Monday - July 21, 2003

I still had to be out at the field early today as I was fullfilling my obligation to help time and call for Steve Meyer in the HLG contest, but it was somewhat of a break for me as I was not competing.  Steve helped tow in F3J for me, and in return I help him in HLG, it's a good deal for both of us.  It's nice to have good help.

I don't know why these guys have all the bad luck, but the weather did not cooperate again this year for the HLG contest.  At least the rain for the most part missed us, just harassing us with a light sprinkle in the morning.  Overcast, cold, windy, but there were thermals moving through, sometimes rather quickly.  Marc Gellart was back again this year to CD the HLG contest, and his experience showed with starting the contest at the right time after the front moved through, and using the appropriate predetermined tasks for the current weather at hand.

Six rounds were flown, with a break for lunch mid way through the contest.  The pace of the contest was relaxed, but the flying once on the field was intense.  At times there were many strong small thermals rapidly passing through the flying area, and it was always a judgment call on how far you could take one up before you got too far downwind.  Steve Siebenaler flying an XP-3 and Larry Jolly flew very strong contests.  Joe Wurts was flying a Taboo designed by Oleg Golovidov with 5.5 oz. of ballast in it, and won every round except his first. 

Joe was really in my ear about getting back into contesting HLG, it sure looked like the guys were having fun.  It certainly got me thinking about it again.

The results of HLG can be seen here:  2003 HLG Nationals Scores

2003 Nationals Picture Gallery