I *love* the idea of a "novice" or "intro" class as a short-term entree' to Sportsman, one of the big advantages is that it offers the Sportsman competitors a chance to learn to judge maneuvers (which actually helps our own flying as well) in a less rushed and intense manner than judging intermediate or advanced. I get (sort of) the concern about splitting the contestants further but it doesn't feel like it should really be an issue novice would pull in folks who aren't competing today, some small % of them would get bitten by "the pattern bug" and eventually land in sportsman. It would help to identify folks that we can "take under our wing" and, in the spirit of the virtuous cycle of "Learn->Teach->Learn" sportsmen could offer to call + coach for the novice guys to get them up to sportsman level over time.

Completely agree with Tony, it was a lot of fun and probably the most fun I've had at a pattern contest when NOT flying, but the flying was not as much fun for me as at other contests, I did enjoy calling for and guiding Chris Walker though. I hope he comes back for more, he definitely seemed bitten, though I think his weekend time is limited by his business.

Peter+