Twas a fun meet even though I was completely unprepared for it! It never ceases to amaze me how the top pilots do so well even in miserable conditions. Most of the time it was either blowin stink, low top of lifts, or both.
I flew a topless in the sport class, but this proved to be of no advantage whatsoever as Hugh, DanT, DanB and others on kingposters consistently outflew me. It was definitely a meet where going fast was not a decisive advantage.
The gang at Highland did a great job and hopefully the meet will grow in stature.
The catered barbecue party at the awards ceramony was great. Congrats to Dan for winning the sport class--though looking at the results page on the OZ Report it appears that some last-minute juggling of the scores must have happened--I can't figure out how the scoring was done.
Nice to see alot of ol flying buddies--hope to be back again next year.
marc
ECCs
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
The ECC a fun meet for any aerotow rated pilot
This meet is one of the high points of the year for any local pilot. The sponsors lowered the price for the Sport class entrants this year, imporving the affordability. I hope they do the same next year.
The actual flying is just one piece of the overall all event. The evening card games, the chance to pick the brains of current and former word champions and record holders, the opportunity to make new friends, all contribute to the experience. I encourage you all to join up next year. It's a great week long vacation.
I was fortunate enough to achieve a personal best during the contest. I managed a 32+ miler (straight line not contest) to just North of Rehoboth Beach. I had always wanted to fly to the beach and finally managed to reach to within a simple glide of it, thought I didn't choose to land there. in part because the course line was to the South. This flight was good enough to ultimately enable me to win the sport class.
The victory was diminished a little bit by some confusion caused by the daily talley of scores. The daily tallies were all scored together, witht he open and sport calls intermingled. On my long flight day several of the open class pilots reached goal. This diminished the number of points awarded for my flight and all the rest of sport pilots flights. When the contest ended Davis recalculated the sport class totals scoring only against themselves thus giving me more credit for the long flight and enabling me to pass Hugh and move back into first place. This must have discouraged Hugh almost as much as it surprised me.
If I may make a gentle suggestion for the meet operatiors next year. Show the sport class standings each day against themselves. It only takes a few more minutes, it will make us feel less like stepchildren, and will encourage more participation in the meet.
Anyway the first place prize was a very welcome surprise, I made a few new friends, I got to pick Pete Lehman's brain at breakfast and watch him stink up the pool table in the evening, and generally had a great time as we all did. I encourage you all to sign up next year.
Dan T
The actual flying is just one piece of the overall all event. The evening card games, the chance to pick the brains of current and former word champions and record holders, the opportunity to make new friends, all contribute to the experience. I encourage you all to join up next year. It's a great week long vacation.
I was fortunate enough to achieve a personal best during the contest. I managed a 32+ miler (straight line not contest) to just North of Rehoboth Beach. I had always wanted to fly to the beach and finally managed to reach to within a simple glide of it, thought I didn't choose to land there. in part because the course line was to the South. This flight was good enough to ultimately enable me to win the sport class.
The victory was diminished a little bit by some confusion caused by the daily talley of scores. The daily tallies were all scored together, witht he open and sport calls intermingled. On my long flight day several of the open class pilots reached goal. This diminished the number of points awarded for my flight and all the rest of sport pilots flights. When the contest ended Davis recalculated the sport class totals scoring only against themselves thus giving me more credit for the long flight and enabling me to pass Hugh and move back into first place. This must have discouraged Hugh almost as much as it surprised me.
If I may make a gentle suggestion for the meet operatiors next year. Show the sport class standings each day against themselves. It only takes a few more minutes, it will make us feel less like stepchildren, and will encourage more participation in the meet.
Anyway the first place prize was a very welcome surprise, I made a few new friends, I got to pick Pete Lehman's brain at breakfast and watch him stink up the pool table in the evening, and generally had a great time as we all did. I encourage you all to sign up next year.
Dan T
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John Simon
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2005 12:33 pm
Sport ECC
Great job by Dan and Hugh and others. I scolded David Glover a bit for not having the Sport Class stuff posted separately each day. I know it adds to the fun and keeps things interesting. He told me it was the new software they were using...? I think they will get this squared away and I'll steal his money in poker again if he doesn't.
Nice job... to much fun out there.
John
Nice job... to much fun out there.
John
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Paul Tjaden
- Posts: 398
- Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:28 pm
Ditto to all the above posts. Lauren and I had a fabulous time as usual. We like Florida but sure wish there were some way to bring all our good friends from the Mid Atlantic south with us. This year was especially nice in that we came almost two weeks early and visited friends in the area before the comp started.
Huge congrats to Dan and PK for winning their respective divisions. Paul Kelly was an unbeatable machine this year and Linda Salamone showed us the bottom of her sail all week finishing second ahead of some of the best pilots in the world including the Australian Team Star, Craig Coomber!
I managed to continue my jinx at this event (since winning the rigid division two years ago) by finishing way down the ladder. I just can't seem to make the right decisions in these light, scratchy conditions. You can bet that I won't quit though. I'll be back to embarrass myself again next year! Lauren, on the other hand, showed marked improvement and kicked my butt as well as a few other well known pilots whose names I won't mention.
If you didn't make it this year, put it on your calendar for next year. You won't be sorry.
Paul
Huge congrats to Dan and PK for winning their respective divisions. Paul Kelly was an unbeatable machine this year and Linda Salamone showed us the bottom of her sail all week finishing second ahead of some of the best pilots in the world including the Australian Team Star, Craig Coomber!
I managed to continue my jinx at this event (since winning the rigid division two years ago) by finishing way down the ladder. I just can't seem to make the right decisions in these light, scratchy conditions. You can bet that I won't quit though. I'll be back to embarrass myself again next year! Lauren, on the other hand, showed marked improvement and kicked my butt as well as a few other well known pilots whose names I won't mention.
If you didn't make it this year, put it on your calendar for next year. You won't be sorry.
Paul
What a fun comp. Got to meet a lot of new pilots (to me at least) and old ones as well. My transition from the ATOS back to my Talon was relatively uneventful at least after Paul T and Chad gave me a few pointers. It did take me a few comp days to get wired but felt good on the last task. Only made one mistake late that cost me goal when I left light lift looking for the good stuff but hey everybody can say that. How about PK, he is the man!!! He changed gears better than anyone and that was the difference and if you look at the scores it was a BIG difference!! Can't wait to fly in the mountains with you all soon.
Bun
Bun
Bun
Discouraged? Not me! In my book, Sport class accomplished its purpose by encouraging us newbies to overcome flightpark suck and go for it! (Carlos made his first XC after over 200 flights at Ridgely!) On the first day, I kept coming back for relights until on the third tow the tug pilot (probably Adam) towed me a mile or two downwind on a strongish day and waved me off at 2000. Threw me out of the nest! I hope the experience last week will make me/us fly Ridgely differently from now on. I suggested we arrange for a driver on promising weekends and do more XC. Daniel has put it on my plate to put an ad on eastern shore e-bay... - Hugh