Suggestions for the organization of the SGP FAI

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CristianoConrado
Posts: 140
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:43 am

Suggestions for the organization of the SGP FAI

Post by CristianoConrado » Sat Aug 06, 2022 8:25 pm

Hello guys,

The SGP in Livno is being incredible and it is fulfilling everything that is programmed in the rules and the model already established, however, I believe that in order to get the most that Condor can offer us in immersion, some changes would be possible:

1 - No visible icons - We can reset the distance of the icons and we would control our collision risks by the FLARM/PDA, which would keep the tracking distance as in real life (6-12Km).
This would not interfere with spectator mode or broadcasts, as the icon restriction rules do not apply to it.
For such a change, we depend on a change in Condor, which links the distance of visible icons with the tracking distance by the FLARM/PDA. No icons = no FLARM/PDA.
We need to change that to open up this possibility.
As some FLARMs already include an identification of the surrounding gliders, a number or a color could be added to the glider symbol itself in the FLARM/PDA.
This would bring an increase in realism and curb some undesirable behavior among competitors.

2 - We have numerous navigation features on Condor's PDA - Visible turning points is a suitable aid for beginners, not SGP/FAI level races.
I suggest disabling this.

3 - Like turning points, visibility of penalty zones is unnecessary and can be bypassed with the alarm setup on XCSoar, LK8000 or other PDA.
COTACO already automatically creates the file with the Penalty Zones of the race.

4 - No real time score - It give important information in a unreal way, about all other pilots. Disabling it do not affect the spectator mode.

I reinforce that all the points presented here are suggestions and in no way does it not recognize the effort and quality of the organization of the SGP FAI.

Greetings;

Cristiano [CON]
Last edited by CristianoConrado on Mon Aug 08, 2022 2:50 am, edited 1 time in total.

CristianoConrado
Posts: 140
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:43 am

Re: Suggestions for the organization of the SGP FAI

Post by CristianoConrado » Sun Aug 07, 2022 8:30 pm

5 - Disable the F5 view: Someones can check altitude and thermal strenght of pilots ahead, choose to stay on actual thermal or not, even not take the detour other piilots did for a weak one.
If it is there enable, people will use it.
Not ideal setup for a fair race.
In the end of the day, seconds can be the diference of 2 or 5 positions / 200-500 points.

CircusOz
Posts: 51
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2019 11:29 am

Re: Suggestions for the organization of the SGP FAI

Post by CircusOz » Mon Aug 08, 2022 3:48 am

Cristiano, thank you for live streaming the competition. Its very informative to watch in real time how the best pilots approach the same task. As a relative novice there is much in these videos to absorb and learn .

2) I assume you mean the visible blue cylinders / barber shop poles that go from ground to sky on the landscape visible outside the cockpit ? As a spectator watching a livestream they are useful because it shows you what the pilot is aiming for . As a spectator we can't always see the xcsoar screen or choose PDA screen number 1 at any given moment to see where the glider is in the scheme of things . But as a competitor it doesn't imitate the real world .

4) Real time scores : very useful to a spectator . It emphasises the excitement of the race.

In almost all other sports that I can think of live scores are part and parcel of the contest . Its what makes them . Whether its soccer , table tennis , chess , athletics , etc everyone is aware of one's position in the contest in real time. I can't imagine how any of these sports would be conducted without known scores. Technology has now made gliding similar in this respect .

One perspective: if I'm trailing the leaders , the score tells me I must improve . If I'm leading there is added pressure if I see those behind catching up .

Again , thank you for your streams , they offer a window into how the masters fly and gives the novices like me an opportunity to do much better.

CristianoConrado
Posts: 140
Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:43 am

Re: Suggestions for the organization of the SGP FAI

Post by CristianoConrado » Mon Aug 08, 2022 6:02 am

Thank you for the answer.

The oficial FAI live stream transmission, has all the icons / turnpoint alowed and they can acess all the pilots live streams.

They have all options of view: satelite view with names and trail lines enabled, external view, cockpit view.

They have all the tools to make the trasmission interesting.
The unreal view option do not need to be available to the pilots.

The real time score for the players could be a reality for many sports, but not for soaring races yet. The spectator can keep acess to it, but not the pilots.

We can see there is people ahead of us by PDA/FLARM, but not all the details, altitude, speed, vario info...

You need to remember, knowing the relative position of a glider in front and above you it is not a big factor when you have a regata start but in a race with start window makes not clear if someone is faster than you or not. It change your decisions during the race, so: removing tab score is not as relevant for SGP (Regata), as removing icons, visible turnpoints areas and F5 view.

Salute!

ROC
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2018 12:35 am

Re: Suggestions for the organization of the SGP FAI

Post by ROC » Tue Aug 09, 2022 3:41 pm

Hello guys,

I often watch streams of Cristiano races, and I always learn something from his pertinent/technical comments, while I have a lot of fun listening to his surgical and fine humor.

I agree with all his suggestions for the organization of the SGP FAI. (which aim to make the competitions more realistic, from the competitor's point of view)
By the way, these suggestions are already being tested and successfully implemented by the Virtualsoaring.eu team. on racing tasks everyday.

Server [C2] TRIPS opening at 19:00 UTC.

Greetings;

Rogerio [ROC]

havet865
Posts: 80
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2018 11:35 am

Re: Suggestions for the organization of the SGP FAI

Post by havet865 » Wed Oct 19, 2022 10:38 am

Hi guys,

Thanks a lot for the feedback!

Some answers:

1) This has been discussed already. Issue will be fixed with Condor V3 if it has an upgraded GPS/on Board Computer.
For now, we will keep doing this as it is. But it's in the loop for a change ;-)

2) We are forced to use them due to spectator mode. Moreover, we believe that someone using a real GPS connected to condor with XCSoar or any other tool has a strong advantage to navigate, compared to someone who has a small laptop and a light/simple joystick. We keep it as it is UFN.

3) Same issue as above. Only top pilots have their own PDAs.

4) For VSGP that is not possible. Everyone knows the position of the pilot in front and it is very important to make it work like this. It's like Formula1, you get plenty of info and try to manage them the best you can to catch up your opponents.
For other formats (eSports Series, World Cup etc..) that is a different story for sure!
Real time score will always be available via the livestreaming though...

5) Issue is recognized has a possible issue. Same as for 1), Condor 3 will improve safety for everyone with the upcoming tools.
F5 view is still there for safety reasons, for pilots that do need an external view to enter safely a thermal or else.


Thank you for the great input and thank you for the livestreaming of your races!
There have been too many events on the calendar to ensure proper livestreaming of the races, due to overlapping of some events.
We will pay particular attention to next year's calendar to ensure smooth operations and some time off in between the event for both the pilots & organisers.

Some news coming up in a few days/weeks.

1st FAI Virtual World Cup is delayed for now UFN, as the IGC Virtual Gliding Working Group is just being (finally) put in place in the coming days with the IGC president.


Hope to fly online with you soon, it's been a while!!
Kind regard and enjoy flying,

Antoine

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