This is something that we have all been chatting about for a few years now. At this point the league has grown to a level where we can support a 3rd class. Here’s the rundown:
CLASSES: Swoopleague consists of three classes, a Beginner , an Intermediate class, and a Pro class. All pilots will have the opportunity to place themself in the beginner or intermediate class(whichever is appropriate). Qualification by the rules below will be required for the Pro class. All classes will operate in accordance with USPA competition rules, here are the main differences in courses for each class:
Beginner:
Distance: entry gates=3 meters, 1.5 meter exit gate at 50 meters.(same as 2016 amateur)
Speed: entry gates 3 meters, 1.5 meter exit gate(same as 2016 amateur)
Accuracy: Infinity gates will be used for gate 1. Water drag will not be penalized but required for water points. Water gate points will be awarded for flying below the 1.5 meter bouys. If balls are used for gates 2-4, judges will “judge” the 1.5 meter fly over. Benefit of the doubt will be given to the competitor and no whining will be permitted.
Who competes in this class: Competitors in the beginner are learning the world of competitive canopy piloting. If it’s your first season competing, this is definitely the place for you.
Turn and WL : Those who are jumping noncrossbraced canopies are usually in the 1.5-1.9 range. Those who are jumping xbraced wings are typically in the 1.8-2.2 range. Some are slightly higher, some are slightly lower. Competitors in this class will utilize no greater than a 270 degree turn at a wing loading no greater than 2.50
Canopy restrictions: Ultra high performance canopies such as Peregrine, Petra, HK, or other super duper swoop machines will not be permitted in this class. If you can jump one of these, you are not a beginner swooper. If you are a beginner swooper and you have acquired one of these canopies, give it back now, before you die.
Intermediate:
Distance: entry gates-1.5 meters(no water touch), 1.5 meter exit gate at 50 meters.
Speed: entry gates-1.5 meters. 1.5 meters entire course.
Accuracy: no change, same as pro.
Who competes in this class: Competitors who have a fair amount of competition experience, have already gained an understanding of the rules, and have mastered the beginner level courses may wish to step up to the intermediate class. If it’s your first season competing, this is probably not the place for you, a 1.5 meter entry gate is not as easy as it sounds. This class is much more competitive and designed to hone skills before stepping up to the pro class.
Turn and WL : Most of the competitors in this class are jumping xbraced wings typically loaded in the 2.1-2.5 range. Some are slightly higher, some are slightly lower. Competitors in this class most commonly utilize turns ranging from 270-630 degrees. Competitors are limited to no greater than a 270 degree turn if loaded above 2.80
Canopy restrictions: Ultra high performance canopies such as Peregrine, Petra, HK, or other super duper swoop machines will not be permitted in this class. The top performers in this class may be able to pilot one of these wings, but in a competition setting safety comes first and these wings are not intermediate swoop canopies. Those who own one of these canopies and wish to compete will be asked to fly a more appropriate wing until they have met one below listed criteria to compete in the PRO class.
PRO: same as pro rules last year. pilots must be pro qualified by the rules below. no canopy restrictions, no wingloading restrictions.
Here’s a link to where the info on these classes will live: https://swoopleague.com/historyabout/about/
Stay tuned the 2017 schedule is coming soon!!!!
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