The 2007 Flytec Competition ended yesterday with another day of high overcast, strong winds and low scores. The soaring conditions were very much sub-par compared to what we have been used to experiencing in the past. We flew 5 of 7 days but only 2 of those days were good. The other three days were extremely light and spotty with luck playing a big part of whether or not you managed a decent climb or two and a few miles of distance. Perhaps I am grousing because I am NOT a good light air pilot but days like this many times are just a crap shoot with a handfull of pilots getting lucky with their launch times and finding enough lift to fly while the majority land back at the field or dive a few miles down course. Larry Bunner lost his first place standing in the Rigid category yesterday as Jaque Bott pulled off a miraculous 50 mile run to goal (the only pilot to make goal) while many pilots couldn't even get out of the start circle. I managed a whopping 7.5 miles while I drifted out over the Green Swamp and then pounded back up wind trying to stay over landable terrain before landing after 45 minutes.
I ended the comp in 43rd place of 82 pilots. I had hoped to do better and in fact did do much better on the two days when we had decent conditions but as I said, I'm not good in very light air and those three days killed me. Guess I'm going to have to learn how to fly in that stuff! Last night we had the awards ceremony with Jony Durand winning the flex wing division. Certainly can't say that he didn't deserve it. Jony's an incredibly accomplished pilot and even though I said that luck is involved in doing well on the crappy days, somehow he is ALWAYS lucky. Go figure?
Tomorrow the Race of Champions starts with the top 30 finishers from the Flytec competing for $10,000. Some of the eligible pilots may not stick around for this comp so there is a slight chance that I might get to play. Not that I would expect to do well in that group but it might be fun to try.
Ill let you know!
Paul
Flytec Final
Moderator: CHGPA BOD