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3 members of the Fife Soarers made the extremely long trip to South Wales for our second event in the F3f Euro Tour 2007. Wales suffers from an overabundance of excellent flying slopes, I wish we in Scotland were suffering from the same problem.
The event was scheduled for 3 days of competition and had an entry of 50 contestants from as far away as Spain, Germany, Czech Republic and Hong Kong, yes many of the Viking Race competitors were there. My wife made the trip down with us to meet up with the other countries fliers and say hello.
DAY 1. All fliers were requested to be on top of the hill by 8.15 a.m. each day so that the correct site could be accessed and the course set up and competition underway as early as possible. As ever, these plans are prone to be upset by the weather, this time rain and low cloud meant that we all sat in our cars for the first morning waiting on the good flyable air to come through. Eventually it did and we were underway in lightish conditions. Only one round was flown that day as the wind swung through 90 degrees making the course unflyable and not leaving any time to move to another slope.
DAY 2. Better weather, same early start but light winds on the slope known as the Back of the Wrecker. Thermal activity throughout the day meant that you could be fortunate and get the really good air, or you could be unfortunate and fly in what felt like soup. The Scots lads did not really fair all that well on either of these days, just did not get the breaks that are necessary for good times. 4 rounds were completed on day 2 and it felt as though we had a competition underway.
DAY 3. Big winds and back on to the same slope as day 1, I started to feel at home in these conditions, unfortunately after the first round of the day the winds started to pick up and went above the legal limit for F.A.I. competitions meaning that the 7th round was cancelled for safety reasons. the clubs insurance would only cover them for legal wind speeds so they were obliged to call a halt to the proceedings. They were frustrated, we were frustrated and it meant that our best times and obviously higher scores would not be counted in the competition. Shame really, we had had some wonderful flying in the weeks leading up to this event and were just starting to feel at home when it all ground to a halt.
As ever it was the weather that blew the competition away, but it was not only the Scots who suffered, there were many big names down the field as well. It just means that next time I for one will be trying that wee bit harder.
The organisation was superb as always when we travel to Wales, the accommodation was lovely, friendly and relaxing. in the evenings. The feeding stations and hostelries were within walking distance, what more could we have asked for.It is an event we will return to next year as is the one at the Hole of Horcum in North Yorkshire. I think we all came away with plans for next years models, I do know of 2 that were ordered at the event.
Who knows we may make sure that there is a Euro Tour event up here next year.
So here are some links to tasters from this event:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb2FnB81oLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtWMKsuGiw8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwl_fveIMd8 | 
