If you can't get past the bias in judging once in a great while (not only in the pattern world though) and just fly pattern because you enjoy it, and compete because you enjoy the people, and the atmosphere, then it's probably best you don't compete in anything really. Go sit in the corner and stare at the wall. hehe. There's bias in every sport, period! You don't see a hockey player quit cuz he got hooked and the ref saw it, but didn't call it cuz he's known to like the other team. Football, Nascar.. I could go on and on.

Seriously, I wouldn't quit competing because of that. Don't think many others would. Pattern declined for many reasons. Money, time, ease of getting 3d planes at cheap prices a long time ago. The glam from flying 3d (not bashing it, I fly it too). Make pattern planes easier to afford, then your attendance will improve some. Make gas prices go down, it may improve some. I've said it for years now. If it wasn't for the people/companies that help me out, I probably would not be able to afford pattern either. I would just get me a Yak or something and fly 3D at my home field cuz it's fun too. But cheaper.

Some D7 contests are down because of personal issue's/economy issue's/gas costs/timing conflicts and so on. It has 0 to do with bias! I think we are pretty good here about Bias. Does it exist, maybe once in a great while. Perhaps... But D7 is a HUGE district on the map. It's hard to justify spending $500 to go down to a southern contest from up north, or vice versa when there are enough contests you can attend in either the north or the south to satisfy your pattern craving. That's the great thing about D7 IMO. I know I couldn't or wouldn't go down south to fly if there was only a few contests in this district. It wouldn't increase the amount of people at the contest IMO. I would just stay home and fly. And not compete. So I do feel money is an issue somewhat. That's also why D7 doesn't have a great attendance at the nats. It costs so darn much to get there because it is so far! and the long trip is misery!

FYI, We had plenty of attendance last year at plenty of contests. This year the weather has been a big issue. Many of us didn't go to Phx because of it, and that also stopped some from going to Hesperia. I do feel that the North has grown a bit. But we are seeing some interest from a few new guys down south and also the San Diego crew (who are a fun bunch!)

Pattern for me comes down to something simple. I love to fly it. I love the people! And I love the contests! Win, lose. I don't care. I watch plenty of people come out and have the best time competing knowing they may take last place every contest. Cuz it all came down to the same simple reasons that I said. I have huge amounts of respect for those people!

Don't take the winning so serious and you will become a better pilot. I know it helped me.

Chris