The USA COR Athlete Classification System (ACS) is a "Proof of Work" model. In other words, classifications are must be awarded deterministically, objectively, and transparently by a committee or person, based solely on concrete performances. Thus, USA COR athletes earn, refresh, and advance their classifications according to a rubric based on placing well in comparison to their peers in National Series competitions.
A "Fishbowl Effect" describes a scenario in which a particular segment of community members "game" the system and thus rapidly advance their way through the classification tiers, effectively misrepresenting their developmental positions within the broader field. A large enough segment of community members could technically engineer a fishbowl to attain any classification level. For example, in order to manufacture an "A1" classified event (field strength 100, first place alone earns an "A"), a community could assemble a variety of fields ranging from 100 finishing unclassified paddlers (1 strength-point each) to 17 finishing A-classified paddlers (6 strength-points each).
With this stated, the ACA Ocean Racing Committee is not concerned about fishbowls at this particular point in time. If the Athlete Classification System is enough of a motivator on its own to drive the high level of interest and participation in recognized USA COR National Series competitions required to game the system, the ORC considers the time and energy invested by the committee and our growing community well-spent.