Brett, could you 'splain what it is that doesn't count for as much in FAI....similar loop sizes (aka shapes), intersections, or tracking? In 2001, it was said to be bottoms and intersections, according to PW. Is it now ALL about the corners in F2B and nothing else?
K-factor.
This looks very similar to what I (and everyone else) saw in 2004, the very knowledgable crowd was going apesh*t when they saw some particular, highly experienced with very good contest records FAI fliers who did some maneuvers with what I can only describe as questionable concentration and attention. When Derek says that only 3 maneuver matter, that's only partly true, but when a 4-time World Champion does 3 bounces on a takeoff, and then comes out with a very high score, it leads to some, well, negative opinions being expressed.
I am sure any of these guys *could* do it, they just don't because it doesn't matter very much. Having buried myself in it for a few months ahead of time, in support of Ted's effort, I could see how you would look at it their way. But lots of very knowledgable and experienced fliers showed up looking to be blown away, and left shaking their heads.
As an side, many of the other FAI pilots did excellent flights throughout that would have scored well in AMA, too, the Yatsenkos in particular looking like they could make the flyoff in normal circumstances. But a lot of these guys would have done great in a NATs, but finished way down at the WC.
Brett