What a weekend! It’s hard to remember the last time I left a slope with such a smile on my face! Despite the dire weather forecasts for the Bwlch, the only interruption was the change of slopes from the Ice Cream slope to Micky’s half way through Saturday - and our pit bull CD Mr Philips (Sir to you) wasn’t going to let a little thing like that get in the way of our racing - just fly until it’s dark.
It’s always great to meet up with old friends and meet new ones on a race day. Combined with the pleasure of watching the top pilots from the UK’s winter leagues give an object lesson in how to squeeze the best from all conditions you just can’t go wrong.
After a quick sight seeing tour of the other slopes available on Saturday morning it was credit to the ‘race crew’ that by the time I’d finished off giving out goodie bags and dragged myself up the hill, the pilots' briefing was about to start and the racing began in short order. Watching some of the racing you could have been forgiven if you forgot that the wind was increasing along the slope.
A change of slopes was called for and again this was done at a remarkable speed to make sure that 9 rounds were flown on Saturday. The forecast of rain on Sunday and John’s unique motivational style spurred everyone on to one of the latest finishes I can remember. A quick check of the course computer leader board and the tussle between Redsell and Thornton was clear - but let’s not tell, might make them nervous.
The prospect of a wet Sunday, combined with the clocks going forward, may have been responsible for the bleary eyed start to Sunday. Even the normally reserved Abbo and Frank managed to take advantage of Bridgend’s delights until 4am. The only thing missing from Sunday was the rain and so 9:30 sharp (GMT) we were off again, Scott Ravenscroft filling his Wizard F3F so full of lead it was a toxic health hazard just before putting in consecutive sub-40s and pilot after pilot putting in some great times.
Too many great flights to mention them all, too many top pilots to do them all justice. Perhaps Adam Richardson and his Strega should have received a new-comer award? The quality of the weekend’s flying and piloting really showed up those of us who hadn’t braved the cold to practise this winter but was most demonstrated by the voodoo lord Mr Dakin, who was forced to take the gloves off and fly his Race MX! Only Ian Stewart couldn’t stay awake long enough to see the end (pity he was buzzing at the time!).
Congratulations to Mark on his win and fastest time of the competition - Mark with a Strega for the summer will be a sight to see. Huge thanks have to go the "Crew" (a motley one) led by John Philips on loud speaker and John Edison on Course Keyboard and supported by Andy, Frank and Abbo - basically on the lash!
Thanks also for the support from RCRCM, Multiplex, Punctilio Modelspot and the BMFA for helping out with a fantastic array of prizes.
Ian Mason
1 MARK REDSELL 13012.16 Freestyler
2 SIMON THORNTON 12959.83 Ceres/ EXTREME
3 MIKE EVANS 12688.41 Kyril
4 PETER GUNNING 12575.98 Kyril/ EXTREME
5 JOEL WEST 12548.93 Kyril
6 GREG DAKIN 12352.29 Race MX/ Tanga
7 ADAM RICHARDSON 12342.47 STREGA/ EXTREME
8 SCOTT RAVENSCR 12019.17 WIZ F3F/ ARTIST
9 MICK WALSH 11981.26 Ceres
10 PAUL MIDDLETON 11955.78 Vikos/ Skorpion
11 RICHARD BAGO 11832.15 Vikos/ Xenon
12 MARK PASSINGHAM 11677.61 Freestyler/ Kyril
13 FRANK HULTON 11572.95 EXTREME
14 PAUL GARNETT 11489.40 Vikos/ AIRONE
15 JON EDISON 11441.26 Sting/ Skorpion
16 ZIM SMITH 11430.46 STREGA
17 SCOTT EDWARDS 11418.85 New Sting
18 RON RUSSELL 11222.71 STREGA
19 ANDY BURGOYNE 11123.46 Ascot
20 MARK ABBOTTS 11069.78 ACACIA2/ Caldera
21 IAN STEWART 10601.47 Ceres
22 IAN MASON 10586.15 AIRONE/WIZ F3F
23 JOHN PHILIPS 4219.94 Falcon
Here's a couple of slideshows of Zim's photos of the event. Do click on the full screen icon at the bottom right of the slideshow - it's worth it for the full effect.
And now Mark Passingham's photo tutorial on how to launch an F3F model - with a smile! Note the boring launchers before Mark's awesome demonstration of cheddar!
And some more pictures from Ron Russell - thanks very much Ron!
And even MORE photos now!
Incredible pictures -- I never seen such clarity of F3F sailplanes in flight! The models seem to 'pop out' of the sky as if they're being 3d modeled. Hats off to the photographer; the shutter speed on your camera is reaaaaalllly fast
ReplyDeleteHey Moth - first two slide shows are just shot with a Nikon D40 with a Sigma zoom (the cheapest one!) I am not sure what camera Ron and Ian are using in the last two slide shows.
ReplyDeleteZ