http://www.bjcp.org/docs/2008_stylebook.pdf
Category 14 covers all of the Pale Ales
14A - English IPA
14B - American IPA
14C - Imperial IPA
I entered in the 14C category. I think they grouped the winners from each subcategory to come up with an overall category winner.
Good show on the win.
When you say Pale Ale most think of the English or American Pale Ales. Think Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Stone Pale Ale, and so on.
Cat 14 is India Pale Ales.
Cat 10a is American Pale Ales.
Cat 8 is English Pale Ales.
Just saying.