mx - air time vs. lap time ?

The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle. Landing earlier means you can accelerate sooner, but it's pointless having to brake just to avoid a jump. I think it works out to the best time if you try to take bumps and table jumps as smoothly as possible, i.e. by landing right on a downwards slope and not somewhere inbetween.

>>17527650
Yes. Whipping acts as an air brake, scrubbing keeps your height lower.

Any forwards or upwards energy you can absorb through rotation in the air (a sick whip, yo) keeps the bike lower/landing sooner where you can lay down more power.

Often the correct rythm rather than overall speed in a given moment is more of a difference maker, so the rider tweaks the bike in air to get back exactly where they want.