Hi all,
The results of the 4 Minute Free are now published and they put Zach
Heffley in first place, Ramon Alonso in second and Renaud Ecalle in
third. Mark was in 8th place, which given that his aeroplane has less
performance than his rivals is a good result. The first three placed
pilots each flew quite different programmes. Zach΄s flight was
explosive, full of dramatic tumbles and really made some of the
experienced pilot onlookers gasp. Ramon flew a very well choreographed
flight that was matched to his music very well. Renaud flew a
technically amazing flight full of low speed manoeuvres flown right in
front of the judges, using lots of yawing and gyroscopic tricks. He also
has an aeroplane with burgundy metallic paint and it really sparkled
brightly and glinted as the sunlight caught the movements - very
beautiful to watch.Some of the pilots who flew
the 4 minute programme elected to fly a mainly Aresti based sequence.
Since there is no fixed schedule of figures that have to be performed
during the flight they were entitled to do this. Usually, the 4 minute
Free is flown at the end of the competition and the classical aerobatic
programmes (Free, Unknown 1, Unknown 2) have usually been completed. At
this competition, with the second Unknown still to be flown, pilots that
did not specialise in the 4 minute free wanted to fly the programme so
that they could get additional box time, practice and sustain their
G-tolerance. There was also a risk that flying an aggressive 4 minute
Free could lead to mechanical problems with an aeroplane and that could
eliminate one or more pilots from the main competition. So I think there
are a number of consequences to moving the 4 minute programme earlier in
the schedule that need to be considered before a similar change is
agreed in the future. But that is an issue for CIVA to resolve.
Tomorrow we start the second Unknown. Its a relatively
high K sequence (just over 400K) which at least gives those pilots who
are not in first place at the moment the chance to make-up some ground.
It will also make the Team Medals more interesting because there are
only 300 points separating the third and fifth place team in the men's
contest. There is a lot to play for tomorrow. It will be a nerve racking
day both for those at the top of the interim results who have lots to
loose and those chasing them who want to secure more points and win
individual or team medals.
There has been a really positive, friendly spirit
between the pilots on the flight line. Everyone wants a fair competition
and to award the medals to those pilots who fly best and rightly deserve
the medals. So we wish all of the pilots flying tomorrow good luck -
each of them have worked very hard to secure the opportunity to fly at
WAC and are incredibly gifted pilots. However, we do perhaps wish
slightly more luck to the British Team.
Game on!
More tomorrow.
Best wishes,
Steve |
