[J Flex 188]

If I may, the above might not necessarily be true as well. In Pittsburgh 2004, I witnessed first hand the kind of damage, but the kind of spirit that a FIRST competition can provide. Delphi Elite (48) was battling Simbotics (1114) for the top portion underneath the bar, and through it all, 48 somehow managed to drive on top of 1114 and completely bend their telescoping arm. They had to carry Simon off the field with his arm extended. I remember thinking, wow, if I was 1114, I'd be incredibly upset right now, and complain about 48's tactics. Yet I remember it clearly, walking towards my pits after a match, seeing a throng of simbot AND delphi elite personnel in the simbotics pit working feverishly on their robot.

While you may hear the occasional grumble immediately after a match about defensive strategies, given time, and the right mix of FIRST principles, the results usually turn out spectacularly. (48, 1114 and 1006 were finalists at their next event, the Super Canadian Regional)

GP is important, but it shouldn't necessarily stand in the way of pushing your robot to the limit, and trying the hardest you can to win a match.