Stephan Mentler writes:

As a pilot with a vested interest in the Sport Class competition
and the selection of a U.S. team, I would like to provide my perspective
regarding a U.S. sport class national team selection system and who can fly in
the sport class generally. I have provided my inputs on U.S. team selection to
the USHPA decision makers.

Let me begin by stating for the upcoming sport class worlds, participation
should be limited to only those pilots that have flown a sport class event. I
believe it inherently unfair to the French or any other pilots who competed on
king-posted gliders in a sport class competition to be usurped by Open Class
pilots who have not flown a sport class event, regardless of their credentials.
CIVL has an international ranking system for the sport class that easily
provides a template for team pilot selection.

I take a contrarian point of view with regard to who can compete in the sport
class. I believe that sport class should be treated as stand alone class in a
manner similar to that of Class 2 and 5 hang gliders. For example, if a Zack,
Mitch, or Davis wanted to be on the sport class world team they could so long as
they actually competed in the sport class, were ranked in a sport class specific
selection system and were at top of the field. Put differently, I see the
concept as being a sport class with its own NTSS ranking – there would be no
crossover of points from one class to the other but pilots could fly either
class as they desired.

To continue with the example, once a Mitch or you were satisfied that they were
going to make the open class national team because of their performance over the
requisite number of competitions, Mitch could break out his Freedom, you a
Falcon 4 or Sport 2, and fly in a sport class competition, if you wanted to. I
believe it would bolster the sport class and competition overall. It would
entice recreational pilots to compete as they could fly against accomplished
pilots in similarly matched gliders.

And since it is common practice to handicap the sport class in the U.S., factory
pilots showing up with king posted rocket ships would not necessarily have an
equipment advantage. I believe it would entice senior/former competition pilots
the opportunity to compete against one another in a lower stress environment
(Sport Class seems to be more laid back than open), again with similarly matched
king-posted gliders. I believe removing restrictions from who can compete in the
sport class would bolster the validity of the sport class. Thanks for
highlighting this issue Davis.