This explanation about Weight Category is linked to Leon Olmo's Report "What we want" : Check it here !
A practical solution to the ballast problem:
Offer several categories based on the certified maximum weight range of wings to remove a major incentives for ballast. Each competitor can then compete in their weight category on more even ground.
Specifications
Categories
| Weight Range (KG) | Categorie Name |
|---|---|
| < 70 | Flyweight |
| 71-80 | Featherweight |
| 81-90 | Lightweight |
| 91-100 | Middleweight |
| 101-110 | Cruiseweight |
| > 111 | Heavyweight |
Identification and checks
Colored glider sticker :
Allow easy identification on the ground (easy check) and in the air (competitor identification)
Frequently Asked Question
Other solutions attempt to compensate for a physical and natural advantage. Sometimes such advantage has been hardly gained through diet and regular gym practice. There is no such performance compensation on downhill biking, ski, or foil racing competition. Every sport tend to define an optimum morphotype. Too small to play basketball too tall to be a Jockey.
A better solution is to spread the field according to realistic performance, like in wrestling, boxing, Judo... We can all fly together and let pilots compete in their respective category like it is the case for the Women Category or the Junior Category right now.
A better solution is to spread the field according to realistic performance, like in wrestling, boxing, Judo... We can all fly together and let pilots compete in their respective category like it is the case for the Women Category or the Junior Category right now.
There are over 7000 ranked pilots. Competitions are mostly fully subscribed. As long as there are at least six (6) pilots in a category (Sporting Code) we can designate a winner and can provide a fair competition. Additional medals are good to promote the sport. The increased number of categories may result in a greater variety of NAC/nations participating in podiums.
The feather weight title has never diluted the heavy weight champion in boxing. People usually acknowledge it is a different achievement.
The feather weight title has never diluted the heavy weight champion in boxing. People usually acknowledge it is a different achievement.
As soon as there are medals awarded, it is expected that brands have more incentive and willingness to provide better equipment across all weight ranges.
There are different solutions: One would be to just filter for a given weight categorie like it is the case right now for Women or Junior. Another more detailed solution is described here.
For now this topic requires further discussion. It could function like in the olympics where each NAC sends a small delegation, choosing how to distribute them across weight classes. More about this here.
What are the main strengths of this approach?
- No compensation for natural, physical or acquired advantage but a fairer solution to everyone.
- Easy to implementation and verify based on the wings certification (label or sticker on the wing).
- Freedom of choice and immediate solution for light pilots to be competitive within their category.
What are the main downsides?
- No more overall winner or diluted champion of a rather small community.
- Lack of inclusivity. Different races or different competitiveness depending on weight.
- Pilots may decide to still ballast up to be competitive overall, compete in a larger pilot cohort or fly a larger "safer" wing.
- No real team championship setup proposed so far.