Wow, just like buses, 3 reports came along at the same time, thanks guys!!!

Thanks have to go to Peter for stepping in and running the event at short notice, maybe we should rotate the organisers hat so that others can get a feel for this side of the competition as well. It certainly does not seem to affect the individual's results.

Dave's report

Sat 16^th Feb saw the second last round of the winter league take place.

The venue was East Lomond. 7 competitors turned up on a cold and frosty morning.

Peter Gunning was CD for the day as Ron Russell decided to have the day off to let someone else win! The wind was a fairly fresh South Westerly, with some cloud cover at times, mist could be seen on the "Bishop" but fortunately it stayed there most of the day. The comp got underway with most competitors getting times in the mid 50's  during the first two rounds. Robert Carson being the exception getting times of 47 seconds with his Cobra Calypso. The following rounds proved to be competitive between Peter and Dave with their Race M's  who were both getting consistent fast times for the conditions.  Unfortunately throughout the day several pilots dropped out due to various problems with their planes. David Loomes had elevator failure with his Mini Dragon. Luckly the resulting crash did not cause too much damage but he also had problems with his Compact. (he should have put his makeup on before leaving the house) Robert Carson loosened the nose in his Cobra on landing while Dave Watson damaged an aileron linkage.   During the last two round  the air became more buoyant and Peter Gunning  managed to pull out the stops to get the fastest times of the day .

Most spectacular landing was by Ian Stewart who managed to land  out of site at the very top of the hill and only break both wing joiners.

Peter's report

After one 4 round event, a 5 round event and a cancellation, it was a great relief that competition day was sunny and clear with WSW winds predicted at between 9 and 12mph.

RR reply ( It has to be remembered that the low round events were due to weather rather than anything else and if you cast your mind back to the 5 rounder it was stopped because of the extreme cold, or were you too numb to remember how much you were shiverring)?

With only 4 people at first we thought that there may be a lot of running around to do between flights until the west coast contingent arrived to make up a fair crowd of 7. When we reached the top of East Lomond it was better than forecast, 12-15mph and straight on for the straightest edge of the hill.
The race M's were going well with Peter's taking round 1 with a 50.2 second run and Dave Watson taking rounds 2 & 3 with a 49.98 and a 48.17. Robert Carson also flew a sub-50 in round 3 and won Round 4 with a sizzling 47.63s run proving that the Calypso Cobra quite likes East Lomond and can be real quick in the right conditions. Dave Watson was hot on Roberts
heels with both Race M and Sting and won round 5 with the Race M and a 48.67 with Ian Stewart second with a 50.14. At the half way stage Dave Watson and Robert Carson were leading the way with Peter's Race M not too far behind.

Ian Simpson was not having a great day with his Pike.

Ian Stewart was showing flashes of speed and creeping up the rankings.

George flying very smoothly and improving each round.

David Loomes' Valenta Mini Dragon 60" model was interesting, very light and none too shabby in the speed stakes, however, there was not quite enough wind to get the theWizard into its sweet spot.
Round 6 turned out to be carnage with Robert Carson winning another round with a 49.07 then dislodging a flap servo and retiring which was a shame as he was on form. Peter took second with a 49.07 and a much improved Skorpion after ditching his new trendy snap flap programme as it was crap! In round 7 Dave Watson knocked a Race M aileron servo on the ground and stripped a quick link and had to retire the leading glider, David Loomes lost elevator control of his Mini Dragon and hit the hill but the model is tough and remained undamaged but retired.

Peter's Skorpion took round 7 and FTD with 47.08 and round 8 with a 50.1 with Dave's sting close behind with a 50.63. Ian Stewart survived a top of the hill landing unscathed to battle on and record a very respectable 48.1 in round 9, George Young also went sub-50 for the first time with a solid 49.51.

Some great air came through for the last pilot of the day and Peter scored a pair of 45 second runs with the Race M in rounds 9 & 10 to seal a rare win with his skorpion coming in second, Dave Watson?s Sting was third and Ian Stewart's Acacia fourth.
So it was a Race of two halves with Race M's on top Dave and Robert showing well early on and Peter finishing strongly once the competition had retired!

The league leader, Ron was sadly not present due to illness and the result opens up a slight glimmer of hope for Peter and Dave in the League for the first time in many years despite the mildly dodgy 4 round result of WL 2.

Lets hope for a good turn out and a stonking 10 rounder at Bishop for the climax of the winter league.
 

George's report

It is a pity you didn't make it along to East Lomond last Saturday because conditions were pretty good for a winter event.

28 to 30 MPH wind coming from the SSW and only slightly off the slope. Typical of this slope the lift was a bit variable at times despite the wind being fairly constant.
It was pretty cold up there and warm clothing was essential. Peter forgot his secret weapon of warm gloves with holes cut in them but was able to borrow some from Ian Simpson. Not sure what the times were like because I was so wrapped up I couldn't hear what the CD was shouting after each leg. I didn't even hear my own when I was standing next to
him! I was quite cosy though!
David Loomes had a wee event with his Mini Dragon when he lost elevator control at the A pylon but I don't think the model suffered too badly. Ian Stewart's Acacia escaped serious damage too when he had a bit of an arrival.
Although Peter won I thought I heard that Robert Carson almost had the FTD with his Cobra.( Until Peter spoiled his day in the last 2 rounds).

Considering the time of year I think we were lucky with the weather and I had an enjoyable day out.
Please feel free to use any of the above ramblings as part of the event report.