Reference the issue with the TSC "failing to follow the established precedent of  HIGHLIGHTING/EMPHASIZING all changes to the program."  That is not a true statement.  When the program was sent to AMA for distribution ALL changes were not only highlighted in bold text but the text color was also changed to red.  The program was printed on a B&W printer at AMA and the text style was inadvertently changed from bold to "normal." There was absolutely no attempt on the part of the TSC to conceal the changes.  In hindsight, it may be a plus because it requires participants to actually read the program rather than just skimming it for highlights.  If anyone is having trouble reading it, I would be happy to email them a copy with the highlights.

            Some feel that the round schedule at the finals has been too long, making it more difficult to keep up a rhythm. The original setup we came up with for this program was to use a 20-minute round and 10 minute break. Some reasoned that a 20-minute window more closely represented the block of time each team member would use when a 55-minute round is divided by three at a world champs. However, at the world champs if one team member has a problem, the team can advance one of the other flyers and the person with a problem can gain a little time. So we decided to cut the break to 5 minutes and make the round 25 minutes. We also thought it would be an advantage to set a schedule where all of rounds begin on an even 30 minutes.

            Some thought that this would put an extra burden on the time keepers. In practice, it is possible that someone could wait until the end of the round to fly, leaving a timekeeper only 5 minutes for a bathroom break. But, this scenario would not likely play out on more than a few poles per round. However, this possibility was the impetuous for the lunch break. Also, there is always a lunch break at the World Championships, and we felt it would be a good idea to get used to a break in the action. This break can also be used for retrieval or rest.

            This is the first time we are attempting this regimen, and we tried to build time into the schedule where it is most important. We wanted to maximize our opportunities to get in a good, fair flyoff in all events. A schedule with three evening flyoffs was cramped, and we felt inevitable delays would force a cancelation of the most important (see history below) half-an-hour-prior-to-sunset flyoff. There is a good chance that this flyoff would determine a team member and the next day could begin fresh. We scheduled a flyoff for the next morning if one is needed.

            Remember the CD and or Jury can postpone or delay rounds if retrieval is becoming a problem. 

            Most importantly, this schedule allows time between the last scheduled round and the first scheduled flyoff for people to prepare, retrieve lost models, repair damaged models, or test. In the event of bad weather it would be possible to make up a lost round in this time period and still have adequate time to prepare for a flyoff.

            If the program is a success and we are able to find a suitable field other than Lost Hills for the next cycle, a schedule will be written to fit the new field and hours of daylight available. Again, I urge everyone to be constructive and work together to help make this an excellent finals.

Sincerely,

Chuck Etherington - TSC Chair

Blake Jensen - TSC Vice Chair

TS Committee

Some World Champs history:

In 1997, all three events were decided in evening flyoffs.

In 1999, conditions did not permit flying in the afternoon and all events went directly to a 10-minute flyoff the next morning. This lead to large flyoffs that diluted the timer pool and all of the competitors did not have equal timekeepers.

In 2001, all events flew a five- and seven-minute flyoff in the evening, which cut the field to a manageable number of participants for the final flyoff the next morning.

In 2003, all events except F1C, which could not complete seven rounds because of weather, were determined in evening flyoffs.

In 2005, F1A was determined in an evening flyoff, F1B went to a morning flyoff because weather did not permit an evening flyoff. F1C had a five- and seven-minute round with five flyers maxing the seven and proceeding to a morning flyoff.

In 2007, F1A was determined in an evening flyoff, F1B experienced a weather delay and went to a morning flyoff after the four flyers who maxed out also maxed the five-minute round. All but first and second were determined in F1C in evening flyoffs.

In 2009, F1A and F1B were determined in evening flyoffs and all but first and second in F1C were determined in evening flyoffs.