Re: US Team Selection Program points system, was mounting wingposts

From: ray_harlan <rbharlan_at_comcast.net>
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:15:37 -0000

I'd like to comment on the US Team Selection Program, having been on
the committee since its inception in 1974. Prior to that time, the US
had only a few World Champions and a couple of Team Champions. In '74,
the poles came to Lakehurst and waxed us soundly. As Steve pointed out,
the qualifications for the team finals were to get 75% of the top
score. However, at many regional contests, no one flew seriously so
that every entrant could get 75% (termed "sandbagging"). Our teams
didn't have the depth and experience needed to compete with the well-
developed international competition.

Erv Rodemsky was instrumental in getting a Team Selection Committee
organized and revising the program to make fliers work to get on the
team. The initial program required 2 regionals, at 100 points each,
plus the finals at 1000 points. In subsequent years, the program was
tweaked, and at one point had locals, regionals and finals. It has
settled to counting one regional meet at 100 points and the final for
1000. In 1976, the US swept the World Champs and since then has only
lost a few individual and team championships. I think the program has
amply proven its worth.
Received on Mon Jul 16 2007 - 05:15:43 CEST