Hi,

I'm sorry, but disagree with how you are interpreting the rule. It says
only that the Handicapped Distance is not less than the required full task
length. For example. If you are flying a glider with a handicap of 0.89,
the handicapped distance would be 300 k / 0.89 = 337.1 k. So the minimum
300 K triangle distance for a Sport Class state record in that glider would
be 337.1 km. A short winged glider (like the one you mention below) would
need to fly only 273 km. The only number to be compared to the "task
distance" (300 k triangle for example) is the handicapped distance. There
is no mention of comparing the raw or actual distance to the "task
distance".

I like the rule. It makes the playing field more level. Even with the
handicapping it is still easier for the high performance ship to make it
around the longer course - for several reasons. For example, the long
winged glider has a much higher chance of bumping into good lift and can go
further between good thermals.

The rule applies only to the Sports Class records. All other records (Open,
15m, Standard Class, Double-seater) are not handicapped at all.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde


"Todd" wrote in message
...
So, if you are flying a glider with a 1.1 CH handicap, then you can
fly (for example) a triangle of 273 km which would be a handicapped
300K.

Recheck the rules...they also say that the distance cannot be less
than the "nominal" distance

(ii. Calculate Handicapped Speed: Verify that the Handicapped Distance
is not less than the required record task length),

so in your example, you still need to fly the full 300KM.

This rule would also require a .80 long winged ship to fly 1200KM for
his 1000KM record.

Personally I disagree with this implementation. Speed records (which
are all for "fixed" distances) should be flown at the stated nominal
distance (e.g. 500km) and the resulting performance (speed) then
handicapped. As currently written, you cannot lay out a 100KM
triangle and attack it with various ships/pilots and compare
handicapped performance. Soaring is the only sport I know that does
this kind of handicapping. Every other "racing" sport pits speed
against a fixed course (distance) and handicaps the result (e.g. .25
mile drag racing, Solo II car events, or even a Assigned Task in
Sports Class)

Unless you fly the 1.0 scratch ship, you are either penalized by
flying further than the nominal distance (significant at longer
distances, e.g. 1000km) or fly extra "handicapped distance". If you
want to pit the .8 ship vs the 1.2 ship together on one day, they
should be required to fly the exact same course.