Dueling is hard to find people who duel the same way. Very few people Ive dueled follow the standard rules. Many skip the intitial turn at the merge and go for altitude.
What I suggest is this. Get as much alt as you can, before the merge, then dive down to 3k for the merge. If both parties do this, then its a choice to burn the E trying to slow down to turn better, or to stay fast and use the vertical like so many do anyway. Basically remove many of the rules from it so its a raw fight, with the very beginning stages even, and after the 1st pass, all options are open.
That way everyone knows what to expect. No surprises like the guy was higher to begin with, the guy HO'd etc. Ive been told "Nice HO" at times when the guy had no guns up me as I slowed and let him pass before my guns. We all see stuff a little different on our end.
So again, if the only rules were being co-alt at the initial merge, and no firing at that intial merge, but all bets are off from that point on, it would simplify the whole affair.