"Free Distance" World records - a new category

As of May 1st, it looks like there is an entire new category of World Records....labeled "Free Distance" records.

From the Sporting Code:
1.6.5.8 Free Distance Flight
The way point(s) of free distance record flight performances may be declared post flight. The free distance
record types are:
• Free distance: a flight from a start point to a finish point with no turn points.
• Free out and return distance: a closed course flight having one turn point.
• Free distance using up to 3 turn points: a flight from a start point via up to 3 turn points to a finish point. The
turn points must be at least 10 kilometres apart and may be claimed only once.
• Free distance around a triangle:
- a closed course flight via three turn points independent of the position of the start/finish point. The
official distance is given by the sum of the legs of the triangle formed by the turn points.
- a closed course via two turn points.
- the start and finish points are not turn points unless specifically declared as such.
Claims and records publication
3D track logs in IGC format must be submitted with all claims. They will be published on the FAI/CIVL
website along with the claims. All records will be published along with their tracklogs.
To be homologated, the Free Distance record must exceed the corresponding "non free" record by the value
defined in 3.4.

The only difference is that you can piece together your task after your flight...no pre-flight declaration. I think this is the best of both worlds as with the security in track logs from our GPSs these days, you shouldn't be penalize (not be given a record) if you have a stellar flight but don't plan/declare it ahead of time. When the conditions are that smokin' pilots are too anxious to get in the air to fill out paperwork....they just want to go fly.

It's also great that it will keep the old records in honour of those pilots that came before us and did the records properly (planning, declaration, observer).

I will re-rig the flight database on this site to recognize this new category so get out there and break/set some records! It is now a lot easier (to submit) them...it's still as hard to break them as it's not like the distances are reset...in order for the flight to be recognized, you still have to beat the existing related 'closed course' record.