I thought you likely meant that Sky.Yet in reality all of the manuevers become ground reference manuevers too because of our orientation to the judges podium or central point ofviewing.The crosswind from in front beingthe most troublesome; I used to watch my downline out of the split S and just prior to level flight sneak in a bit of nose to the upwind side, probably worked because I was in Novice/Advanced and they didn't care too much. It also helped while slowing for the spin, since you're looking up a good angle it could be hard to perceive a bit of roll toward the upwind side too. In either case it was easier, JMHO, to spin toward the upwind side then, but as you say watch the exit so that the line continues as it started. All so easy isn't it...LOL. Have a good day Sky.
Mark
ORIGINAL: Skylane
Hook,
You are correct that the wind shouldn't affect the spin since the plane would be moving with the air mass - unless you are trying to enter the spin from a line parallel to the flight line and centered on the judges. Then you have to make some heading adjustments to make the entry look correct from the ground. Also, the exit has to have the wings perpendicular to the flight line (1 downgrade for each 15 degrees of error). So, a contest spin becomes a ground reference, not wind reference, maneuver. That's part of the challenge. In such situations a left or right entry may have appearance advantages depending on the direction of the cross wind.
Jeff