Mike,

Bill has done an excellent job of telling you how to do the perfect spin. Unfortunately, we don't have perfect judges. I'm letting you know that, so that you can expect it. That's why I said this in an earlier post and it made you feel that you would get worse scores if the nose didn't drop first:

"you sometimes have to fly what will get the best score with the majority of judges. By the book, the perfect spin has 'simultaneous movement in roll, pitch, and yaw'. There are many judges that would zero the perfect spin because they didn't see the nose drop first to prove you stalled. To play the percentages, I always let the nose drop some before initiating the spin. A slightly lower score from a judge that knows the criteria, but I stay away from the zeroes from the misinformed judges. "

It doesn't happen often, but you will find that misinformed judge, and usually at the worst time. Don't worry too much. It sounds like you'll be getting nice scores.

Good luck with this contest season!!!

Dean Bird
Sun Valley Fliers
Phoenix, AZ