Technical Freestyle

Contents

• Introduction
• Competiton Format
• Compulsory Themes
• Copyright, Usage and Distribution Policy

Introduction

This describes a new competition format for sport kite flying, primarily aimed (initially, at least) at individual fliers. The competition is called "Technical Freestyle" and is based around a loose interpretation of a league-style precision event.

It is designed to showcase the skills of the pilots in controlling their kites and to promote the creative and technically demanding aspects of radical freestyle flying. The structure of the competition allows fliers of all skill levels to compete side-by-side, providing a basic framework by which their comparative rankings and individual progress can be recorded.

The format is designed to be as open as possible to encourage participation and reduce the burden on competitors, judges and organisers. Little preparation is required, allowing competitors to simply turn up on the day, or enter on a whim. Those that prefer more preparation are free to formulate and practice a routine in advance.

The competition consists of a single discipline flown over a single round. Each competitor flies once and is given a score from 0-100. These represent the final scores and can be used to formulate ranking tables, combined with results from other competitions, used to chart individual progress, and so on. Anyone is free to enter for fame, fortune and profit, or just for fun.

Features

• Simple competition format
• Easy to compete and judge
• Interesting to watch
• Promotes better flying
• Encourages more creative flying
• Allows fliers of all skill levels to compete together

Competition Format

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to devise and fly a routine which lasts no more than 3 minutes. Within that routine you should include flying which demonstrates 4 key themes, chosen by the competition organisers in advance.

Each theme is broadly defined (e.g. Graduated Squares, Axel Sequence) and may be interpreted and flown in any way. You can make your interpretation of the theme as simple and straightforward, or as complex and challenging as you like.

Themes may be flown in any order and can be repeated or varied within a routine. It is your responsibility to clearly define each element and unambiguously demonstrate each theme to the judges and audience.

You will be marked from 0-20 for each theme with a fifth score, also 0-20, being added for the non-compulsory parts of your routine. These are added together to give a final score from 0-100.

The maximum score you can hope to acheive for a theme is related to the technical difficulty of your interpretation. A basic interpretation of a theme will be scored approximately in the range 0-10. More challenging, diverse or interesting flying has the potential to score more highly, increasing the scoring range up to the maximum 0-20.

The actual score awarded within that range is based on well you fly the element with primary consideration given to precise flying and clean execution. Thus, a basic interpretation flown very well may score 9. A more advanced interpretation might score 14 if flown equally well, but only 8 if flown poorly.

The score for the non-compulsory parts of your routine is awarded in a similar manner. Increased technical difficulty may increase the upper limit of your scoring range, but execution will determine the actual score within that range.

Overview

• Fly a 3 minute (max) routine of your own devising.
• Include each of 4 compulsory themes
• Themes are broadly defined (e.g. Graduated Squares, Axel Sequence)
• Your interpretation of each theme can be as simple or complex as you like
• Judging based primarily on precise flying and clean execution
• More challenging interpretations have the potential to score more highly, if flown equally well.
• 5 marks are awarded, each from 0-20; one for each theme and one for the non-compulsory parts of the routine. Added to give a score from 0-100.

Compulsory Themes

Group I - Figures

• Graduated Squares
  A sequence of squares of increasing or decreasing size.
• Graduated Circles
  A sequence of circles of increasing or decreasing size.
• Square Cuts
  A sequence of 90 degree turns interspersed with straight lines of equal lengths.
• U-Bend
  A sequence of semi-circles connected with straight lines of equal length.

Group II - Control

• Full Stop
  Bring the kite to a complete stop in the air (e.g. Snap Stall, Fade, Turtle)
• Grounded
  Land the kite on the ground and relaunch.
• Stabs
  Land the kite on a single tip (tip-stab).
• Power Dive
  Fly the kite directly down at full speed, avoiding the ground.

Group III - Tricks

• Axel Sequence
  A sequence of Axels (e.g. Cascade, Fountain, Multiple Coin Toss)
• Spin Doctor
  Spin the kite in a stationary position (e.g. Lazy Susan, 540 Flat Spin, Backspin)
• Flic-Flac
  Perform a Flic-Flac or variation (e.g. Flic-Flac, Inverted Flic-Flac, Mutex, Yo-Yo wraps)
• Groundwork
  Any sequence of moves where the kite makes contact with the ground.

Copyright, Usage and Distribution Policy

© Copyright 2000 Andy Wardley. All Rights Reserved.

Permission is freely granted to distribute unaltered copies of this document for any non-commerical purpose. The Technical Freestyle competition format may be used and enjoyed by anyone without restriction.