World Cup racing- line spotters

Can't find the original thread. Is this during practice or are they getting live updates during qualifying and finals? Whilst Jackson's POV implies he's got the spare bandwidth (for what of a better term) to listen to instructions whilst also pinning it I'm skeptical it's common...... 

I just think there needs to be much more of a limit to team personnel in a vest in the bzone.  But what’s to stop anyone from spectating and sending clips to someone or talking to a rider.  And riders should have at least some team support on track (though it should be limited)

Line spotters make sense. Let the riders ride and let the team handle the support.

Lines evolve quickly, and some options stay hidden depending on rider preference and ability. Limiting access to track walks was a good call. Before, too many people were on track, which made things messy. Downsides are there though, especially for mechanics who now have less access.

During practice however, the B-zone isn’t crowded along the whole track, only at key sections. But even with limits, crowding doesn’t really go away. If you allow two spotters per team, they’ll still gather at the same few spots.

20 teams with two spotters each means up to 40 people at one section. That’s still crowded.

I thought they were limiting 1 spotter per team already for this season. not only at track walk... Im lost.. I'm pro limiting the team resources in this case 1 authorized team member on track... it evens things..more fair.

For me its simply a bit lame having so much aid on the side of the track.

Modern courses often tend to be pretty one line anyway, with only minor variations throughout a course. I don't know for sure, how many big "key sections" there are per course, but it doesn't feel like much these days. Rider after rider doing the same. So why a top level professional needs help being told where to go is a bit bizarre. 

DH is indeed blend of team and individual athletes so I am not against help and co-operation. Big teams have more staff, yah yah yah, whatever I'm not a huge worrier about that on track, as, as stated above everyone ends up on the same line for race day anyway regardless of if you are Loic with 100's of staff, or a smaller team with 1 or 2 staff.

I am also not wanting to sound old, I remember fondly the glory days of Sam Hill and the likes busting out unique lines. That is now behind us. It really helped showcase rider skill & made the race day package more interesting.  It's sad not to have those moments, now combined with either sleep inducing commentary, or an over amped Aussie of previous years, the same line over and over isn't always great viewing. More so with manufactured close racing on shorter tracks.

You could argue that with these intense speeds that line staff help make it safer for the rider by getting them on the best line. Its a dangerous sport whatever happens though.

WC DH is constantly evolving and now being operated by a big business who doesn't really care is more the problem.