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<title>[NSRCA-discussion] D3 Championship </title>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Ryan M.,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I think this takes the cake as a first
time nsrca-list email. Thank you for the support.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Jim</span></font></st1:PersonName><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> W.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
nsrca-discussion-bounces@lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces@lists.nsrca.org]
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>McLaughlin, Ryan
(FRS.JAX)<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, October 17, 2007
1:19 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b>
nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [NSRCA-discussion] D3
Championship</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>This
is my first post to the NSRCA list as I am a bit 'internet shy', but I thought
I might be able to add some value to the FAI judging discussion <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">Jim</st1:PersonName> W started. Although I tend to err on the
side of diplomacy : ), I believe the feelings <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Jim</st1:PersonName>
expressed are legitimate and shared by many FAI competitors throughout the
country. As a long time participant, I realize that bias is not a new
problem but I do not think we should accept this is as a "fact of
life" and move on. I think we have an excellent opportunity here and
we should make the most of it.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The
primary issue to address in my opinion is not disparity in judging standards
between judges, though as Earl points out, this is important. Rather, it
is the different standard applied to pilots within one score set--i.e.. scoring
a pilot lower or higher based on who he is. Our penchant for creating
"superstars" is the most discouraging aspect of FAI
competition. To remedy this, we must all make a conscious decision to
change a long established tradition in our sport. Are we ready to take
this on?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Complaining
isn't the answer and neither is staying quiet, a mistake that has made the FAI
competitors as responsible as anyone else for the situation. To this end,
I submit for your review the following ideas to specifically target the FAI
bias issue:</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>1.
Sacrifice one FAI round per contest to serve as an "open" round for
all contestants expected to judge FAI during the event. Allow everyone to
compare notes and use this as a coaching opportunity.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>2.
Drop one FAI pilot to Masters at each contest to serve as a judge for all
rounds and use volunteers from other classes to serve as the others. This
would have to be an agreement made among FAI pilots.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>3.
Extend the pilots meeting to go over specific issues, maybe a new one or two
every meet rather than just pointing out the landing zone, etc. Make a
"mini" judging seminar mandatory each contest.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>4.
Certify judges for FAI on a volunteer basis and only use "certified"
judges in the contest.</span></font> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>5.
Utilize peer judging, in other words, have FAI pilots judge themselves.
If a pilot is not flying, he is judging his fellow competitors.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Some
of this may seem radical, but I believe there is room for a bit of this.
Pattern belongs to us right? I welcome any ideas or critique anyone can
offer. I will clarify any of the above upon request.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Thank
you for your consideration.</span></font> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Ryan
McLaughlin</span></font> <br>
<font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Eustis,
<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:State></span></font>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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