@Horton- I really dont't have a dog in the fight here- (my chances of ever even reaching Regionals being slim to none)- I tend to agree with you in principle- The path to Nationals should not be so difficult- Perhaps set the qualifying criteria for Nationals, at whatever level(s) needed to attract a target number of competitors. Make the qualifications relevant by allowing skiing at Regionals; or skiing an appropriate average score over maybe 5 Class C?, or 3 ELR?, or placing in the top 5 of last or current year Regionals/Nationals, or whatever rational method makes sense. i.e.- It seems to me that Class E has become kind of irrelevant- they cost more, are harder to staff with qualified officials, take more prep, require more logistical support, and are overall more draining on the hosting party(s). Unless I misses a rule change, they now have no real value more than a "C". If they became qualifiers for Nationals might they gain some traction and prestige?
I know that my days of going to 15+ tournaments a season are long over- I might be able to manage getting to 6 or 8- maybe there are others who could qualify who are in the same circumstance- but would like a shot at attending Nationals?
I think some changes need to be considered, for all the reasons mentioned. Without some input from us- I don't see the decision makers making any progress for the benefit of skiers, and the tail will continue to wag the dog.
Someone said- (paraphrased) "Doing the same thing, the same way, over and over, and expecting a different result is the definition of ...? Just saying.