[ARDF] Selecting ARDF Team USA 2004

[Homingin at aol.com]

The choice or our 2004 team will definitely not be based entirely on 2003 
performance, as that indeed would be unfair.  Similarly, it can't be based only 
on 2004 results, as that would be unfair to the people putting on the 2004 USA 
Championships.  I think a fair determination can be made using a combination 
of both years' results, as it was in 2002.  It will be more difficult next 
time, simply because there are more and better contenders for more age/gender 
categories.

<< air fares are often cheaper the earlier you can book them.>>

But not always.  I don't have specifics in front of me, but I remember that 
for the 2000 championships, the early birds who bought tickets to China 6 - 9 
months ahead paid more than some who got them 2 - 3 months ahead.  Yes, I know 
that many folks need to announce vacation plans at the beginning of the year.  
But that's not a good reason to make final decisions for 2004 this year.  If 
it's likely that you'll be a frontrunner for 2004's team, I suggest that you 
block out the dates when you turn in your next vacation schedule.  You can 
always change later.

In some European countries, the national championships are held just before 
the World Championships.  We can't do that, but we can certainly withstand a 
little excitement and uncertainty by having our USA Championships in June.

Sam Smith wrote:
<<Do we have a documented selection process?>>

At this state of ARDF development in the USA, there are no formal rules that 
govern team selection.  It's up to me to make sure that the team is selected 
in a fair way.  I welcome discussions on how best to do this, but I think that 
this list is not the place for that.  I suggest that it be done on the 
ARDFTEAMUSA list, which has been dormant since the last World Championships.

Let's do this:  If you are personally interested in traveling to the 2004 
ARDF World Champs in Czech Republic, either as a team member, trainer, or juror, 
send e-mail directly to me (not to the list).  I'll add you to the ARDFTEAMUSA 
list (which is invitation-only to avoid spam).

If you have not been on Team USA before, please include your date of birth.  
Once we see which categories have competition for the three (per category) 
maximum allowable slots on our national team, we can move forward with 
determining the selection process.

73,
Joe Moell K0OV
ARRL ARDF Coordinator
homingin at aol.com