The Contest Board just added language to clear up the confusion that existed at the Nats. As it stands, one round must be kept from each day plus the one best discarded round. That was the original intent of the modufied matrix. There are valid arguments for both methods as I discussed in my previous post. I wish there was a way to keep the best 4 without the potential for avoiding competing against a blowout pilot, but I can't think of one. What would be really nice is to not need the matrix at all, but that would require full-time judges similar to the way it's done at the World's.
Verne Koester
ORIGINAL: TonyF
Verne,
The system that was used at the Nats this year was to take the best 4 rankings, not the best from each day and then the best leftover as is currently in the rules. It was what was announced at the pilot's meeting and used throughout qualifying. There was no conscious decision to do that but rather that was how the head of scoring interpreted the rules and that was how qualification was calculated. I do agree, the way this years Nats qualifying was done was fine.
Honestly, I started reading the rules regarding qualifying after the Nats began. They are very confusing and somewhat open to interpretation. But if the desire was to return to requiring a score from each qualifying day I would disagree with that.
Rick,
Thanks for your kind comments. When I go to the Nats I try to do my best. When my best wasn't good enough this year I was very glad to see you win. You truly deserved it.