CD’s report The Tiger Club Icicle Trophy was first presented in 1968 and
is familiarly known as the hamster-run, for reasons which are obvious when
you see it. Traditionally the contest is the first event of the season,
which one assumes is the reason for its wintry name. There is no record
either of why “surprise” crept into the title: was it the fact that the
event comprises solely unknown sequences, or that early sponsors presented
surprise awards for the winners? (Deck chairs, whisky and engine oil have
been previous surprise awards).
That this year was cold was no surprise, that we nearly
did not have fuel was a surprise, that the cloudbase rose from 300 to 3000
feet between the preliminary briefing and the second cup of coffee caught
several by surprise, but that there were no weather interruptions thereafter
was certainly a surprise.
Seven each flew at Intermediate and Advanced between 1320
and 1540, about as many judged two particularly interesting sequences under
the cold command of Chairman Ben Ellis, local ATC Steve Rusling upheld his
promise to repel all (except one) alien aircraft, Jen Buckenham travelled
from overseas to tickle the ivories as competently as ever, and newcomer
Kevin Heap attended in his capacity as Honorary Photographer accompanied by
his partner Lynn, who then kindly awarded the trophies.
Speaking of which, the Nigel Newbold Memorial Trophy
passed from Tim Jenkinson (now at Advanced Level) to Intermediate winner Rob
Howarth with 67% (in Tim’s S1), and the Icicle Trophy passed from four times
holder Tom Cassells to Kester Scrope with 66% in his beautifully transformed
Extra 300S.
But still more surprises were to follow: ex champion Tom
Cassells, anticipating abandonment due to weather, had arrived post-briefing
thus disqualifying himself, but negotiated a judged flight after the contest
and surprised no-body by topping all others’ scores with 79%, particularly
commendable because for part of his display he shared the box with a passing
muppet. Yours truly as CD judged this as meriting The Surprise: a book on
how to build paper aeroplanes.
I left at 1600, and met the forecast weather front on the
M18 ten minutes later. We just made it: thankyou everybody.
Eric Marsh
Contest Director |