Just bought the video of this event hosted in Troy Ohio. Is it just me or are the only ones that win these contests are the people that are well known in this hobby. IMHO there were 2 other airplane pilots that performed much better then the winner Chip Hyde, and 2-3 pilots flew a better routine then Curtis Youngblood. I guess this is the reason I gave up competition, if you're not a household name, you're not going to win,show or place.

Any opinions??

I have to agree with you on some points. I was at XFC and got to witness it first hand. I think Garret Morrison and Matt Stek both flew wonderfully and out perfomed Chip Hide. As for the helicopter pilots. Jason Kraus flew a very agressive and difficult sequence but he also had a crash earlier in the comp. Curtiss nailed everything perfectly. He was very smooth and I never saw him make any corrections at all. He was just dead on perfect.

Just remember, that video only shows ONE routine per pilot taken across the three days of competition. It does NOT show all of the routines. Not only that, but it seems you are making your statement based solely on your personal preference of what type of flying looks best to you. Are you even familiar with the Judging criteria and rules which were in place for the XFC? Fred Johnson (probably one of the most respected aerobatic judges in the country for IMAC, TOC, and IAC) put together the rules and hand picked the judges based on their experience and knowledge. The judges panel at the XFC read off like a who's who and you will see many of them at the TOC in October.

So I guess they decided in the video to show everyone elses best flight and Chip's and Curtis's worst flights?

One good flight doesn't win a contest. I've not seen the XFC video, but from other contest I've seen on video, it's very difficult to judge based on tape. The camera is usually in to tight to judge lines and precision. About the only thing you can judge is style. From having seen Matt and Garret fly other places they would have better style, but not the precision that Chip has.

Tracy Hill

The best two pilots won. Chip and Curtis could fly a garbage can to perfection and win. It was not a popularity contest it was who flew the best and most precise. The best two pilots won as is the case in any contest.

I was at the xfc too. I have to agree that the two first place winners did perform the best overall. However, they got company knocking on their door and better never stop practicing if they wish to stay there. Thanks, Jeff Williams.