Viewing the above I tend to agree with the discussion. I really doubt there would be some conspiracy on the part of the teams to fix the outcomes and help friends get to the Nationals. Competition is competition and everyone gets wrapped up in the event. I'm sure the Judges will also do their best to be impartial (although after the forum following the Nationals this year there may be others who disagree). We have to wait and see.
What dismays me are all those grandfathered teams who have a free ride forever no matter what they design for the season. Yes- they are great people and got well deserved recognition. I bear no malice for them or their accomplishments. But I don't know what the promise made to them by FIRST was but it sure doesn't seem fair that these teams which have already been heavily recognized get a free ride forever. How far does one award get you?
FIRST will do what it wants and my group has resigned itself to doing the best with the raw deal we got. But as a gesture to those teams who will be hit by the huge increase in costs associated with making last minute arrangements after they win their regionals to qualify, FIRST should refund their entry fees for the Nationals to offset the team's costs. Then maybe it wouldn't be as bad a nightmare.
Do I think they will part with the money-NO. But I figure somebody might bring it up.
forever