[LASS Soaring] "Contest Attendance and the Reasons For Them"

[GordySoar at aol.com]

I get around some, and have seen the full range of reasons guys attend  
contests.
 
Of course Ego is a primary reason but there are others that have nothing to  
do with Ego  but rather the reasons contests exist at all.
 
The need for guys to share activities and ideas....we attend contests to  see 
what equipment is being used, and to get ideas for new designs, techniques,  
hardware etc.
 
The opportunity for less skilled/experienced pilots to learn from other  
pilots of advanced experience/skills.
 
Free lunches
 
The fact that our sailplanes have been born specifically for use in task  
soaring...versus floating around on a Saturday... They are most fun when put to  
a task and tested against other ships.

A way for us to measure our own skills....the trend toward Man on Man  
scoring proves this point. Its not about being more 'fair' its about the  'tests'  
(comparisons) being more accurate.
 
The current trend toward more contest participation (in spite of rising  
costs) is likely due to improved equipment.  The flocking of sailplaners to  the 
9303 allowed more exchange of information, and the 93's sailplane friendly  
abilities made it more likely that 'all' pilots would begin to use  them.
 
Add to that the more friendly/capable but mostly durable sailplanes to  
become available to all,,,, AVA and Supra were the molded transitions of popular  
bagged ships of the same genre.

Their light weight added to their 'ease'  and again durability made them 
'worth' the money.  That fast tracked a LOT  of pilots who'd normally have 
wallowed around the bottom score ranks, or would  have remained in their 'I only fly 
for fun' worlds.
 
I am totally amazed at the raised caliber of piloting that I see now every  
where I travel....but the fact is our hobby is getting older.  There are  faces 
missing from contests, and the hobby in general. Sure cost is a factor but  
mostly its age or time of life (kids, jobs, marriages).
 
So after all my travels and having read all the woeful threads about the  
topic....in the end we have only one tool to increase participation in the  
hobby, increase club active membership and increase contest attendance.   Its not a 
guess, its a proven fact...and we've had that device for  years....
 
LSF participation...if the club members are active, new interested rc  
sailplaners also get involved.  It gives them a 'job' to do, something more  than 
just playing with toy airplanes, versus getting the grass cut at  home.  It 
builds skills, it builds clubs and it builds contest  participation.
 
Want to DO something, yep versus just wringing your hands and posting to  
public forums?   Get your pals on their LSF Tasks!  Get some  forms from the LSF, 
become your area or club LSF coordinator.  On Sunday,  always set up a 
landing tape, have your stop watch available.  Promote LSF  task participation and 
next year there will be a few new faces at contests  :-).
 
I know it works, it worked in Louisville and it worked for me.
Gordy
Two LSF5 Tasks ahead

Louisville today, Nashville tomorrow, Clarissa MN next week, back to  
Nashville, then up to NJ and Boston....you?
 



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