[CQ-Contest] WRTC competitor selection

[K3BU at aol.com]

KQ2M, Bob, wrote:
> 
>  I personally think that the WRTC committee should use their wildcard
>  selection criteria for ALL the participants, ensuring that everyone meets
>  the same standard (set by the WRTC committee of course) and ensuring that
>  there is no popularity, politics or favoritism shown in determining who the
>  participants will be.   Just actual contest results.
>  
>  I would like to see club selection eliminated in favor of everyone having 
to
>  meet the same standard, whatever that might be.
>  

    Having gone through discriminating "selection" for WRTC 2000 process by 
RAC I agree with Bob's comments (Thank WRTC for Wild Card).
    It seems that in ham radio we tend to do some things that otherwise 
wouldn't make sense, like list and net "DXing," packet "single op," 3 QSO 
penalties, 0 points for own country, etc. Now we have another WRTC coming and 
"here we go again." Not to criticize the sponsors, they are trying to do 
their best and are doing remarkable, thankless job in putting on the event 
that is trying to even the playing field in giving opportunity to show who is 
the best of the best.  
    We can offer suggestions and hope that sponsors will consider them, just 
like Slovenians did with the "antenna switch problem" and make the best even 
better.
    Let me try to put things in perspective and relate to other sports areas. 
To me and many others, ham radio is technical sport (OK, public service, 
hobby, etc.) If we are trying to find out who is the best of the best, then 
logic would imply that there should be selection process (see Olympics) 
allowing those who are interested in competing in that forum, to be able to 
do that. This would normally mean qualifications runs with specified number 
of finalists able to proceed to WRTC (Olympics). I think the best way to that 
is to have year before continental qualification runs. Top whatever number 
will qualify for the next WRTC. No problem with body-body politics, biases, 
etc. Strictly based on performance and number of allocated spots. Maybe too 
late for this year, but perhaps for next run we might be able to see it 
implemented. It would be also good training for potential organizers for the 
big one.
    As far as present rules for selection, I see some problems:

1. Citizen and/or Resident. 
I think it should be one or the other, period. This allows fuzzy area where 
some competitors have choice to pick or gain advantage, or excuse not to be 
considered for selection by country's "government." If it is still possible, 
please make ruling one or the other way. I think one should be proud to 
compete for country of his citizenship, and I would use citizenship rule. I 
have been discriminated by RAC in 2000, and I know how it feels. Thanks to 
wild card system, I was able to go based on my results.

2. Consideration of team score for wild card selection. 
I think past system of selecting captain of the team based on score, and 
captain selecting partner had more merit. The best was selected based on 
performance and he had a choice of picking partner. No arguments there, clear 
cut. Makes sense.
By using team score for application, it allows situation of where two "second 
grade" competitors, like #2 and #3 can gang up on #1 and #4 and beat them 
with better score, eliminating the best one and his team mate. I think it is 
unfair plus introduces speculation into the selection process. I think that 
captain should be able to select the running mate from the continent (and own 
country) and not only from his country. It is continental wild card after 
all, and that is how it was before and makes more sense.

3. Clubs (countries) selecting teams. I agree with Bob.
I think the selection process should be based on first asking members to 
apply for selection, then those interested should be selected according to 
the scoring system as outlined for wild card selection. I think captains 
should be selected and they should pick their teammates from own club or 
other clubs (territory). This would give chance to form the best team and 
give chance to perhaps up and coming sharp operators. Again, having 
considered team score for selection gives room to "conspiracies" of #2 and #3 
to "burn" #1 and his pick. 
Dividing US into Clubs, is trying to spread the selection process around the 
country, but perhaps dividing US into 4 or 5 zones and applying wild card 
scoring system for selection within the zones (countries) would be more 
appropriate.

The selection process should be based on results and not on "beauty" contest 
and voting.

I hope that it is not too late to accommodate the above, which would provide 
more fair selection process and eliminate some of the speculations and hard 
feelings. 
What do you think?

Just the opinion of one of last WRTC "losers," paralyzed for 8 hours with 20 
over 9 rain static :-(

Yuri, K3BU, VE3BMV,  S561C


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