| Against the background of a somewhat
fraught weather system that continually offered not the greatest hope of a
successful conclusion, the 2001 British National Unlimited and Advanced
Championships nevertheless ran the full course of programmes-1to -3 at
both levels and hence for once provided a "full-house"
conclusion at the UK's penultimate competition of the year. Whilst the
unlimited field ran to just three competitors after the rest of a rather
slender entry fell away for one reason or another, the advanced brigade
were present in force and should perhaps have presented a sterner
challenge. In each case however successful 2001 champions Alan Cassidy and
Mark Jefferies dominated their respective classes, leaving the rest to
play catch-up for the silver and bronze slots. In the advanced class the
Free programme-1 results also provided the winner for the abandoned Don
Henry Trophy from Compton Abbas, master Jefferies hence having another
Good Day!.
The assembled company having completed
the Aresti honours with just under an hour remaining before the latest
possible Saturday close of play, the 4-minute free-style David Perrin
Trophy attracted six entrants - of whom four advanced competitors were in
effect there only for the fun of it, the DP Trophy being awarded each year
strictly to unlimited pilots. In the event two pilots were disqualified by
the contest management for failure to sufficiently observe the stipulated
minimum height and crowd-line requirements, leaving Alan Cassidy the
delighted victor from advanced men Mark and Dave Kaberry.
Eric Marsh's contest direction was as
usual positive but strict, Chief Judge Steve Green's high-class line-up
comprised the delightful Svetlana and Khalide from Russia, Quintin Hawthorne from South
Africa, and Graham Hill, Ben Ellis and Nick B from home shores, while Jen
B rattled the ivories and produced the results, the Northampton School of
Flying provided the briefing accommodation plus hot drinks, sarnies and
shelter from the elements, Sywell's lovely airfield once again provided
the ideal backdrop, and lots of good people helped to make it all work.
Roll-on the final event of the
season at Sherburn in a couple of weeks.
Nick B |
