It takes the smootness of IMAC with the ability of 3d to make a top competition pilot. Weather judged or unjudged being able to fly a smooth sequence developes the potential of the pilot. This is weather 3ding or not. All the top pilots come from a pattern/IMAC background. If you watch long enough you can tell who has the extensive pattern background, IMAC background and who is just into 3d. So if you want to improve your rolling harriers 3ft off the deck then do some IMAC and you will understand.