I won my first RC soaring competition!!!!

Something clicked today and I managed to win every round (six), and ended up throwing out a 1000. This did not feel real. The competition was very tough as usual, similar to the DLG class at the GDSHS. My new Volo F5J 4m was flying very nicely after spending some considerable time reprogramming radio to make it more simple with Larry Markey over the past week. It weighs 47 ounces dry, but for most of the day I flew with 6 ounces of ballast to manage the breeze aloft. My CG was fairly aft 105mm. This felt perfect. It was a breezy day again, 10-15ish, with much stronger winds aloft. The thermals were strong when you found them and there were ample cumulus clouds, but the sink was equally strong and perhaps more relevant. With the North wind direction ridges were more difficult to find and the typical south ridge (tree line) was well downwind.

Scores and photos below…

Ned’s Report (CD) from Club Google Group

June 13, 2021,

Good Evening Pilots – Wow, what a day.  We ended up having 13 pilots flying today. Due to the last minute change we did lose two pilots that would have otherwise flown. The contest conditions were certainly breezier than anticipated. Early in the day it was a matter of launching high and holding on.  If you did attempt to circle you  found yourself on an express train headed downwind.  As the day progressed there was more thermalling to be had.  Landings were tough because of the bubbling air down low.  We set up to launch to the NNW and late in the day there was a shift to the NW.  We flew 3 rounds, took a break and then flew the remaining 3 rounds.  The original intention was to fly 7 rounds but a combination of attrition and tired pilots led to the decision to end the contest after 6 rounds.  At the end of the day it was Sean Fidler who bested the field with a top score of 5000 points.  In second place was John Ferguson with 4770 points and rounding out the top three was Ted Flack with 4545 points.  You can review the scores for the entire contest on Gliderscore, the link to which is HERE. Follow the link and you will see a drop down box, click on the drop down, look at today’s day, scroll down and you will find: GDSHS F5J Contest 2 (Addison Oaks). I want to thank everyone for helping to make the contest run smoothly.  Thanks to those that helped with the Easy Ups, the landing tapes, and the rest.  We used the field clock for the first time without issue.  There is a little bit of fine tuning still to be done and then we’ll be set. I had several pilots tell me how helpful it was to be able to glance over at the clock to view the remaining working time.  Again, thanks to everyone for coming out to fly and making this another great contest day.
Cheers,
Ned