PG Competition Rulebook Modification Proposal

I feel the competition rulebook needs some changes for PG competition regarding points brought and rankings. Please vote yes if you support these changes at teamamerica.

Download this proposal HERE

Subject: Modifying the Computation of points brought by pilots to a Paragliding Meet.

Problem: 1. The current system is dependent on the top 10 pilots attending a meet otherwise full validity cannot be attained. 2. The system uses the previous years ranking, not the updated rankings, to determine points brought by US pilots, even though it uses an updated (monthly updated) rankings for foreign pilots. 3. Foreign pilots are not give accurate number of points based on their pilot quality/ranking.

Example: 2008 WCPC, 46 pilots competing, 525 points available. 2008 Rat Race, 88 pilots competing, 490 points available.

Proposal: Modify the range of pilots able to bring points in each category, with a max. of 600 points for any event determined by the top 15 pilots.

Currently points brought by US pilots uses is based on:

Pilots ranked 1st - 10th: 45 points
Pilots ranked 11th - 20th: 30 points
Pilots ranked 21st - 30th: 20 points
Pilots ranked 31st - 40th: 14 points
Pilots ranked 41st - 50th: 9 points
Pilots ranked 51st - 60th: 6 points
Pilots ranked 61st - 70th: 4 points
Pilots ranked 71st - 80th: 2 points

I propose modifying the range to:

Pilots ranked 1st - 15th: 45 points
Pilots ranked 16th - 30th: 30 points
Pilots ranked 31st - 45th: 20 points
Pilots ranked 46th - 60th: 15 points
Pilots ranked 61st - 75th: 10 points
Pilots ranked 76st - 80th: 5 points


If we look at the changes in points brought using this modified scale for the 2008 WCPC (ranking is currently determined by Jan 1 ranking):
12th Josh Riggs would bring 45 not 30
14th Greg Babush would bring 45 not 30
15th Jeff Wishnie would bring 45 not 30
24th Bill Hughes would bring 30 not 20
29th Eric Broyhill would bring 30 not 20
30th Tom Moock would bring 30 not 20

Validity would raise 75 points and the event changes from 525 to exactly 600 points.

If we look at the changes in points brought using this modified scale for the 2008 Rat Race (ranking is currently determined by Jan 1 ranking):
14th Greg Babush would bring 45 not 30
21st Bill Belcort would bring 30 not 20
24th Bill Hughes would bring 30 not 20
25th Len Szafaryn would bring 30 not 20
27th Riss Estes would bring 30 not 20
30th Tom Moock would bring 30 not 20

Validity would raise 65 points and the event changes from 490 to 555 points.

Foreign Pilots bring points based on their WPRS ranking. The rulebook currently states: The NTSS ranking is made up only of U.S. pilots. However, the NTSS
recognizes, for the purpose of points calculation, an equivalent foreign pilot's
ranking according to the most current WPRS ranking with the top 20 places equal to the top 10 U.S. pilots and the WPRS ranking 21 through 40 equal to the NTSS 11 to 20 and so on up to WPRS 140 through 160 equal to NTSS 70 through 80.

The current system does not accurately reflect the pilot quality of foreign pilots with points brought.

I propose changing the number of pilots bringing points to:

Pilots ranked 1st - 100th: 45 points
Pilots ranked 101st - 200th: 30 points
Pilots ranked 201st - 300th: 20 points
Pilots ranked 301st - 400th: 15 points
Pilots ranked 401st - 500th: 10 points
Pilots ranked 501st - 600th: 5 points


Right now USA has 16 pilots in the top 300 WPRS & 16 more pilots ranked 301-600 WPRS. Noting this, a change much greater than I propose will more accurately reflect pilot quality (such as pilots ranked 1st – 300th bring 45 points, 301st – 600th bring 30 points) but I propose taking a smaller step at improving this factor.

Foreign pilots rankings are determined from the previous months update of WPRS, which comes out on the 1st of each month. Any competition starting on the 2nd or later of a month would use that months WPRS ranking.

I also propose that we use a monthly update for determining US pilot ranking and points brought. The Interim Ranking in now on the USHPA website and Dave Wheeler quickly updates the rankings after a competition. I propose we use the previous 1st of the month’s update for determining US pilot ranking & corresponding points brought.

These rules will be applied to all PG competitions, new and previous (similar to CIVIL reformulating WPRS rankings when there are changes) but not before the 2009 PG Worlds Team is determined using the existing rules/formula.


Current Rulebook beta for reference:

USHGA 2006 Competition Rule Book Page 20
D. Computation
1. Each competing pilot in the meet (a competing pilot is one who has duly
registered and flown at least one competition day) who is NTSS ranked 80th or
higher brings points to the meet in accordance with the following schedule:
Pilots ranked 1st - 10th: 45 points
Pilots ranked 11th - 20th: 30 points
Pilots ranked 21st - 30th: 20 points
Pilots ranked 31st - 40th: 14 points
Pilots ranked 41st - 50th: 9 points
Pilots ranked 51st - 60th: 6 points
Pilots ranked 61st - 70th: 4 points
Pilots ranked 71st - 80th: 2 points
2. To compute the points available in a meet, add the points brought by the top
fifteen pilots up to a maximum of 600 points.

The points earned for first place in the meet is the total of the points brought to
the meet by the top 15 pilots (up to a maximum of 600 points) plus 10%.
All other pilots earn points based on the following formula: (Pilots total
score/Winner's total score) x (Winner's points - 10% bonus).

E. Foreign Pilots
1. Per CIVL rules, a pilot is considered a foreign pilot until he has lived in the
U.S. as an Immigration Service designated permanent resident for over 3 years.
Other foreign born pilots living in the U.S. may be designated U.S. pilots by the
CC on a case by case basis.
2. Foreign pilots are welcome and allowed in USHGA Sanctioned competitions.
3. The NTSS ranking is made up only of U.S. pilots. However, the NTSS
recognizes, for the purpose of points calculation, an equivalent foreign pilot's
ranking according to the most current WPRS ranking with the top 20 places equal
to the top 10 U.S. pilots and the WPRS ranking 21 through 40 equal to the NTSS
11 to 20 and so on up to WPRS 140 through 160 equal to NTSS 70 through 80.

files/ntss.points.pdf