all serious about the race.

Up in to the clouds for the last few minutes before the start? Zero zero final glides? What happens when you put competitive glider pilots wingtip to wingtip, give points to the guy who finishes one inch ahead of the other? Answer: well, it's exiting for the spectators. Even the IGC grand prix went to altitude limited finishes after a little too much excitement. I hope the fields near Seminole are hospitable and the fence is low.

And with a class that starts at handicap 0.880 and below, with no glider handicapping, I know what I will bring to Florida if I can make it.

That said, the general concept of starting a reasonably small race at the same time, and getting rid of start gate roulette and leeching once and for all seems attractive.

I don't know what that has to do with "the good old days," where starting last, diving through a 3000' gate at VNE and catching the gaggle were the heart of the game.

John Cochrane