There are the usual stories of triumph and disaster affecting pilots from all countries. Steve and Jules both want to put the clock back 24 hours. I'd rather put it forward 48 or 72 so as to see the plane home with a bit less waiting around.

Maybe another nature safari tomorrow, or a speed boat, or something else that this rather empty bit of civilisation can offer. I thought about renting a 182 or whatever for a quick trip up to the North Cape, but that seems fraught with bureaucracy.

Final results, final that is assuming no last-minute protests, are all available via the link at the top of the page. To see individual sequence results, click on the sequence name at the top of the darker blue bar.

Cheers

Hey!
Nothing really to report today except Julian's departure and the scores going "official" on the website. So I presume that there have been no protests, or that any such have been fully resolved.

As I think I mentioned earlier, Julian's son broke his arm badly a week or so ago. He has since been in and out of hospital for a couple of orthopaedic procedures. Understandably, Julian decided to take advantage of the early completion of the event to get back on the long road home this morning. I have heard that he is now safely arrived in Southern Sweden, where he will overnight before setting off again for UK tomorrow.

I'm sure the WW crowd will give him a great welcome when he arrives, hopefully some time Saturday afternoon.

I have been particularly impressed by the determination shown by Julian and Steve in preparing for and trekking to this rather distant event. It has, of course, been a baptism of fire, as first international events always are. But they have been good ambassadors for British aerobatics, very good sports, and they have gained a great deal of valuable experience.

Despite leaving here empty handed, as it were, I'm sure their domestic performances will improve as a result, and I hope they will be able to get to more events abroad in the future.

We did some sight-seeing again today, including a visit to the only ski-lift in S Finland. There we found an a rather baffling tradition of filling a summer meadow (winter piste) with hats on sticks. Presumably treasure trove from below the tele-siege after the thaw. Perhaps people come during the summer to collect their lost property...

For myself, I am pleased to have placed third in two sequences and have had the satisfaction of having finished ahead of all the other pilots in one sequence or another. I do understand more now about the limitations in presentation of the relatively cumbersome Extra 300 when flying against higher performance aircraft with crisper rolling characteristics, such as the CAP231, Edge 540T and the Ultimate300 so well demonstrated by Sami Kontio.

Wouldn't it be nice for some kind donor to buy the BAeA a couple of 231s to form the basis of an Advanced Team? Now where would I get that idea from....

One final picture today, especially for Phil Atley. This has been a regular feature in the car park by the hangar...
Kitosh
 

Hello for the Last Time from Finland
Its the morning after and everything here is finished bar the airshow today which we are all about to miss because of homeward travel plans. It has been a well-run, good-natured, bijou little event compared with the larger World competitions. The big question for the organisers will revolve around their financial situation.

Last night the ceremony was reasonably brief and this morning we will all part as friends. Now I must off to breakfast. My last image of the trip is from the awards ceremony (above).

See some of you I expect next Saturday...
Alan