Hang Gliding and Paragliding Volume 44 / Issue 3: March 2014 | Page 47

Based on the knowledge the organization gained this
year, there have been discussions about making other
changes to the format. One of the main concerns is that if
a pilot hadn’t been able to participate during the first few
months, he/she had no chance of competing in the overall
standings. Therefore, some people who would have been
involved weren't motivated to join. In order to combat this,
a variation in the rules is being considered: Only one task
will be released each month, but pilots will be able to run
any route at any time and submit their best time for the
task, instead of for the month. With this change, if a pilot
shows up in July, he or she can still run and submit times
for the May and June tasks.
The other idea on the table (because race starts are
so much fun and educational) is to designate a day each
month that looks favorable to have a group start time. To
submit this task for scoring, a pilot isn’t required to hit the
actual start time, but we want to see everyone lined up to

start and race the course side-by-side. Next year, the event
will also offer T-shirts for sale, but there still will be no
cost to enter the event. Proceeds from the shirts will be
allotted to the prize money and shirt designer. 
At the end of the season, with a successful event
having been completed, the Point Rat Series creators and
UHGPGA are excited to share their event concept with
other flying clubs and sites. One of the most vital pieces to
the longevity and growth of a pilot is a strong community
of mentors within a sharing- and learning-based environment. This format has been very successful and has taught
the community much through a huge variety of experiences. The creators and UHGPGA would be thrilled to
see other clubs adopting the event.
Many thanks to all who participated in the race series,
to those who invested their time and ideas in the creation
of the event, and to the UHGPGA for their amazing and
generous support of their club members. 

ABOVE Steve Forslund returning to the famous POTM upper bench | photo by Neil McGarry.

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

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