Rita,

I agree with you. Optimum time is the best time to finish the XC. If
a rider feels that that the OT for an event is too fast, then they
should speak to the rider represtative or TD prior to the start fo XC.

I don't have the rule book in front of me to quote which rule, but if a
rider is a minute (i believe) too fast, they are also penalized. Maybe
the penalty for going too fast should be increased in penalties or the
time shortened to 30 seconds to fast gets a penalty?