Shawn - I appreciate your comments - especially about perfecting vs. flying... that is a very good point. The objective is to fly the sequence perfectly - no just fly it well - fly it perfect

I have to travel to compete - so I am not going to fly Basic - even if it is the right thing to do. I'm not worried about flying unknowns or burning out from over practice. But Basic is only flown ont he first day at most contests...

I think this year I'll forego IMAC and fly at 3 or 4 pattern contests close to home - likely in Imtermediate. That will give me a good grounding, get me used to scoring, being judged and expose me to some great flyers and feedback. Then when I do travel to fly IMAC I'll be way more prepared... just seems to make sense rather than flying a long way at a lot of expense and struggling through the weekend.

The advice has been great - thanks. Hopefully in a few years I'll get to actually meet some of the great flyers I have seen in video. I have been thinking I should just fly to Tuson to spectate some time. That would be awesome.