[NSRCA-discussion] Matrix improvements

Ron Van Putte vanputte at cox.net
Mon Aug 3 13:36:48 AKDT 2009


I think Greg Grigsby would agree.  Greg won the Master class at the  
1997 Nats.  He placed about 25th this year and I thought he flew very  
well.

Ron VP

On Aug 3, 2009, at 4:27 PM, michael s harrison wrote:

> Everybody I judged was a somebody.  I thought you flew very well  
> and thought I scored you as such.  9th or 10th in that bunch was  
> quite an achievement.  It was the best Masters bunch I have ever seen.
>
> mike
>
>
>
> From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca- 
> discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of krishlan fitzsimmons
> Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 3:50 PM
> To: General pattern discussion
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Matrix improvements
>
>
>
> I agree Mark. 100%...
>
> I'm a try to win guy normally, but for my 1st and 2nd nats, the  
> finals is good IMO as I haven't paid my dues, and am a nobody. I  
> guess I'm just not used to not being judged equally. Something I  
> will have to get used to if I want to continue to go to the nats.
>
> Chris
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- On Mon, 8/3/09, Atwood, Mark <atwoodm at paragon-inc.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: Atwood, Mark <atwoodm at paragon-inc.com>
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Matrix improvements
> To: "General pattern discussion" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
> Date: Monday, August 3, 2009, 1:32 PM
>
> I’d argue there are two groups of people that go to the nats. One  
> group to try and win, the other to see their general placing and  
> enjoy the social environment of a week playing with toy airplanes.
>
>
>
> From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca- 
> discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of krishlan fitzsimmons
> Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 3:53 PM
> To: General pattern discussion
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Matrix improvements
>
>
>
> Equal exposure takes time we usually don’t have. We lower the cut- 
> off point to ensure that the top fliers in contention for winning  
> make the finals.
>
> Then why does anyone go to the nats. Shouldn't only the top flyers  
> go? <~WRD000.jpg>haha
>
> On another note, who fly's morning's next year. LMAO.. lol  
> <~WRD000.jpg><~WRD000.jpg>
>
> I'm starting to get a laugh out of the nats.. lol
>
> Chris
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- On Mon, 8/3/09, Atwood, Mark <atwoodm at paragon-inc.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: Atwood, Mark <atwoodm at paragon-inc.com>
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Matrix improvements
> To: "General pattern discussion" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
> Date: Monday, August 3, 2009, 12:28 PM
>
> As someone who’s goal this year was to make the FAI Semi Finals, I  
> understand your point completely.
>
>
>
> The problem is that all you’re really doing by changing systems is  
> shifting the accuracy from spots 6,7 & 8 to 11,12 & 13. Bad seeding  
> will still result in those positions being a coin toss. An unknown  
> flyer, or one that has not been to the Nationals in years, does not  
> usually get “seeded” and can mess up the whole game (with regard to  
> that 12th spot…not as far as picking a champion or even the top 6).
>
>
>
> Bottom line, anything but equal exposure will always make the cut- 
> off positions subject to error. Equal exposure takes time we  
> usually don’t have. We lower the cut-off point to ensure that the  
> top fliers in contention for winning make the finals.
>
>
>
> I’m not really sure what else can be done.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca- 
> discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of krishlan fitzsimmons
> Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 3:00 PM
> To: General pattern discussion
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Matrix improvements
>
>
>
> My opinion may be a little different, but similar Mark.
> An example, Mike Mueller flew against Tony all week. Flew  
> excellent, but didn't make the finals. My opinion, he should have.  
> The way our system works (or doesn't work) caused this IMO. Mike,  
> like myself and many others, spent a lot on the nats, and if it  
> isn't fair, why go? Well, it's a great time for sure. And it's  
> great to see all you guys! But we need a system to allow us to be  
> judged fairly. We would never run this kind of system at a local  
> contest, so why do we do it at the nats, our most prestigious  
> contest? Could you see it at a local? Ok, you two guys fly in front  
> of those judges, and you other 2 guys fly in front of two other  
> judges, and so on. Why did FAI want equal exposure this year? My  
> guess is because they had less entries, yes, but because our system  
> doesn't work right, and I'm sure they know it. Would the outcome  
> have been different if they ran it different? Maybe, maybe not. But  
> I sure feel the Masters outcome would have been had we had equal  
> exposure. And if Intermediate, and Advanced would have had a  
