Terry Reynolds <<terryreynolds2>>
writes:

I know better than to engage you and your Oz Report in a pissing
contest. As does everyone else, and so you're shielded from any kind of
criticism. Ask a few people who has been your most ardent, vocal supporter. I
just got a text from a longtime pilot, "How do you love Davis now?" As I've told
many, and still believe, you are very smart, impeccably honest and probably the
most knowledgeable person in the world regarding hang gliding competition.
Having said that, I also believe you are the most harmful person in the hang
gliding family. Why so consistently dwell on the negative?

You are only hurting what little remains of a sport we both love. The two pilots
in your recent posts express negative views, though neither was there. How about
the vast majority of contestants who said they had a spectacularly good
experience, despite freak weather? Though it was necessary and prudent to cancel
four days, the best WPRS pilots in the world called three excellent tasks. Do
you only cut and paste? You didn’t call me, nor anyone else I dare say. What
kind of journalism is that?

In response to Gordon Rigg's comments, can you say “sour grapes?" If you're
unfamiliar with the expression, it's putting something down just because you
can't have it. Maybe next year’s organizers, if there are any, can make it a
pro/am so Gordon can attend. And maybe he will act on his excellent idea to
subsidize non-U.S. pilots' transportation, though it is hard to believe he can
or will.

As to the anonymous and ignorant “The pilot writes”: he is apparently more
knowledgeable than longtime Colorado hang glider pilot and retired NOAA weather
expert Rich Jesuroga, as well as the Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State
University. Too bad he hasn't come forward earlier to save all the comps around
the world this year from so many stopped tasks and canceled days.

The two perennial U.S. contests, both in excellent aerotow soaring venues,
suffer year over year losses in participation, particularly in Sport Class.
Dinosaur 2015 attracted fifteen Sport Class competitors; the other two meets
have eleven combined. Through Rocky Mountain Glider Company, LLC, we attempted
to inspire new and longtime competitors to come to an exciting, scenic venue
that had proved popular (100 plus yearly) back in competition’s glory days.

Let’s face it, hang gliding as a whole, and competition in particular, are
dying. Hang gliding has been an important part of Chris’ and my lives for about
35 years. We have always thought that competition was a very important part of
promoting our sport. Despite major health and family issues, we put considerable
money, time and our reputations where are mouths are. We in no way regret it.