On Monday, 29 July 2013 15:55:28 UTC-6, WB wrote:
In article ,

wrote:



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



Well, with any luck, no one will get "serious". It's not a sanctioned

event for one thing. Besides, I wish everyone would remember it's just

an effing glider race. Clearly one of the most ridiculous and

impractical pursuits ever invented. Why does anyone ever take it

seriously?



No max start height, no minimum finish? Matters not one whit to me. I

ain't gonna kill myself to win even if it were the World's.



If any of y'all are intent on suicide in the pursuit of the absurd,

please do it somewhere and someway well distant from aviation. My

insurance is quite high enough already.

What WB says. Sometime life and flying is just about having fun.