> finals, I feel the outcome may have changed a little.
>
> We discussed this some at the contest this weekend, and doing  
> Jerry's system, with taking the top 3 in each group, then flying 3  
> and keeping the best 2 rounds would work pretty well, and not much  
> more time. That way, the top 8 will make the finals regardless of  
> their grouping inconsistencies. Unless we can get equal exposure  
> like FAI did this year. That is the best system. Just a thought.
>
> Where I differ I think in our thoughts Mark, is that I go to try to  
> make the finals. Then I would be satisfied. 8th place is good to me  
> at the nats right now. Yes we are trying to pick a national  
> champion. But to some of us lesser talented flyer's, we are  
> battling for, and proud of 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th.  <~WRD000.jpg>
>
> In the long run, whatever happens, happens. The point of the whole  
> discussion is to bring about new and possibly format changing ideas  
> that we all may find hope in and try those ideas. Change is good  
> sometimes. With the high amount of intelligence amongst our group,  
> we ought to be able to figure out a way to do this IMO.
>
> Chris
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- On Mon, 8/3/09, Atwood, Mark <atwoodm at paragon-inc.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: Atwood, Mark <atwoodm at paragon-inc.com>
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Matrix improvements
> To: "General pattern discussion" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
> Date: Monday, August 3, 2009, 11:06 AM
>
> This is really the ONLY issue at hand.  Proper seeding becomes  
> vital to both formats.  In the Matrix system, two “weaker” (no  
> bashing, just being honest) groups will normalize very high to one  
> another on the day they fly against each other  knocking out some  
> of the pilots from the other groups who are forced to always  
> normalize against one of the stronger pilots (in this years case  
> that was Arch and Frak).
>
>
>
> The 4 mini contests does a better job with the math (your at least  
> not trying to force normalization with equal exposure) but in  
> contrast, the idea of taking the top 2 or 3 from each group assumes  
> that one group won’t have 4 of the best pilots.  Not the best  
> assumption given the inconsistent attendance that many have at the  
> nats.  No way to seed beyond the top 3-4 people that we have  
> experience with.
>
>
>
> In both cases…people have to stay true to the “Goal”.  Which is  
> really to make sure that the top 3 guys make the finals.  We’re  
> trying to pick the National Champion, not the 5,6,7 and 8th place  
> guys.   Taking 8 to the finals in EITHER format does a good job of  
> ensuring that the top 3 are in the finals and have a fair, well  
> judged event to choose the champion.
>
>
>
> I think any format we choose is likely to err when it comes to the  
> 8,9,10 place individuals.  That would be a problem if we were only  
> taking 3 to the finals.  The idea of taking 8 purposely mitigates  
> that.
>
>
>
> It’s even less of an issue in FAI where 20 fly in a full exposure  
> format to choose the finalists and they still take 8 to choose the  
> top guys.
>
>
>
> From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca- 
> discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Derek Koopowitz
> Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 1:57 PM
> To: General pattern discussion
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Matrix improvements
>
>
>
> Seeding would be very critical in this just like seeding is  
> critical in the current matrix system as well.  I'll give you a  
> good example... had Glen Watson showed up wouldn't that have  
> affected some pilots in his group?  With Glen not being there that  
> group became an      "easy" group and the normalized scores  
> reflected that relative to the other groups.  I'm not trying to  
> diminish anyone's flying efforts here but I think the ED should  
> adjust the flying groups based on attendance if necessary in order  
> to level the playing field for everyone.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 10:43 AM, Mark Hunt <flyintexan at att.net> wrote:
>
> I too would like to see an article on this.  No offense, but  
> initially it is unclear to me how this would give any better  
> exposure of pilots to the same judges/conditions than the current  
> matrix system allows for.  Would seeding not become even more  
> critical in this scenario?
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> From: Anthony Romano <anthonyr105 at hotmail.com>
>
>
> To: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
>
> Sent: Monday, August 3, 2009 11:56:34 AM
> Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Matrix improvements
>
>
> Maybe Jerry could detail this in a Kfactor article. Perhaps could  
> be used at locals to help with an oversized Masters group.
>
> Anthony
>
>
> Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:45:19 -0700
> From: derekkoopowitz at gmail.com
> To: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Flash Poll - Relocate the Nats in  
> 2010?
>
> Jerry Budd had a good suggestion in running 4 mini-contests for 6  
