Towers B/C

[Unome]

What are your estimates for National winner's score for towers?
From what I've seen I think 2600 would be a reasonable estimates.
As well as that, what do you think would place at nats?
It has been mid season, so we can do some re analyzing.

Higher than that. I've already heard of scores over 2800 in Div B, and the top scores at MIT were a bit over 2600.

[dholdgreve]

I would NOT be surprised to see Nationals winners in the 3200 to 3500 range for both divisions.

[Balsa Man]

I would be surprised to see Nationals winners in the 3200 to 3500 range for both divisions.

You're saying would not be surprised. I assume?
That's approaching to just a hair under 5gr, carrying full load. That's....pretty amazing.
Like you, I've learned over the years that ...the very top few often are into the amazing range, so, I'll be seriously impressed if a handful approach these numbers, but not surprised. I do think, simply because of the additional length of legs, C will bee a bit lower than B. Its a shame that all the best across the country aren't assured of being able to make it to Nationals- it would really be cool to see the very best go head to head, but, that's how it is

I have a solid technical handle on....how to do well to very well, and glad to openly share ideas, techniques, and tools to get to that level- to help up the level of the playing field, give everyone a chance do do something they can be really proud of. As you get the tower weight lower and lower, each gram, or tenth of a gram gets harder and harder to find. I understand, and can see clearly how to get....under 7gr, maybe mid 6s, but down to 5 is going to take a little magic- really new insights, some out of the box thinking, and a really good ....wood selection process. But, that's what winners figure out how to do...

[dholdgreve]

You're saying would not be surprised. I assume?
That's approaching to just a hair under 5gr, carrying full load. That's....pretty amazing.
Like you, I've learned over the years that ...the very top few often are into the amazing range, so, I'll be seriously impressed if a handful approach these numbers, but not surprised. I do think, simply because of the additional length of legs, C will bee a bit lower than B. Its a shame that all the best across the country aren't assured of being able to make it to Nationals- it would really be cool to see the very best go head to head, but, that's how it is

I have a solid technical handle on....how to do well to very well, and glad to openly share ideas, techniques, and tools to get to that level- to help up the level of the playing field, give everyone a chance do do something they can be really proud of. As you get the tower weight lower and lower, each gram, or tenth of a gram gets harder and harder to find. I understand, and can see clearly how to get....under 7gr, maybe mid 6s, but down to 5 is going to take a little magic- really new insights, some out of the box thinking, and a really good ....wood selection process. But, that's what winners figure out how to do...[/quote]

Ummm... Ya... Like I said... I would NOT be surprised..."

[Random Human]

I would be surprised to see Nationals winners in the 3200 to 3500 range for both divisions.

You're saying would not be surprised. I assume?
That's approaching to just a hair under 5gr, carrying full load. That's....pretty amazing.
Like you, I've learned over the years that ...the very top few often are into the amazing range, so, I'll be seriously impressed if a handful approach these numbers, but not surprised. I do think, simply because of the additional length of legs, C will bee a bit lower than B. Its a shame that all the best across the country aren't assured of being able to make it to Nationals- it would really be cool to see the very best go head to head, but, that's how it is

I have a solid technical handle on....how to do well to very well, and glad to openly share ideas, techniques, and tools to get to that level- to help up the level of the playing field, give everyone a chance do do something they can be really proud of. As you get the tower weight lower and lower, each gram, or tenth of a gram gets harder and harder to find. I understand, and can see clearly how to get....under 7gr, maybe mid 6s, but down to 5 is going to take a little magic- really new insights, some out of the box thinking, and a really good ....wood selection process. But, that's what winners figure out how to do...

So balsa man... What is your estimates for placing at nats and winning nats?
Dholdgreve, getting above 3k seems to me and my colleagues as almost "impossible" with the specs. Even for 2800, you would need a 5.3 towers, something extremely difficult to achieve, 2600 sounds more correct, around 5.73 would get there.

[Balsa Man]

"Estimate" kind of implies....data, quantitative assessment. I don't have much data beyond what's been posted so far. And who knows how many of 'the best' will make it to Nats.
So, educated WAG, at best.
In the past, Dan has had a pretty darn good handle on just how amazing the top few can get. So, by saying I wouldn't be surprised to see some approach those numbers, that's my WAG.
Placing, past years data suggests a fairly significant fall-off by...4th, 5th, 6th place. So, again, just a WAG, 2500 for B, 2400 for C will have a shot at 6th. Those are numbers I can see, theoretically, how to get to. Above that, ....still working on figuring that out.....

[candle 1586]

What is a reasonable average weight for towers in either division?

[BuildingFriend]

What is a reasonable average weight for towers in either division?

That's quite an ambiguous question but I'll try to answer it- Assuming that your tower can max with non-bonus, a 6 gram tower will be competitive with the top schools (efficiency of around 2500). However, as the bonus gets added on, each decrease of about 0.1g if you max out (hold all 15 kg) is huge- dropping from 6 grams to 5.8 grams changes your efficiency by nearly 100 points. Thus reasonable average weight if you want be competitive with top schools varies by tenths of a gram. However, if you can find a way to make a 2 gram tower holding 8 kg then everything changes. But in general based upon MIT/Yale/Cornell results, maxing out with a 6 gram tower is quite good.

[BuildingFriend]

Does any team own a pair of LEGAL stabilizing sticks? Just wondering, even if they're ratchet.

[Unome]

Does any team own a pair of LEGAL stabilizing sticks? Just wondering, even if they're ratchet.

Nope. We use PVC pipes, pencils, etc. whatever happens to be on hand.

Edit: Our builders may have some, but I don't think so since they've never used them that I know of.