7.7 Finishing

7.7.1 Finish Options The Organisers shall select one finish procedure for every task from the following options. The Finish procedures selected for the Championship shall be stated in the Local Procedures. The options are:

a. Finish Line A straight line, of defined length, at the elevation of the airfield clearly identifiable on the ground. The finish line shall be so placed that sailplanes can safely land beyond it. A maximum altitude (QNH) and a minimum height (AGL) should be imposed for crossing the line.

(i) A finish is valid if the sailplane crosses the finish line, unassisted, in the direction specified at briefing.

(ii) Competitors crossing the finish line below the minimum height, except for straight-in landings, or above the maximum altitude, shall be penalised.

(iii) The Organisers may establish a number of final Turn Points (control points) to align the sailplanes with the desired direction of finish.

b. Finish Ring A ring of specified radius around the finish point encompassing the airfield and the landing circuits. Maximum and minimum altitudes (QNH) shall be imposed for crossing the ring. Competitors crossing the finish line below the minimum height, or above the maximum altitude, shall be penalised.

Organisers may use a Finish Line for Racing Tasks and Speed Tasks using Assigned Areas and a Finish Ring for all Tasks.

The Finish Ring is provided to allow the separation of sailplanes arriving from different directions, or in mountainous terrain, or when large gaggles are expected at the finish. It allows each pilot to slow down and concentrate on their circuit procedures and other sailplanes prior to landing.

7.7.2 Definitions

a. The Goal is the center of the finish line or the finish ring.

The last leg distance is assessed from the defined position of the last Turn Point or Assigned Area, to the Goal, less the radius of the finish ring in option (b).

b. The Finish Time is defined as the time the sailplane first crosses the finish line or finish ring after completing the task.

For competitors on a Assigned Area or Pilot Selected task:

• If the Designated Time has expired and they are remaining on task, they must remain above the maximum finish altitude otherwise they will be deemed to have finished if their track crosses the finish line or the finish ring.
• If the Designated Time has not expired, they may cross the finish line or the finish ring at any altitude, and the crossing will not be deemed to be a finish unless they then immediately land on the airfield.

c. A sailplane landing back at the airfield without crossing the finish line shall be deemed to have finished and shall be given as finish time the time at which the glider stopped moving plus five minutes.

7.7.3 Finish Procedures

a. Competitors shall announce their arrival on the finish line frequency by giving their contest number and the distance to go. The acceptance reply will be the contest number. The Local Procedures shall state the procedure in detail.

All crossings of the finish line should be manually timed to provide finish times for preliminary scoring.

b. The finish officials shall repeatedly announce strength and direction of the wind, together with other significant meteorological data at the contest site.

c. The finish line or finish ring shall be closed at sunset, or when all competitors are accounted for, or at a set time announced at briefing. Competitors still on task after closure of the finish line or finish ring shall be considered as outlanded at the last valid GNSS fix immediately preceding the closure time.