CD's Report
 Twenty
two of the twenty four entries (a UK glider competition record) checked in
on a misty Saturday morning. Dunstable provided two K21 gliders and the
contingent of RAF pilots brought one of their own. After a thorough briefing
on local airspace, competition box and safety issues the day was spent
drinking tea and waiting for the weather to clear to an acceptable minimum
cloud-base of 3,000ft for a shortened programme. This having not made itself
available, the day's flying was formally scrubbed at 4:00pm.
Following an excellent meal and social
evening the weather continued to allow all to recover from the effect of an
hour less sleep as the clocks went forward overnight. By lunchtime on Sunday
it became obvious that when the improving weather actually arrived we would
then not have enough time to fly all competitors. A generous gesture (!) by
the unlimited brigade to withdraw allowed the fifteen remaining sportsman
pilots who were eligible for the Dan Smith Memorial Trophy to fly. The
competition thus eventually started at 3:00pm and was completed by sunset,
with just two pilots needing to re-fly due to cloud in the box (and one was
the winner...!)
During an informal prize-giving in the bar
the CD (yours truly) thanked all for their patience, the London Gliding Club
for it's support, and Chief Judge Dick Happs and his team for their
perseverance and good humour. Chairman Ben Ellis presented the Dan Smith
Memorial Trophy to Stewart Otterburn (see photo above) and the appropriate
BAeA medals as the results below indicate.
Ray Stoward
Contest Director |
