Shakey fingers are the most obvious sign of inadequate mental preparation.

Performing in the big F3A competitions requires three things:
1. Great equipment
2. Great piloting ability - knowing the equipment, knowing the sequence, knowing the conditions
3. Ability to perform better than you've ever flown in practice in front of the judges

The first two are learned at your home field during practice sessions. The third is learned at big competitions by trial and error ('experience') and from research of how others do it. The research is generally from books in the area of sports psychology.

The first technique I tried was extreme relaxation prior to the flight and even during the flight. I used this in Poland at the 03 WC. It doesn't work too tell, because you fly a little worse than your practice sessions' best. The second I tried at Muncie 05 and France 05 WC. I read about in sports psychology books and in a few research papers. It recommends preparing for the competition flight by psyching yourself up with thoughts of the upcoming flight being excellent and the excellent flight itself (what you will do as the pilot). This one works great for me.

-Adam Glatt