> rounds where each pilot would fly against their group for 6  
> straight rounds and then the top 3 from each group would fly in the  
> finals.  I'm leaning toward this because the current format does  
> not work.  We also need to do something about FAI - because there  
> isn't equal exposure there either.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 2:41 PM, John Fuqua  
> <johnfuqua at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>
> Every Nats I went to that had all events in 2 weeks ended up screwing
> Pattern out of time or space.  It never failed.  I am against it even
> thought I liked to go see other events.  We cannot do a first rate  
> job when
> we compete for runway space and days to fly.
>
> I thought AMA wanted to reduce Nats costs.  Moving them around does  
> not do
> that if you look at history and read up you will find a consistent  
> comment
> about reducing Nats costs.  NPAC was fully funded by the pilots and  
> it cost
> more than a typical Nats so factor that in.
>
> No one has addressed the equal exposure to judges issues for the  
> current
> format yet and Mike's proposal does not correct that situation for  
> Masters.
> I had one person suggest to me that if we continue to use the  
> Matrix system
> that we take the top 3 pilots from each "Group" to a 3 round  
> finals.  At
> least then we have equal judging exposure and more or less equal  
> weather
> exposure per round.
>
> John
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
>
> [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Tony
> Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 2:56 PM
> To: 'General pattern discussion'
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Flash Poll - Relocate the Nats in  
> 2010?
>
> That is a possibility also.  AMA is thinking about returning the  
> NATS to a 2
> week all-events NATS like used to be done.  If all events are  
> together, HQ
> can put all costs into one effort.  If they are all split up, Each  
> group
> would have more costs to deal with due to the fact that HQ can't  
> send a
> group of people to every site.
>
>
>
> Tony Stillman, President
>
> Radio South, Inc.
>
> 139 Altama Connector, Box 322
>
> Brunswick, GA  31525
>
> 1-800-962-7802
>
> www.radiosouthrc.com
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
> [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Tim  
> Taylor
> Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 3:39 PM
> To: General pattern discussion
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Flash Poll - Relocate the Nats in  
> 2010?
>
>
>
> It was done, It was called NPAC
>
>
>
> Tim
>
> --- On Thu, 7/30/09, Bill's Email <wemodels at cox.net> wrote:
>
>
>        From: Bill's Email <wemodels at cox.net>
>        Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Flash Poll - Relocate the  
> Nats in
> 2010?
>        To: "General pattern discussion" <nsrca- 
> discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>        Date: Thursday, July 30, 2009, 2:06 PM
>
>        Why not allow the SIGS to do their own thing? IMAC and NSRCA  
> do not
> need to share a site. The LSF can find a site for the soaring NATS.  
> Pylon
> knows what venues work for them and so on. FF can do their own  
> thing as
> well. Why tie soaring and FF together and so on??
>
>
>        Tony wrote:
>
>        Matt:
>        Yes, it is just difficult to tell if it is actually  
> feasible.  The
> problem is that it requires a large site for Pattern/Pylon/IMAC and  
> will
> require another large site for Soaring/Outdoor FF.  It may be very  
> difficult
> to actually find places that can handle this group.
>
>
>
>
>
>        Tony Stillman, President
>
>        Radio South, Inc.
>
> 139 Altama Connector, Box 322
>
> Brunswick, GA   31525
>
>  1-800-962-7802
>
> www.radiosouthrc.com <http://www.radiosouthrc.com/>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
>
>
>
> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>
> _______________________________________________
> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
>
> <http://us.mc623.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=NSRCA- 
> discussion at lists.nsrca.o
> rg>
>
> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>
>
>
> Get back to school stuff for them and cashback for you. Try BingT now.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>
>
>
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.27/2258 - Release Date:  
> 08/03/09 05:57:00
>
>
> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>
> _______________________________________________
> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.42/2279 - Release Date:  
> 08/03/09 05:57:00
>
>
> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>
> _______________________________________________
> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.42/2279 - Release Date:  
> 08/03/09 05:57:00
>
>
> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>
> _______________________________________________
> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>
>
>
> <~WRD000.jpg>
> _______________________________________________
> NSRCA-discussion mailing list
> NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion



More information about the NSRCA-discussion mailing list