Fortunately local knowledge of the field combined with the weather report allowed the launch line to be extended to accommodate all 7 teams, but at less than 15 metre spacing, we agreed not to fly 10 minutes working times with mass starts & landings: opting instead for 12 minutes working time. To ensure a quick turnaround, preparation time was reduced to 3 minutes. Also, although pilots briefing was scheduled for 08h30, my late start saw this end at 09h05 & first slot started promptly at 09h20 (and only 20 minutes later than advertised).
The overall event ran like clockwork: all pilots knowing what needed to be done in an extremely good humoured way & the natural HTL process of friends, fun & competition allowed for smooth transition between slots/rounds. I am not aware of any incidents involving competing pilots, although John Monk did seem to loose reception on his OD 2M craft during his first slot, but managed to recover it shortly after the launch & some hair-raising antics. Alan Drew also arrived at the field, but his Shongololo's left flap was not working & he elected not to compete. During a practice flight he performed a down-wind landing & snapped the v-tail.
Overall the conditions were superb, comments of "this is why we stay in SA" were heard! Now, there were thermals all around, these had to be worked fairly well & for some time before being released, and I was aware of at least two or three slots where the sink was evil. I reckon the conditions would have been close to European perfect if only it had been sleeting/raining. 
After four rounds, we slacked off for a 30 min lunch (thanks to Martie), but the horrid CD soon had everyone back onto their feet before the afternoon sun & siesta could take firm hold (for some, it was too late after the 30 minutes - I promised not to mention Izak's name regarding this). The scores were captured throughout the day after each round scores; with the result that the rankings were available approx. 15 minutes after the last flight. I allowed some gremlins into the spreadsheet's scoring table, & it was particularly the new F3J 20cm rules of scores awarded up to the mark that resulted in a small change from the provisional results announced at the field compared to the audited values - the existing sheet cutting off on the mark!
Anyway, The 2010 SA Snr F3J National Team were awesome. Chris & Craig were joint first with 1000 point (max) throwaways. Eish! At only 2 points behind (due to that evil sink after lunch), Paul with 4,998 was 2nd. The SA Juniors, Johan Bruwer replacing Ryan (who elected to enjoy the warm KZN weather for the weekend) were second, showing what these youngsters are made from. Our sincerest wishes go out to these for the WC in France. later this year.
The round by round results can be enlarged by clicking on the image below:
Thanks to everyone that made the day so enjoyable & a special mention to:
- The WHRF club members & its committee for permitting us exclusive use of their field for the day
- Martie for the catering
- Volney for traveling from New Zealand to compete (although I suspect he had other motives)
- Gert, for risking life & limb against unroadworthy taxis / speedcops from Secunda
- All the moms that brought along their new babies to expose them to the sweet joy of HTL
- Everyone who took part, helped, had fun!
- The weather bureau
The next event will be published through the usual channels.
Fly safely
 hosted the 4 th installment of the 2010 Thermal League competitio...){kind=link}