So what you are saying is that since they may not have had a chance to win it's okay that someone cheating got ahead of them?

I understand zplesivcak's point. While it is lame that cheating is going on, it doesn't really impact the overall winner of the contest.

Also, for the last 3 spots out of 1000, there is a lot of luck involved anyway.

you assume a lot there with "last" 3 spots.

Well, it will only be the last 3 spots that are (substantially) affected by 3 cheaters - everybody else either qualified or failed to qualify anyway.

And the luck I'm referring to is in timing. If you look at the scoreboard for round 1B, 1000th place scored 34 points and a time of 1:30:38. 1001st place 34 points and a time of 1:30:48.

That 10 seconds is nothing if not luck.

Imagine this scenario ,It is round 1C . A talented programmer started competing there are only 20 minutes to go. He solves the Small and Large test cases for Problem A ,and only the small for problem C. But Alas ! his rank is 1002 , he doesn't qualify even though on topcoder he is in the top 200's.

He took a huge risk by starting with only 20 minutes to go. I would say his failure there lies more with himself than with the 3 cheaters.

Maybe that guy had a big exam or a build going on that day. I am just saying :).