@eleeski, I think you misunderstood. In fact, I think your 3rd paragraph is my suggestion #1 and the same as what Ise is suggesting. My only point was that skiers at different speeds and buoy counts gets complicated in a placement tournament like States, Regionals and Nationals. If they qualify for Open they can elect to keep skiing at 36mph if they enter as Open at those tournaments. If they elect to ski at 34mph in those tournaments in their age divisions, score them like everyone else. If I go to Nationals and score 2 at 39/34mph, I don't want to get beat by someone running 2.25 at 38/36mph. Its too confusing at those tournaments.
After reading over the rules, I believe the current system is my suggestion #2 above. I'm just not crazy about being able to qualify by skiing 34mph and I'm just a couple buoys off from it. I don't think I can compete at the Open level. I'm happy to get my butt handed to me by the other MM skiers.
If I remember correctly, when I started skiing, Open was apx 2 at 39/34mph. Now it looks like its around 4 at 39/34mph.
For M2, the Open rating is around 4 at 38 currently.