CD's Report
My recollection when I was flying was that the CD had a rather easy time of it; no competition pressure, swanning around the airfield, a free lunch and as much coffee as required etc. etc. and anyway I spent most of my time managing large numbers of people in business so it should be easy (shouldn't it?). Friday was 3 beginners and Saturday 12 standard (down from the usual 30 or so).
A very wet start from home at 06.45 on Friday followed by a 4½ hour drive (only an hour by plane but the runway was not long enough for my twin) did not bode well for my first competition as Contest Director; maybe it was going to be one of those "let's wait another hour or two to see if it clears" type of competitions.
As it turned out all 3 Beginners were completed on Friday and we managed to fit in a second unknown on Saturday for those that wanted to and still be away by 15.00!!
Richard Buchan, Peter Borchert and Sam Whatmough strutted their stuff at Beginners, and Richard (it's only for fun) pipped the other two at the post and promptly bought a few rounds in the clubhouse. The evening saw a few beers and some wine followed by 4 hours of partygoers at the Red Lion (I should have joined them in the end for all the sleep I got!!). One interesting little ditty I did learn though .... the local lads do like a certain Yellow Aston that John Paulson has .... but did they have to talk about it at 02.00 outside my bedroom!
Most competitors flew in early on Saturday; mainly clear skies. We were inundated in Judges (as many as those competing). Ben Ellis was assisted by 11 other Judges for the day!! (too many to mention); Alan C and Corrine
Dennis did a sterling job tapping away at the computer given the absence of Jen B.
After the known the first four places were with T67Ms; Steve Kirton led the field with Andy Kilvington and Alex Smith hot on his tails. But as we all know the unknowns sort out the men
from the boys (politically correct in this instance) and at the end of the Unknown the position had changed. Steve Kirton had dropped to 5th place and Peter Borchert, just outside the medals, had climbed from 8th to 4th. In 3rd was Steve Lofthouse (Yak52 ) behind Roy Nicholson (T67M), last year's winner, in 2nd. This left Alex Smith at 74.431%
in his T67M the 2003 winner of the McLean Trophy. After presentations and thanks to Steve Rustkin of Sandtoft four flew a 2nd unknown and we departed home. A great day out. Here's to next year. And as for being CD? Yes it was fun and you do get a lovely breakfast dished up straight after briefing (thanks to Sue behind the bar) .... there are some compensations!
Patrick Margetson-Rushmore
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