I've asked this on the Discord before but are missions allowed for times in individual events? Obviously only mission that save your time on your file and have a replay should be allowed. I think it would makes Snowboard Cross and some other event less 'opponent RNG' this way. Maybe need to ban Cross Country, think there is one that let you benefit with a start boost (and saves your time).

I assume so, because one of my obsolete Snowboard Cross runs was done in a mission and was accepted.

That's helpful, but on what difficulty does the AI play during missions? That would exclude some sports

I think most are easy, some bosses (that will be mostly used for this) are medium I think. Can look in to it tomorrow. Which events make use of a opponent beside Cross Country/Biathlon?

If I recall correctly, I believe you can use the AI to bump against you at the beginning of Extreme Snowboarding and maybe Ski Cross Racing, which will push you a bit further. It's a minimal time save, and it's rarely used, so don't bother with looking into it, I thought more events would be affected by difficulty but on second thought they are not

Sadly no mission saves you time, but there some points it might be faster. Btw, is with the red nose forward faster I Dream Bobsleigh? Because there is a mission where you start with the red nose forward

I am now looking in Shorttrack and Snowboard Cross (and their Dream Version) but I think less opponents make normal Shorttrack eassier and maybe Dream too. I have no idea how both Snowboard Cross are done in speedruns so have to practise them first

Besides those, missions save time on Ski Cross Racing (against Shadow) and maybe on Blazing Bobsleigh but need to test that first (2 times. Against Big Bullet Bill and where you start with red nose forward). On other events it make no differnce or is worse. When I am fine I will post a document here with all mission that make the mission different (and so your time) that end when you cross the finish line/end the event and if they are better or worse

Yes, the red nose facing forward is faster, the opposite side is used to bump against the snowmen without being hurt and to move more easily. But I don't know if that time with missions should be accepted though, this begs a huge question. Minimizing rng by playing against 1 NPC in a mission has no controversy, because the mission does not modify the event or its mechanics, it just reduces randomness of NPCs that are otherwise a nuissance, but starting with the red nose looking forward would make a considerable difference.

Since the normal event of Blazing Bobsleight needs you to flip the bobsleight to face forward with the nose ASSAP if you want a chance at the WR, starting with the red nose does not provide any difference in the gameplay as it is, nor any change in strategy, nor a reroute, so I would be hesitant to adopt it. Both are played in the same way, being the only difference that you don't need to flip the bobsleight, which does not mean much skillwise or anythingwise, only all of the current records could be smashed more easily just for playing a mission instead of a event. If playing missions meant an improvement in other events (beyond rng) I would consider it. I personally would not allow these very especific and odd missions of Blazing Bobsleight and I would allow the rest; But I'm not a top runner of Blazing Bobsleight, so they'll know better what to do, this is just my opinion

EDIT: If time is saved in more events in more areas than RNG or AI being a harmless nuissance in your way, I'd say yes without doubts. From what I have read, I have understood that it does not, beyond RNG the only time saves are those 2 BBobsleight missions

Seems like Bobsleigh is the only event where a normal mission (not rival) may save time

I've made this now https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZbfL4g3zZdCPi-HyUowHx9p-o0ZWJ_mCQHQ0yAlQ-4A/edit?usp=drivesdk but it are just some notes I witte down.

Conclusion:

By doing Ski Cross Racing against Shadow you have less RNG because less opponents = less items that can be thrown on your

Blazing Bobsleigh there are some weird things going on I need to time. You can play vs Big Bullet Bill or Bowser and Dr. Eggman which may be better for the start (will look in to that later today), but there is also a mission where you start with the red nose forward. This means you don't have to rotste, but don't know how much time it will save

By doing Short Track against Vector the track is less cluttered by opponents, though Vector can still give some trouble. I think Vector is better than 3 opponents, but there still is a good part of RNG because Vector is a pretty good opponent

By doing Intense Short Track against Omega there are less opponents on the track and since he is pretty good you probably won't see him on the third lap again. Also less chance the last iceblocks will be broken. Start is still hard because he is so big

You can do Extreme Snowboarding against Bowser and Dr. Eggman. This is a pain because it's the third event in their Boss battle. It also only removed one opponent and Dr. Eggman and Bowser are pretty good so I think you are better of stockings with the regular event

You can do Snowboarding against Wario and Waluigi. This means 1 less opponent on the track but that doesn't help much, if at all

It's not allowed since this would make it easier

Only less RNG heavier for all events except Blazing Bobsleigh

Did some more testing this makes

✅ Against Shadow removes item RNG for Ski Cross Racing ✅ Against Vector removes opponent RNG for Shorttrack ❓Eggman and Bowser might be faster for Extreme Snowboarding, would like confirmation from someone else. 2 opponents instead of 3 sounds like less items on you, but the 2 opponents are good ❌ Intense Short Track against Omega helps minimal, if not it's worse. Starting will always give problem in this event and don't think 'button RNG' is worth diving in to. You can just as good use the normal event ❌ Blazing Bobsleigh against Big Bullet Bill or Bowser and Eggman isn't better

❌For the starting with red nose forward mission for Blazing Bobsleigh, it doesn't save any time and you can't ever rotate in the run. So at the best, it's even fast but thete is absolutely no reason to do it. The turning animation is still there are and after timing takes as much time as turning directly

Also asked Kieron about this since he seems to be the most active mod

And since Cross Country and Biathlon use your opponent for a speed boost I don't think Luigi or Knuckles is better. Maybe if you are a beginner and want to practise without opponent on the track they are worth it, but not for the best time